Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap Thursday supported the decision of his former boss at the Departure of Agriculture Luis "Cito" Lorenzo to become a state witness on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Yap, who served as an undersecretary during Lorenzo's term at the Department of Agriculture, said he respects the decision of his predecessor, encouraging him to testify even against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the controversial
fund scam.

"I respect the man so I believe he knows what he wants to do so let's just support him whatever his decision is," Yap told reporters before the orientation for neophyte congressmen at the Batasan Complex, Quezon City.

Lorenzo was the head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who approved the P728-million budget intended to fund farmers' fertilizers but was allegedly diverted to fund the reelection bid of former President Arroyo in the 2004 Presidential elections.

Earlier this week, Lorenzo came back to the country signifying his intent to become a state witness against his former boss after receiving threats against his life. The former Cabinet official lived in the United States of America immediately after his stint in the DA.

Meanwhile, Yap said he would not be implicated in the fertilizer fund scam while promising to cooperate with the Truth Commission or other government agencies in the investigation.

"I was not part in the Department of Agriculture at that time in the sense that I do not hold a plantilla position. In fact, he pulled me out from NFA (National Food Authority) to help him out as undersecretary. That was my only role during his term," he said.

"I'm always cooperative of any government agency. When I was still undersecretary of agriculture, all files needed regarding that case, we surrendered and we attended all the hearings called by the House and Senate,” he said.

In 2004, Yap was one of the youngest to be appointed to the Cabinet of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as agriculture secretary.