Who refuted ‘Garci’ tape authentic?
By Leila Salaverria, Jeannette Andrade
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:14:00 05/01/2009
Filed Under: NBN deal, Graft & Corruption, Crime, Politics
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Close this MANILA, Philippines—Who is the liar between the President’s former chief of staff Michael Defensor and whistle-blower Rodolfo Lozada?
This was the question posed by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño Thursday as he came to Lozada’s defense and commended him for making the sacrifices he has made.
Pressed to answer his own question, Casiño replied with more questions. He asked, who had presented a supposed audio expert to refute claims that the “Hello Garci” tapes were authentic? And who claimed that he had rescued witness Eugenio “Udong” Mahusay from a Tagaytay safehouse?
Mahusay was the star witness in the allegations that the President’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, had maintained a secret bank account. Following the alleged rescue, Mahusay recanted his statements against the President’s husband.
Lozada was arrested the other day in connection with the perjury case Defensor filed against him for saying in court that Defensor had told him to deny any anomaly in the deal between the government and China’s ZTE Corp. for a national broadband network project because the President was being hurt.
Moderate the greed
Lozada testified in the Senate last year that the deal was overpriced by $130 million to accommodate hefty commissions and that he was instructed by Romulo Neri, director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, to “moderate the greed” of those vying for the project.
“Compare Mike Defensor with Jun Lozada. Who is the liar?” Casiño said at the Serye forum in Quezon City.
Cover-up for Arroyo
Lozada Thursday slipped a note for members of the media, accusing Defensor of covering up for Ms Arroyo’s involvement in the $329-million NBN-ZTE deal.
“I am now asking Mike Defensor and Malacañang to substantiate the accusations against me and I stand by my words that Mike Defensor is doing this to cover up for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s criminal involvement in the NBN-ZTE deal,” said the note written in big bold letters on a piece of yellow pad paper. It was read by Sr. Estrella Castallone to members of the media.
Lozada said he would not post the P6,000 bail and assured his supporters that he would face all accusations leveled against him.
“I reiterate my stand and my decision is not to surrender but rather it is standing my ground to face my families’ abusers. I value my liberty but I value truth more,” he wrote.
Posturing
Former Cabinet officials twitted Defensor for acting as if he were the victim, and threw their support behind Lozada.
“We call on Mike Defensor to stop posturing as if he is the aggrieved person, even as he was clearly a participant in the cover-up of what became an aborted abduction of Jun Lozada,” the Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) said in a statement.
The group wondered: “What moral values does he hope to impart to his young children with his vain and obstinate defense of injured pride, while participating in the cover-up of gross abuses against our people and our laws?”
The FSGO exhorted the public to express outrage over the arrest and imprisonment of Lozada.
What about Joc-joc, Neri, etc.?
It decried the arrest of Lozada over “flimsy and concocted” perjury charges.
The arrest, the group said, stood in stark contrast with the freedom enjoyed by personalities accused of more serious crimes such as former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos, former NEDA chief Romulo Neri, former Justice Secretary Hernando B. Perez, former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, retired SEC commissioner Jesus Martinez and former PNP comptroller Eliseo de la Paz.
“The minions of the current regime find it all too easy to persecute to the fullest all those who expose its abuses, and oppose its corruption and bad governance,” the FSGO said.
Casiño said people should give credit to Lozada for sacrificing his liberty to make a point about integrity.
“He is willing to be jailed to teach people a lesson in integrity,” he said
Acting skills
But an administration lawmaker, Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez, has a different take on the matter, saying Lozada should be happy that Defensor has given him the media mileage he needs for his alleged bid for the Senate.
“If 15 months from now Lozada will be able to watch the sunset on Manila Bay from his Senate office, he will only have Mike Defensor to thank for. Mike has single-handedly launched the Senate candidacy of a man who was slowly receding into obscurity like a La Sallian monk before Mike thrust him again in front of the TV lights,” Alvarez said in a statement.
He went on to say that Lozada has the chance to show his “dramatic acting skills on prime time” free of charge.
The victim in the whole issue is Defensor, according to Alvarez. He said he understood Defensor’s desire to clear his name for the sake of his children.
Can’t clear name
United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano, however, said he did not think Defensor could clear his name by pursuing the charges against Lozada.
Tamano said at a forum that Defensor’s actions had been described by some as “political suicide” on his part.
The UNO spokesperson added that the events that had arisen from the perjury case had made Lozada a martyr to some and had given the latter a platform to advance his cause.
