Thursday, March 20, 2008 Speak Out: I was in the forum with Jun Lozada By Alfredo J. Sipalay Cebu City
I WAS at the University of San Carlos gym last Monday to attend the forum with Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Jr.
I wanted to see for myself what made this man leave his comfort zone and endanger his life and that of his family by ratting on his former boss and some of the most powerful personalities in our country today.
After Lozada’s speech, the emcee informed the audience that an open forum will follow. He told us that each participant will have two minutes to ask his questions so that so that the others will have their chance.
I was seated beside lawyer Kit Enriquez about two meters away from the microphone with a stand intended for those who wanted to ask questions.
A young man wearing a black shirt and cargo shorts was one of the questioners.
He aired his opinion and when his two-minute allotted time was about to expire, the emcee asked him what his question was. He continued his harangue and finally asked a question after the emcee repeatedly asked him what his question was.
He asked Lozada why didn’t he file cases in court instead of appearing in the Senate inquiry and touring campuses (re: the national broadband network-ZTE deal).
When Lozada started to answer his question, the man interrupted him and made side comments about the forum being biased.
When Lozada requested to be given the opportunity to answer, he continued his tirade. Then, he turned his back on the speaker raising both his hands towards the audience who was booing him, like the Pope dispensing his blessings to the faithful, and just walked away.
I’ve seen with my own eyes, heard with my own ears and perceived with my other senses what transpired that day. And I was about two meters away from that guy when he made those moves.
I don’t think he came to the forum to ask a legitimate question for Lozada to answer. I don’t think he came with an open mind. I don’t think he came to be enlightened.
I think he came there with a mindset etched in stone. I believe he came there with a purpose other than lofty.
Whether he was acting on his own or for somebody else is for him to answer.
On behalf of the Cebuanos, most of whom are decent and hospitable, I apologize to Jun Lozada for the boorish behavior of that guy.
I likewise disapprove of the reported punching by an unidentified man of that guy outside the University of San Carlos gym. If the organizers of that forum can identify the perpetrator, they should ask him to apologize for it.
We may have differences of opinions but we Cebuanos--–many of us anyway--–are not like that man and his kind.
