Door still open for Joc-joc, Cito to turn state witnesses By Angie M. Rosales 04/18/2011

ONLY REQUIREMENT FOR THEM IS TO TELL TRUTH — SANTIAGO

Door still open for Joc-joc, Cito to turn state witnesses

By Angie M. Rosales 04/18/2011

Forrmer Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo and his undersecretary, Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, can still turn themselves as state witnesses despite the filing of plunder charges against them in connection with the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago yesterday said, adding that the two will only “have to tell the truth” should they opt to turn themselves state witnesses.

“They can still apply as state witnesses so that the charges against them can be dropped on condition that they will testify against their co-accused. We don’t observe any deadline in the application for a state witness. They only have to pinpoint among their colleagues the real culprit,” she said.

President Aquino, meanwhile, urged both Lorenzo and Bolante to exercise their best judgment on their current predicament. “It has been a long time since the event that led to the accusations against them but they can still reflect on what they ought to do,” Aquino added..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110418hed1.html