I learned from Senator Richard Gordon today that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is set to revive the investigations into the brutal murder of Mindanaoan journalist Marlene Esperat. Esperat, who exposed an alleged illegal procurement of P432 Million worth of fertilizers, was slain in her own home in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao by an assassin who later on reportedly confessed that he was hired by two officials in the Department of Agriculture – Central Mindanao. What really dismayed me was the fact that she was even gunned down in front of her own children.
“This time we will investigate why a resident Ombudsman in the Agriculture Department in Mindanao was killed because she wanted to expose an anomaly. So far, the case has made some progress in courts but the masterminds have never been revealed,” Senator Gordon said.
“The anomaly allegedly involves as much as 460 million pesos involved, it was done by certain personalities, and the person who wanted to expose it was killed. This is what badly needs to be investigated,” he added.
Hopefully, with these investigations, the public will really know who’s behind the Esperat slay.
In 2003, Esperat filed a graft complaint against Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo Jr., and other officials of the Department of Agriculture.
What can you say about the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s plan to revive investigations on the Esperat case?
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]