Supporters and sympathizers of Lozada held Mass at the lobby of the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters on UN Avenue in Manila.
Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay, MPD director, allowed the detained Lozada to hear Mass, officiated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo who lamented the timing of the arrest and attributed it to a “vindictive” government.
Pacquiao-Hatton match
The bishop voiced concern that Lozada’s plight might be forgotten anew with Labor Day and Sunday’s Pacquiao-Hatton match.
Pabillo charged the government of using the justice system in political harassment, citing Lozada’s arrest on a perjury charge as well as another criminal charge filed against the whistle-blower’s wife, Violet. With a report from TJ Burgonio
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
palayain si jun
Free Lozada movement on
NBN-ZTE whistle-blower arrested, won’t post bail
By Allison Lopez, DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:36:00 04/30/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Crime and Law and Justice, Government, Graft & Corruption, NBN deal, Crime
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Free Lozada movement on
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NBN whistleblower arrested
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Ex-Arroyo aide to Lozada: Retract allegations
Lozada talks fears, sadness over ‘injustice’
Senators see Palace hand in Lozada arrest
Cory Aquino appeals for support for Lozada
Roxas unstoppable to fix country
Defensor won’t drop perjury case vs Lozada
Defensor pursuing perjury case vs Jun Lozada
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Close this MANILA, Philippines—The arresting officers of whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada used a “password” Wednesday to gain entry to the La Salle Greenhills campus in Mandaluyong City, where Lozada and his family had been staying under the protection of nuns for more than a year.
The password was “Birthday party sa Cebrero.”
Surrounded by supporters, Lozada was arrested on perjury charges on the strength of a warrant issued by a Manila judge, just one of his 16 legal battles since he blew the whistle on the scrapped National Broadband Network-ZTE deal more than a year ago.
He told a Senate probe last year that the $329-million deal between the government and China’s ZTE Corp. was overpriced by $130 million, way beyond the normal ceilings, to accommodate hefty commissions.
The warrant was based on the charges filed by former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor.
Lozada did not resist arrest and was accompanied by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), in the police car, which took him to the Manila Police District (MPD) for booking, fingerprinting and the taking of mug shots.
No handcuffs
Upon the request of Mananzan, who promised no resistance from any of them, Lozada was not handcuffed.
“My sense of justice is completely shattered,” Lozada told reporters before his arrest at about 3:20 p.m.
The arresting officers from the MPD warrant and subpoena section, Alfredo Valenzuela and Pedro Flores, showed and read to Lozada parts of the arrest warrant issued by Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo, and the Miranda rights.
His lawyer, Jose Manuel Diokno, stood beside him as the officers read him his rights.
Rizal’s image
Earlier in the day, while waiting for the arresting officers, Lozada had worn a white-collared shirt and brown shorts. But by the time the police arrived, he had changed into a black novelty shirt with Jose Rizal’s image and the words “Pepe goes to market.”
In an interview before his arrest, Lozada had said he was prepared to be arrested and would not post bail as a sign of protest. A P6,000 bail had been recommended by the court for his conditional release.
Hours before, Lozada briefly left his quarters to watch one of his young sons play on the school football field, where a soccer event was taking place.
Security was tight at the De La Salle Greenhills campus. Reporters camped out at the compound had to get permission from Lozada’s five-man security team to gain entry. Many of them had been waiting for the arrest since Tuesday evening.
Even the arresting officers had to utter a password before they could enter, said Sr. Estrella Castalone, AMRSP executive secretary.
Password explained
Asked to explain the “Birthday party sa Cebrero” password, Castalone said in jest: “For the sake of art ... Doesn’t it look like a party here?”
A security guard later said “Cebrero” meant Cebrero Hall, a venue for assemblies and meetings in the Brothers House Community Building where Lozada and his family had been staying. But the police officer, who was driving the mobile, refused to confirm if he had used the password to enter the compound.
The officers had to wait about 30 minutes before Lozada came down to meet them since Lozada’s camp wanted Diokno to be with him during the arrest.
Before the arrest, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, former chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee that investigated the NBN-ZTE deal, arrived and talked to Lozada in his quarters on the third floor of the building.
Renato Reyes, secretary general of the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (bayan), also came to support Lozada.
“We want to make sure that every day someone will visit him while he’s detained. Not only to ensure his safety but also to show the public there’s overwhelming support for his cause,” Reyes said.
