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ROXAS City: Former undersecretary Jocelyn
“Joc-joc” Bolante of the Department of Agriculture is running
for congressman in the Second District of Capiz.
Sources close to Bolante said the
former Cabinet official would run under the ticket of President
Arroyo’s party, the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Records from the Commission on
Elections (Comelec) show that Bolante is a registered and active
voter at Precinct 0054 with affidavit registration 07614458 in
Poblacion Ilaya, Dao, Capiz, where he voted in the past elections.
The source said Bolante, now
detained in the United States due to an expired visa, is expected to
return to the country on or before March 29, 2007—the last day of
the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the May 14 election.
If the plan pushes through,
Bolante will be facing two-termer Rep. Fredenil Castro, also an ally
of the President.
Kampi was recently organized in
Capiz led by its provincial chairman, Vice-Mayor Alan Celino of
Roxas City. About 30 local leaders from Capiz took allegiance with
Kampi during the party’s convention at the Manila Hotel last week.
“Bolante wants to be sure that
there will be no obstacles [to his political plan] upon his return
to the country,” the source added.
Bolante is wanted by the Senate
Committee on Agriculture to shed light on the P728-million
fertilizer funds. So far, no case has been filed against him.
The fertilizer funds were
allegedly used for the campaign of President Arroyo in the 2004
presidential election.
--Panay News
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