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By Ruben D. Manahan, 4th Reporter
A recent survey showed that 76 percent of Filipinos do not believe
that former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante
is telling the truth about the so-called fertilizer-fund scam and
fear that the Congressional investigations would amount to nothing.
These were the results of the survey Pulso ng
Pilipino (Pulse of the Filipino) conducted by The Issues and
Advocacy Center, center director Ed Malay said Sunday in a weekly
media forum. He is also a political adviser of former President
Fidel Ramos and is a member of the World Association for Public
Opinion Research.
The survey polled 1,200 respondents using
face-to-face interview of adult voters nationwide from November 17
to 20.
Also, 83 percent of the respondents said they
believe the First Couple is involved in the scam, and only 17
percent do not believe the allegations.
The survey also showed that 60 percent suspect
that Agriculture Arthur Yap is linked to the alleged scam, while 36
percent does not think that he is connected to the issue.
About 44 percent said former Agriculture
Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr., who was chief of the Agriculture
department when the alleged scam took place, is also connected to
the issue. Only 43 percent said they believe otherwise.
In the same survey, 66 percent said the ongoing
investigation into the alleged scam would lead nowhere, as “the
Senate and House of Representatives are filled with
pro-administration solons.”
The survey has a plus or minus 3 percent margin
error.
Bolante is tagged as the “architect” of the
fertilizer scam, which allegedly diverted P728-million to the 2004
campaign of President Gloria Arroyo from funds intended to buy
fertilizers for farmers. Bolante has denied the charges, and remains
in custody of the Senate, which is investigating the issue.
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