A van full of AMRSP nuns and other supporters followed the police car, as well as another vehicle with some of Lozada’s family members on their way to the MPD. The service vehicle of the Senate security team also joined the convoy.
Scared
Interviewed by phone while in the police car, Lozada said he was feeling scared and apprehensive as it was the first time that he was being arrested.
He rued that ironically, he was the one being haled to court while the officials who allegedly manipulated the NBN-ZTE contract remained scot-free.
“It’s also sad because only I, among the many who were involved in the deal, am being punished, while FG (the First Gentleman), (former elections chair Benjamin) Abalos are not yet being charged,” he said. Abalos was accused of brokering the deal for ZTE in exchange for a commission. He denied the accusation.
Lozada maintained that he would not post bail for perjury. “This is the only way I can mount a protest that is not against the law,” he said.
Surreal
Upon his arrival at the MPD headquarters on United Nations Avenue, Lozada was immediately hounded by media people, who followed him from his medical checkup at the nearby infirmary to the warrants section where his fingerprints and mug shots were taken.
“It’s my first time here ... it’s surreal,” a red-eyed Lozada told reporters. He said he was treated well by the arresting team.
At past 5 p.m., Chief Insp. Dominador Arevalo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said his men were still waiting if the court would issue a commitment order for Lozada to be moved to the cramped Manila City Jail.
He said that if there was no commitment order by 6 p.m., Lozada would be transferred to the cells of the Detective Jail and Management Section, where people waiting for commitment orders are detained.
Lozada’s supporters, however, protested and were able to convince police officials to let Lozada stay in a small, non-air-conditioned room instead of being placed beside “common criminals.”
Travesty
“It’s a travesty. While Mike Defensor and his family go to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao fight, this man who is telling the truth is going to jail. What arrogance,” said Leah Navarro, a convenor of the Black and White Movement.
Authorities will only allow visitors from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At the MPD, Diokno, Cayetano, Reyes, Rep. Joel Villanueva of Cibac, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, and Manila City legal officer Renato de la Cruz showed their support for Lozada.
Bail money from Mayor Lim
Reyes said Lozada’s supporters from the religious, civic and activist groups may hold vigils outside the MPD to show encouragement for the whistle-blower.
De la Cruz said that Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim had given him P6,000 in cash for Lozada’s bail, but that Lozada declined to use it.
Police allowed Mananzan and Castalone to stay with Lozada in the room for the night. With a report from Dona Pazzibugan
NBN-ZTE whistle-blower arrested, won’t post bail
By Allison Lopez, DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:36:00 04/30/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Crime and Law and Justice, Government, Graft & Corruption, NBN deal, Crime
Most Read Other Most Read Stories x
News
Free Lozada movement on
Failon gives statement to NBI
Cory, Erap, senators, traders air support
NBN whistleblower arrested
Party-list solons hit back at Joker
Ex-Arroyo aide to Lozada: Retract allegations
Lozada talks fears, sadness over ‘injustice’
Senators see Palace hand in Lozada arrest
Cory Aquino appeals for support for Lozada
Roxas unstoppable to fix country
Defensor won’t drop perjury case vs Lozada
Defensor pursuing perjury case vs Jun Lozada
News Most Read RSS
Close this MANILA, Philippines—The arresting officers of whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada used a “password” Wednesday to gain entry to the La Salle Greenhills campus in Mandaluyong City, where Lozada and his family had been staying under the protection of nuns for more than a year.
The password was “Birthday party sa Cebrero.”
Surrounded by supporters, Lozada was arrested on perjury charges on the strength of a warrant issued by a Manila judge, just one of his 16 legal battles since he blew the whistle on the scrapped National Broadband Network-ZTE deal more than a year ago.
He told a Senate probe last year that the $329-million deal between the government and China’s ZTE Corp. was overpriced by $130 million, way beyond the normal ceilings, to accommodate hefty commissions.
The warrant was based on the charges filed by former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor.
Lozada did not resist arrest and was accompanied by Sr. Mary John Mananzan, chair of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), in the police car, which took him to the Manila Police District (MPD) for booking, fingerprinting and the taking of mug shots.
No handcuffs
Upon the request of Mananzan, who promised no resistance from any of them, Lozada was not handcuffed.
“My sense of justice is completely shattered,” Lozada told reporters before his arrest at about 3:20 p.m.
