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Monday, June 02, 2008
JDV mum on NBN-ZTE development
DAGUPAN CITY -- "I have decided not to speak out on the ZTE scandal at this particular time."
This was the written statement issued Sunday by Pangasinan fourth district Representative Jose de Venecia Jr. in relation to the recent development in the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN)-ZTE deal.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
De Venecia is in the province to distribute relief goods and financial assistance to the towns of Manaoag, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan and Dagupan City, which were affected by typhoon Cosme last May.
He admitted that pressures on him to testify on the ZTE scandal and other instances of corruption in government continue to intensify.
(Commitment)
The former House Speaker, however, reaffirmed commitment to the public's search for truth.
"At the proper time and at the proper forum soon, I shall testify willingly on what I know of the ZTE scandal and other instances of corruption in the government. That service I owe to the nation and to the Filipino people, and I intend to fulfill it," he remarked.
"I believe that when I testify (now), it will be the beginning of a protracted and long drawn-out conflict and I must stay the course. I do not wish to add to the problems facing our government and our people. And I certainly do not wish to create a political crisis that could provoke a declaration of martial law in any manner or form," de Venecia stated.
"I know that we Filipinos are used to living on the brink of political crisis -- but the national and global situation right now may be even more serious that we ourselves imagine," he further said.
De Venecia's name was further dragged into the NBN-ZTE issue after it came out in the news that he was in fact with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and First Gentleman Miguel "Mike" Arroyo when the First Couple went to the ZTE headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
He is being coaxed and challenged by different sectors to testify at the Senate and tell all the things he know about the NBN-ZTE controversial deal.
(Immediate concern)
De Venecia said politics should be set aside for the meantime as the people, especially those affected by typhoon Cosme, need help.
In the fourth district, San Fabian and Dagupan City are two of the worst hit towns and cities in the province.
"Others reported my apprehensions that, given the convergence of multiple national crises, our continued focus on the ZTE scandal may prevent our political and economic leaders from dealing with these crises in unity," de Venecia further said.
"The unprecedented increases in the prices of oil, electricity, transportation, rice and food keep mounting. The upsurge of crime, lawlessness and poverty continues; and there are no quick and easy solutions in sight. Already the nation and our people are suffering. Unfortunately, it looks like things will get much worse before they get better," he added.
The lawmaker reiterated that he does not hate President Arroyo.
"I have no Christian hatred for her. All I am asking the president is to cleanse the nation of corruption, to cleanse the Philippine society of wrongdoing and corruption. If she cleanse the government, cleanse the Cabinet, and cleanse Philippine society, I'll be there to help her. Nothing personal," he stressed.
De Venecia, who is stricken with fever and influenza, said he will undergo thorough checkup after addressing the immediate concerns of his district mates. (LCMY/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (June 2, 2008 issue)
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