Arrival Statement of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "jocjoc" Bolante

Arrival Statement of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante (October 28, 2008)
Many baseless accusations have been thrown against me these past years. I chose to remain silent but I’ve come to realize that the more I remain silent, the more vicious the accusations have become.
My family and I had to endure the hardships and humiliation attendant to these accusations.
Now that I am back, I assure you that I will answer any and all accusations at the proper forum.
But first I shall seek a medical check-up and treatment due to mainly to the mental and physical stress and ailments brought about due to my detention in the United States.
I had no intention of snubbing the Senate hearings, and I had made known to the Senate in writing the reasons for my non-appearance, that I had made prior commitments abroad which were set long before the scheduled hearings.
In truth and in fact, I committed through counsel in writing to appear before the Senate during the last week of January 2006.
I left the Philippines on December 11, 2005. Shortly thereafter, the Senate issued a warrant for my arrest.
My visa issued by the US was then cancelled, leading to my arrest and detention in the US.
This confirmed my belief that forces from many fronts were out to get me, either in prison or six feet under the ground.
This is not the main reason why I sought for asylum in the US.
It was not for me to escape from liability from the so-called fertilizer anomaly.
It was for my safety and the life of my family who have been unduly dragged into this whole controversy.
But that is behind me now.
Now that I am back, I shall now fulfill my promise of saying my piece, giving my side of the story.
I am ready to face the issues and all the malicious accusations against me.