Monday, March 17, 2008 Nalzaro: Pacman's victory and Lozada's visit By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE victory of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao against Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez has brought again pride and glory to the Filipino people and to the entire country. Although it was not a convincing victory because Pacquiao failed to knock down Marquez, I am now convinced that the Filipino boxing legend is indeed the best boxer that the country has ever produced in this generation. He gave his best shots, showed his fighting skills in his successful bid for the World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight title dubbed as the “Unfinished Business” in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday.
Marquez has been added to the list of Mexican boxers demolished by the Pambansang Kamao. Pacquiao has been tagged as the Mexican assassin. He defeated several Mexican fighters like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis, Hector Velasquez and Oscar Larios. Some of them were even forced to hang their gloves after their defeat by Pacquiao.
Manny really satisfied his millions of fans all over the world with his impressive performance. But it was not an easy victory for Manny. He encountered difficulties—suffered cuts in his right eye and a setback in several rounds of their completed 12 rounds. But he was lucky because he won via split decision. Congratulations, Manny.
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Barring unforeseen circumstances, NBN-ZTE scandal star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. is scheduled to visit Cebu today upon the invitation of some campus organizations and the newly formed Cebuanos for Truth. Earlier, some local political leaders and organizations expressed reservations to Lozada’s visit. Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Dilaab Movement chairman Fr. Melo Diola said there is no need for Lozada to visit here because he will just be repeating what he already said in the series of Senate hearings about the NBN-ZTE deal. So what else is new?
Although he did not categorically express opposition to Lozada’s visit, His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal posed this question: Why do we have to make him a hero? The cardinal said there is no need to invite the whistleblower and listen to his testimonies. The Cebuanos are intelligent enough to understand Lozada’s side of the story, the prelate said.
Well, in fairness to Lozada, he did not volunteer to visit here and talk to the people who want to know the truth behind the much-publicized NBN-ZTE deal and those seeking for reforms. I don’t know what truth they are still seeking when everything about the scandal is already known. The truth is there are people in high heavens who wanted commissions and kickbacks on the aborted deal.
Since there are witnesses who testified before the Senate that President Arroyo and her husband Mike were involved in the anomalous deal, then let it be. The Senate investigation should be stopped and it should shift the legal battle to the court where evidences are needed and not just storytelling. I may sound like a broken record but I have to say this again that the Senate hearings on this issue will amount to nothing. The Senate hearing is in aid of legislation and it cannot prosecute nor convict those allegedly involved in the questionable deal. The ombudsman is the proper venue for this brouhaha.
Yes, I am convinced that Lozada was telling the truth on his limited knowledge about the deal. Not because I believe his “acting prowess” when he cried in front of the klieg lights. But I found him very sincere. But the problem with this guy is that he thinks he is now a star and a hero. His image in public has been tainted with political color because it looks like he is already campaigning. He should have kept a low profile like a Probinsyanong Intsik. Who does he think he is, Manny Pacquiao?
