Bolante asks for bail

September 1, 2006 at 6:22 pm

Former Agriculture Secretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, who has been in detention in the United States since July 7, has filed for bail, reported lawyer Harry Roque who has filed an opposition to granting bail and asylum to Bolante with the U.S. court.
Roque said his US-based colleague, Maria Carmen Madrid-Crost informed him that Bolante’s motion for bail will be heard on September 13, 2006 at 2PM at the Basement of 500 Jackson, Chicago, Il.
To support their opposition for Bolante’s provisional liberty, Roque said they sent today by courier to Karen Lundgren, Chief Counsel of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, through Mary Carmen Madrid-Crost, an authenticated copy of the Senate report on the fertilizer scam, a copy of the COA report on the scam, a copy of the Senate warrant of arrest issued against him which is still outstanding, and copies of the criminal complaints filed against him by former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez and by Sinag, headed by Dr. Minggita Padilla.“Ms. Lundgren’s office represents the US Government and acts as oppositor to whatever relief Joc-Joc may ask. Even if Joc-joc’s motion for bail is granted, Ms. Lundgren’s office could still appeal such an Order and consequently, Mr. Bolante would still be detained pending such an appeal,” Roque said.
Bolante has been detained since July 7, 2006 when he attempted to enter the US without a valid tourist/business visa. He is currently in detention together with common criminals at the Kenosha Rehabilitation Center in Wisconsin, about an hour and half from Chicago.
Bolante’s application for bail comes at the same time when his family had just requested “humanitarian” assistance from the Philippine Government to procure what they alleged was “specialized” medical treatment even as he continued to invoke his ‘right to privacy” when it comes to details of of his case.
Roque, who is director of the Institute of International legal Studies at the University of the Philippines Law Center, said they interpret Bolante’s request for humanitarian assistance as a transfer to a better detention facility, a hospital, rather than in the jail where he currently is.
“We reiterate our previous observation that consular assistance in this regard is unnecessary since all he has to do is to consult the physician at the facility, or ask his expensive lawyers to file the appropriate motion with the immigration court,” Roque said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are obliged to assist Bolante because they are required by law to help distressed Filipinos overseas.
Roque said DFA’s collusion with Bolante to keep details behind his apprehension a secret from the Filipino people, “should now end since not only is Mr. Bolante’s continued evasion of the wheels of justice a matter of public interest; the provision of consular services to him now means that public funds are now being spent on him.”
Roque further said, “To date, Joc-joc has insisting on closed door proceedings for his ‘master calendar hearing’ because this is where he will publicly ask for his relief, which could only be for asylum or adjustment of status by reason of an approved immigrant/investors visa.”