The Harassment Of Jun Lozada
The harassment of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Jr. seems to be a concerted team effort. Who are the players? The Mafia. Not Italian, but the homegrown version. With libel suits, possible perjury charges, a full page ad on two national papers, a raid on his office, threatening Senators (Joker), and other myriad of statements coming from The Arroyo allies, it’s no wonder that Jun Lozada feels a bit harassed.
First thing’s first, there was the abduction.
Then there was the threat of Abalos to file a libel suit against Jun Lozada, as Abalos held a press conference a few days ago, adamantly flailing around a piece of paper as his secret weapon.
Next there would be the grueling second senate hearing on the scrapped $329 million NBN deal, where it was one against many. Lozada stood his ground against the testimony of Mascariñas, Atutubo, Razon, Defensor, and Atty. Bautista. And let’s not forget the good ol’ Senator Enrile trying to outwit Lozada and failing miserably. And of course Joker who didn’t want Lozada to “mess with my wife”.
The more laughable, but deeply concerning attempt were the Full Page Newspaper Ads that came out yesterday in The Philippine Star and The Philippine Daily Inquirer. In the ad itself, a group calling itself Kongreso ng Mamamayan (Central Luzon-National Capital Region-Southern Tagalog Chapters) warned Filipinos against calling the ZTE witness as a hero.
And just hours ago, the NBI raid on Lozada’s office. Because they are doing their own “investigation”. Or maybe trying to get dirt on Lozada. The latter sounds a bit more like the Administration.
For unbelievers, do they still believe that the NBN deal was legit? Or are we still in doubt of Lozada’s credibility? In light of the well orchestrated abduction attempt, we must ask ourselves, if Lozada isn’t credible, then why put so much effort to shut him up, hide him, and now harass him?
The harassment of Jun Lozada is proof of a paranoia that is as clear as The Boracay waters, the reason is even more so. There is something to hide, and we already know what it is. CORRUPTION that could lead to the top.
Disgust , Repugnance , Loathe , Abhorrence and all other similar words in the thesaurus is what I feel right now! Why? Well, the recent Lozada incident in the Senate really makes me puke!
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The partners in crime, wealth and power of GMA – the military generals – headed by Razon & Atutubo, the muddy politician -Atienza, the palace disciple- Gaite, the dirty lawyer -Bautista and the butcher, Mascariñas were all lying to their teeth! They didn’t dispute most of Lozada’s statements but instead used & twisted it to validate their actions. There is nothing more to debate nor discuss on who is telling the truth for it is so obvious already for one who follows closely the senate hearings to make an educated assessment of whats going on. The truth after all will always shine in the midst of all the lies and deception when someone credible and consistent with his statement stands up to it.
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I am so appalled by the Arroyo administration, from one scandal to the other- it continues to treat us in a manner as if all of us are a bunch of idiots that they can easily confuse with half truths, half lies and all other propagandas oiled by their dirty money. You know – I’ve always been against anyone running for presidency whom I do not perceive as presidential timber – ill equipped with high education, principles, discipline, upbringing and experience. Now – in light of recent events – particularly the Arroyo administration, this line of thought made me ponder.
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The previous president was Joseph Estrada, whom I don’t really consider an idiot for after all, he rose to the ranks slowly. Well –one does not get to the top by being an idiot. He must have a skill somewhere. Nevertheless, I’ve always perceived him not of presidential timber for obvious reasons. Then – we all saw his downfall. Most of us attributed it to his being stupid, for adapting a thug or hooligan style in his shenanigans so he got caught red-handed.
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Then came Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – Estrada’s sneaky vice-president who rose into power while he was drunk and by the so called “people power†but in reality installed with military might who rode on peoples emotions! Well, it seemed that finally that the Philippines had a president that was capable enough….till consecutive events unfolded. Indeed, Arroyo was capable enough- to institutionalize corruption. She appointed the military generals in all high places. She appointed dirty bright boys to circumvent the existing laws of the land. She issued executive orders to fit her agenda. If her Plan A fails, well- her bright boys always have a Plan B, Plan C etc… If you oppose any of their plans, they can always say “ why don’t you go to court?†Sadly –it would have been a good suggestion but only if you have enough financial means and emotional strength to go after them via a long court battle, wherein along the way they can just do some influence peddling and arm twisting to get what they want!
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Don’t get me wrong- Arroyo certainly has good points – a good economic manager, a working president, a capable president who can stand tall among other world leaders etc… but all this becomes blurry due to the fact that all the corruption in high places could not have taken place without her participation or consent. There is no amount of reasoning that could convince me that she is oblivious of what is going on around her. Have you all forgotten that being a leader means command responsibility? The people she appointed in high places are all bright boys who who have no qualms at playing dirty when needed so as to keep her in power and their interest – From DOJ’s Gonzalez to military generals in high cabinet positions – Ermita, Ebdane, etc.. She also has the penchant for appointing incapable people whose only qualification is their blind loyalty to her, so whatever positive points she has definitely pales to the havoc she is wrecking on our government institutions.
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Arroyo has the influential Catholic Church and businessmen cowering in fear. All are trying to say something against the administration but not saying or doing something stronger for fear of being accused of treason or rebellion. Again, another ingenious use of the law against us by of the Arroyo administration. With the dirty bright boys, the well fed military generals solidly behind her- who can topple the Arroyo administration? Hey – People power? Really? Did it ever exist in the first place? How naive!
