The unresolved ZTE-NBN scandal is back in the news with the whistle blower in the botched award to a Chinese telecoms firm of a $329-M contract arrested on perjury charges.
The case filed against Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada stems from his assertions before the Court of Appeals that former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor had attempted to bribe him and was involved in his abduction by police.
What is raising eyebrows is the fact that while court action on the perjury case moved with dispatch, the graft cases in connection with the NBN-ZTE scandal itself have not moved an in inch at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Lozada is refusing to post bail to gain temporary freedom in order to make a point: that there is a patent injustice taking place.
Malacanang is denying that it has anything to do with the curious turn of events but negative public reaction is certain to weigh against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her spouse.
One’s thoughts cannot but go back to the revelations that the First Couple had gone unannounced to the headquarters in Shenzen in 2006, even playing a round of golf and while there, Mrs. Arroyo had given her approval to the National Broadband Network deal.
The ZTE scandal formed the main basis of the one of the 4 bids to impeach Mrs. Arroyo for corruption.
The only casualty in the scandal was former elections chief Benjamin Abalos who was forced to resign in the face of charges that he brokered “backroom negotiations” to help ZTE bag the contract.
The scandal first revealed by businessman Joey De Venecia (son of the former House Speaker) and confirmed by Lozada led to high-profile Senate hearings, which eventually prompted Mrs. Arroyo to cancel the project.
Joey De Venecia had testified about how Atty. Mike Arroyo told him to “back off” from the deal.
In the aftermath of the uncompleted hearings, Lozada and his family have been under the protection of nuns in cramped makeshift quarters at La Salle Greenhills.
Now that he has been arrested on court orders, Lozada is facing the prospect of being detained at the Manila City jail with a total of 16 cases hanging over his head.
This is how the wheels of (in)justice are grinding.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Maybe another action is a constitutional change so that the Office of Ombudsman becomes a more effective agent of the Philippine Constitution.
I can see, though, that the J-Lozada-for-Senator has been re-energized. J-Lo's refusal to post bail is a commendable strategy —- martyrdom and spotlight.
Lozada claims he's trying to call attention to the unresolved graft cases which puts the nus on the Ombudsman really. It must be noted that her inaction on this and other cases are being cited as the very basis for the impeachment case against her.
I do not fully subscribe to Lozada's stunt but he's entitled to it.
The people can see through the machinations of the various players.
From a peripheral view, it must have been a deal gone loco.
Now, truth is placed under test and let the judicial system tie all loose ends.
You are correct here, Primer.
That Arroyo herself backed off anf cancelled the deal which she had approved abundantly indicated how their hands were caught in the cookie jar.
What does Ding meant by "Justice in Reverse…"? If case didn't stick, therefore, agrieved party has the right to sue for the wrong done … WELL, THIS IS THE PHILIPPINES WITH FILIPIN MIND