Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Lozada 'doesn't need to visit Cebu for us to know the truth'
EVEN as police prepare to provide security for the visit to Cebu of Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr., Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said the Cebuanos do not need him coming here to know the truth.
At the Capitol, the Provincial Board (PB) wants the Senate inquiry on the national broadband network (NBN) deal to be more systematic and credible.
Rama clarified, lest he be misconstrued as saying Lozada is not welcome in Cebu, that the Cebuanos are already convinced that corruption is rampant in government so they do not need somebody telling them about it.
What is important is what the government is doing to address it, he said, as he wondered what direction the Senate hearings are heading.
“It’s not that he is not welcome. I just feel that we really should be behind, not a person, but the truth,” the vice mayor said.
The PB meanwhile passed on mass motion yesterday a resolution expressing its stand that the “search for truth” on the controversial NBN-ZTE deal be made through legal and constitutional avenues.
Pressure
The resolution authored by PB Member Victor Maambong also asked non-government organizations and people’s organizations to direct their pressure at constitutional bodies mandated to come up with facts of the controversies.
Maambong though clarified that the resolution is meant to focus on the truth and not tackle the PB’s support for the President, or the lack thereof.
“The people are already aware and involved and it should be the responsibility of every PB in the entire country to make known their stand,” added PB Member Agnes Magpale.
“The resolution intends to be non-partisan, kamatuoran lang (we’re interested only in the truth),” Maambong told reporters shortly after the regular session.
Vice Mayor Rama, for his part, admitted that no matter what the issues are against President Arroyo, Cebu City is “grateful to GMA” for helping in its many projects.
Among others, the National Government, through the Philippine Tourism Authority, gave P15 million to Cebu City for the landscaping of the plaza in front of the newly renovated legislative building.
Respect
In one of the gatherings he attended, Rama said he asked students what came to their minds when they heard the word “politician,” the unanimous answer he got was “corrupt.”
That is why, he said, the government should work to address the unresolved issued before the youth “lose total respect in us, in government.”
The search for truth was more apparent during the inter-faith rally last Friday where thousands of people attended.
“The message was simple yet strong—the Filipino people are watching vigilantly on the works and duties of the leaders of our country, specially the President, vice president, senators and congressmen,” read the PB resolution.
Since the issue mainly involved the ZTE company, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez said they should also include in the resolution an appeal to the Senate to invite the Chinese company to shed light on the botched NBN deal.
Meanwhile, Lozada’s planned visit shouldn’t pose any security problem, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.
PRO 7 Director Ronald Roderos said they are willing to coordinate with the Senate to secure Lozada’s safety.
“They just make a request and we will respond, no problem with that,” he said, citing his peaceful handling of the Feb. 25 and 29 anti-Arroyo rallies by strictly enforcing maximum tolerance among anti-riot policemen.
Lozada is the star witness of the controversial national broadband network deal.
Civic and militant groups had discussed with Neri Colmenares the plan of Lozada to come to Cebu, but the lawyer said Lozada and his group have yet to decide on a date because they worry about his security.
Colmenares, who is among the founders of National Union of People’s Lawyer that represents Lozada, said a leader of a civic organization invited Lozada to Cebu and the latter considered it as a “good idea.”
Colmenares was in Cebu City yesterday to speak with students, priests, and leaders of different civic organizations in a forum “Truth Consequence: Setting Things Right.”
Roderos said Cebu’s label as an Arroyo country won’t have an influence on Lozada’s security because “everyone has the right to travel.”
“We’ll just be on standby. We will provide if we receive a request. But for sure the Senate, which is handling Lozada, will provide an advance party to Cebu to coordinate with us in case Lozada decides to come to Cebu. And that is not a problem,” he said. (RHM/JGA/AIV)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 4, 2008 issue)
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