Sunday, May 18, 2008 Palace unfazed by JDV testimony
MALACAÑANG said it is not afraid of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. testifying at a Senate investigation into the US$329.48-million ZTE broadband deal mess.
Presidential deputy spokesman Anthony Golez Jr. said de Venecia may even affirm “nothing malicious” occurred at President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s meeting with ZTE officials in China in 2006.
“We have no reason to fear. If JDV (de Venecia) will tell the truth, we will find that there is no basis to the accusations of something irregular going on between our President, our government, and the ZTE officials,” he said on government-run dzRB radio.
He said the claims made by opposition personalities involving photos of Arroyo at the side trip have so far been “malicious interpretations of pictures and events that happened.”
Golez wagered that none of the witnesses at the ZTE hearings will be able to pinpoint any “illegal transaction” during the side trip.
“What we’ve been hearing are unjust malicious arguments and statements. All these will not be able to pinpoint there is an illegal transaction. All these are malicious interpretations of pictures and events that happened,” he said.
On the other hand, two other members of the presidential entourage ganged up on de Venecia’s wife Georgina, saying they will “pray” for her “peace of mind.”
House deputy speaker Amelita Villarosa, an administration ally, insisted there was nothing unusual about the trip, and that someone was trying to drive a wedge against Arroyo and the de Venecias.
“The photos are the work of those who want the President and the former Speaker to fight. Maybe they don’t want them to be friends,” she said.
But Villarosa refused to identify those who she suspected were spreading the photos.
She also said she will pray for Mrs. de Venecia for “peace of mind,” adding that there are other more pressing issues like the quake in China and the cyclone in Myanmar.
“I pray to the Holy Spirit for peace, I pray a lot so this will end,” she said.
Villarosa is a member of Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party. She figured in the cash gift scandal that rocked Malacañang last October.
Her husband, former Oriental Mindoro congressman Jose Villarosa, was acquitted of murder charges earlier this year.
On the other hand, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr.’s wife Pacita also went on air to “pray” for Mrs. de Venecia -- and take a dig at the opposition and at ZTE witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr.
“People are tired, my God, we have to move on. Politicians are using their resources to follow this or that up and end up with nothing. People don’t like to hear this anymore,” she said.
Pacita said when Lozada went to Iloilo, supposedly a turf of her husband, no one welcomed him.
She even took a dig at senators who she said are planning to run in the 2010 presidential elections.
“These senators who want to run in 2010, they want to revive so it is becoming fresh for people to think over them,” she said.
As for Mrs. de Venecia, Mrs. Gonzalez said: “The only thing I can do is pray for her and enlighten her for her to have peace of mind.” (JMR/Sunnex)