The arresting officers from the MPD warrant and subpoena section, Alfredo Valenzuela and Pedro Flores, showed and read to Lozada parts of the arrest warrant issued by Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo, and the Miranda rights.
His lawyer, Jose Manuel Diokno, stood beside him as the officers read him his rights.
Rizal’s image
Earlier in the day, while waiting for the arresting officers, Lozada had worn a white-collared shirt and brown shorts. But by the time the police arrived, he had changed into a black novelty shirt with Jose Rizal’s image and the words “Pepe goes to market.”
In an interview before his arrest, Lozada had said he was prepared to be arrested and would not post bail as a sign of protest. A P6,000 bail had been recommended by the court for his conditional release.
Hours before, Lozada briefly left his quarters to watch one of his young sons play on the school football field, where a soccer event was taking place.
Security was tight at the De La Salle Greenhills campus. Reporters camped out at the compound had to get permission from Lozada’s five-man security team to gain entry. Many of them had been waiting for the arrest since Tuesday evening.
Even the arresting officers had to utter a password before they could enter, said Sr. Estrella Castalone, AMRSP executive secretary.
Password explained
Asked to explain the “Birthday party sa Cebrero” password, Castalone said in jest: “For the sake of art ... Doesn’t it look like a party here?”
A security guard later said “Cebrero” meant Cebrero Hall, a venue for assemblies and meetings in the Brothers House Community Building where Lozada and his family had been staying. But the police officer, who was driving the mobile, refused to confirm if he had used the password to enter the compound.
The officers had to wait about 30 minutes before Lozada came down to meet them since Lozada’s camp wanted Diokno to be with him during the arrest.
Before the arrest, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, former chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee that investigated the NBN-ZTE deal, arrived and talked to Lozada in his quarters on the third floor of the building.
Renato Reyes, secretary general of the left-leaning Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (bayan), also came to support Lozada.
“We want to make sure that every day someone will visit him while he’s detained. Not only to ensure his safety but also to show the public there’s overwhelming support for his cause,” Reyes said.
A van full of AMRSP nuns and other supporters followed the police car, as well as another vehicle with some of Lozada’s family members on their way to the MPD. The service vehicle of the Senate security team also joined the convoy.
Scared
Interviewed by phone while in the police car, Lozada said he was feeling scared and apprehensive as it was the first time that he was being arrested.
He rued that ironically, he was the one being haled to court while the officials who allegedly manipulated the NBN-ZTE contract remained scot-free.
“It’s also sad because only I, among the many who were involved in the deal, am being punished, while FG (the First Gentleman), (former elections chair Benjamin) Abalos are not yet being charged,” he said. Abalos was accused of brokering the deal for ZTE in exchange for a commission. He denied the accusation.
Lozada maintained that he would not post bail for perjury. “This is the only way I can mount a protest that is not against the law,” he said.
Surreal
Upon his arrival at the MPD headquarters on United Nations Avenue, Lozada was immediately hounded by media people, who followed him from his medical checkup at the nearby infirmary to the warrants section where his fingerprints and mug shots were taken.
“It’s my first time here ... it’s surreal,” a red-eyed Lozada told reporters. He said he was treated well by the arresting team.
At past 5 p.m., Chief Insp. Dominador Arevalo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said his men were still waiting if the court would issue a commitment order for Lozada to be moved to the cramped Manila City Jail.
He said that if there was no commitment order by 6 p.m., Lozada would be transferred to the cells of the Detective Jail and Management Section, where people waiting for commitment orders are detained.
Lozada’s supporters, however, protested and were able to convince police officials to let Lozada stay in a small, non-air-conditioned room instead of being placed beside “common criminals.”
Travesty
“It’s a travesty. While Mike Defensor and his family go to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao fight, this man who is telling the truth is going to jail. What arrogance,” said Leah Navarro, a convenor of the Black and White Movement.
Authorities will only allow visitors from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
At the MPD, Diokno, Cayetano, Reyes, Rep. Joel Villanueva of Cibac, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, and Manila City legal officer Renato de la Cruz showed their support for Lozada.
Bail money from Mayor Lim
Reyes said Lozada’s supporters from the religious, civic and activist groups may hold vigils outside the MPD to show encouragement for the whistle-blower.
De la Cruz said that Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim had given him P6,000 in cash for Lozada’s bail, but that Lozada declined to use it.
Police allowed Mananzan and Castalone to stay with Lozada in the room for the night. With a report from Dona Pazzibugan
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