Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Court doubts threats to Lozada's life
BROADBAND deal star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. was grilled last Tuesday by Court of Appeals (CA) justices on his claims that he continues to receive direct threats to his life, amid talks that the Senate will soon withdraw his security escorts.
During the hearing, Lozada reiterated his previous testimony that he believed that his telephone lines are bugged and that his movements are still constantly being monitored by the government.
Lozada also claimed there are motorcycle-riding agents armed with surveillance cameras that follow him around.
Such constant surveillance by the government, he said, is causing undue pressure on him and his family. He further said the death threats to his life and that of his siblings are serious.
But the justices appeared not convinced with Lozada's testimony.
CA Justices Regalado Maambong and Celia Librea-Leagogo directed the witness to present more evidence to prove his allegations, as the court will not rely on mere speculations.
Leagogo expressed surprise on why Lozada failed to sue former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. whom Lozada repeatedly identified as the one who threatened him with physical harm.
The lady justice also pointed out that the threats could have been made by private individuals who are not in agreement in Lozada's disclosures at the Senate.
"You can't really pinpoint from whom these threats are coming from, yet you have this conclusion that these government people are the ones sending you threats. You don't know if there are some private individuals who do not agree of your advocacy," she said.
At the sidelines of the hearing of his petition for the issuance of the writ of amparo, Lozada said he is leaving his fate to the senators should they decide to remove his security detail and to desist from spending on his provincial tours to reduce the Senate's funds allotted for his security. (ECV/Sunnex)
