Wednesday, March 05, 2008 Don't waste time in Toledo, city mayor tells Jun Lozada
WHISTLEBLOWER Rodolfo Lozada Jr. is not welcome in Toledo City because, according to Mayor Arlene Zambo, he would only be wasting his time there.
Zambo is one of the Cebuano city mayors that affirmed support for the President in Malacañang last Monday, along with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
“Ayaw na lang sa samok-samok dire sa Toledo, no. In the first place, he has been heard on television, radio and in the newspapers,” Zambo told reporters yesterday.
“He’s only going to waste his time here. Besides, there is no media here. He’s not going to get any coverage,” Zambo continued.
Lozada is expected to visit Cebu soon. He has hogged the limelight for testifying before the Senate about how President Arroyo’s allies allegedly arranged for a $130-million kickback from the $329-million national broadband deal.
When Zambo told Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia about the impending visit, the latter made a face.
Garcia said Lozada’s celebrity status has reached the “height of ridiculousness.”
She criticized the people’s fascination with Lozada, whom she referred to as a “momentary hero” whose credibility is also questionable.
Garcia also hit on Lozada’s comparing himself to Jesus Christ, saying it “borders on blasphemy.”
Zambo added that in reading the national reaction to Lozada’s testimony, the public’s views outside of Metro Manila should also be considered.
This is what the League of Cities in the Philippines signified in affirming their support for the President.
When asked why only three city mayors attended the Malacañang meeting, Zambo said the other mayors may have been busy and their absence should not be read as their lack of support for the President. (JGA)