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I don’t know if Lozada is a hero or just another dead man walking. I do admire Lozada for he is one credible witness that is not easy to bow under pressure, he has the guts, can articulate his point well and can shoot down easily any lie going his way but more than admiration – I pity him more. He has literally risk all of what he has – his life, family, his honor, his career and all the things he holds dear…and for what??? Our country? It’s Filipino citizens? Really? Are we worth it? Are we also willing to risk all that we have to save Lozada? When all this media attention dies down, do we really care enough to do something radical? Is the Filipino really worth dying for? My heart really bleeds for Lozada for when this issue dies down and when all other pinoys are back to normal, those in power that he has hurt with his testimony will definitely go after him in any way they could
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Incidents like this makes me question myself. If I do abhor whats going on, what am I going to do? Is it worth it? Am I really part of the battle or am I just a griping bystander? Am I really any different with other Filipinos who has shown nothing but apathy- easily dismissing whats happening as just another political scandal or issue? Do I have the right to complain wherein I know the answers to my question is clear in my head. My heart tells me that I should do something, be proactive, maybe do a web campaign to open up hearts and mind of other people, to be another candle in the midst of darkness but then again – I am a person who in the end is ruled by my mind so in shame and anguish, I must admit that I cannot risk all that I have – my family, my business, my peaceful life so as to battle the demons that’s plaguing our nation. And for me- with my sincerest apologies but the Filipino is not worth dying for – we have very short memories and a year from now – Lozada will be a name in oblivion.
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All I can do for now is pray for divine intervention. I pray that the judgement day for the Arroyo adminsitration and it’s cohorts comes soon enough, for after all what goes around comes around!
“The more laughable, but deeply concerning attempt were the Full Page Newspaper Ads that came out yesterday in The Philippine Star and The Philippine Daily Inquirer. In the ad itself, a group calling itself Kongreso ng Mamamayan (Central Luzon-National Capital Region-Southern Tagalog Chapters) warned Filipinos against calling the ZTE witness as a hero.”
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What is more laughable, Nick? And what exactly do you mean by “deeply concerning attempt (sic)?”
Allow us to post this article in response to your ambiguous statement. The Kongreso ng Mamamayan raised funds for that newspaper advertisement to let the public hear our side of the issue. Like you, and milions of Filipinos, we also want to get to the bottom of the ZTE controversy and uncover the truth.
But the endless Senate hearings are pointless and we are wasting precious time. These hearings are supposedly held “in aid of legislation†but are obviously exploited by senators for brownie points. Senators do not prosecute, they craft laws. Prosecution is the work of fiscals and prosecutors or the Ombudsman and these entities should handle Engr. Rodolfo Lozada’s testimony.
The case of alleged anomaly in the ZTE contract should be filed in the proper court and indict persons who may have been involved in it. The courts, many will agree, are capable of ferreting out the truth and dispensing justice. Let us please end these worthless Senate hearings and all accused should have his day in court and not be crucified before an inquisition-like Senate.
Engr. Lozada himself is alleged to have committed corruption and irregularities as head of the Philippine Forest Corporation and should also be arraigned at the Ombudsman. It was also unearthed that PhilForest had taken out a P5-million insurance policy with Insular Life with his wife as agent; had leased out a 50-hectare property in Antipolo City to a company he owns; purchased a fleet of luxury cars and entered, on behalf of his brother, into a number of government contracts which did not go through proper bidding.
If Lozada’s testimony holds water, if at all, then persons involved should be formally charged in the proper forum or specifically before the Ombudsman, along with Lozada—the whistleblower—himself.
RJ Javellana
Secretary General
Address: # 32 Vallant, Fairview, Quezon City
Mobile No. 0928-657-5329 / email: kongreso_rj@yahoo.com
RJ, how were the funds raised? There are speculations of course, that the source of these funds inevitably came from the Arroyo Administration. I don’t care much for speculation, but it goes to the motive of this ad. But in response to the term ambiguous, there’s nothing ambiguous about it. Let the Senate pursue the hearings. The people clearly want it or we wouldn’t have millions glued to their television sets. But that’s not the reason I’m all for the hearings.
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The inherent function of The Senate not only goes to legislative functions, but also has importance in ratifying treaties, and being an independent body of the government, theirs also belongs the important duty of check and balance.
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The three branches of government, with specific tasks are important, one of which is to be a presence as a check on the other two branches.
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An executive that yields power and sway in so many government bodies may have the tendency to be authoritarian. The Arroyo administration is seen to have already crossed this boundary. I myself, will not go that far in accusing this government. Not yet.
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But think about it. What more of an important investigation is this, than to find out the true nature of this NBN deal, to find out how such a deal could be pushed through considering the alleged $130 million kickback. If Lozada’s testimony holds true, then there maybe hundreds of transactions of this nature. This is money that could be used for so many programs that our nation needs. Wouldn’t you want legislation to try to prohibit this kind of activity. Legislation to try to provide a better method of checks and balance in the procurement process? If it’s legislation you want, then I’m sure you’ll agree that the preceding goal is worthy of being looked at.
At least two dailies were looking for us and wondered if Kongreso ng Mamamayan truly existed. So we held a press conference last Friday, Feb 15, and announced to media that funds to pay for advertisements were derived from members’ contributions and donations from various businesses. Some 20 plus NGOs, existing since 2001, were represented in that media event, in the flesh.
Anyway, thanks for the lecture on government branches and functions, but you missed the point entirely. The iconic phrase “in
aid of legislation” has been used as a convenient tool for politicians, specifically those who still won’t accept GMA’s ledership, for personal agenda. These politicians worship the cameras like crazy. After these lengthy discourse, what do we get in return?
Did they find it in their calendar to deliberate on amending the Procurement Act? Or additional, more severe penalty for violators of the Anti Graft Law? A law to amend or improve the Witness Protection Program so as to independently protect future (but genuine) whistleblowers?
No. We only got media exposures of these senators. That’s why ultimately, the whole Jun Lozada expose is useless.
Our country should be run by law and not by hearsay. Since we cant stop senators from grandstanding, I say we finish these Senate hearings and get the entire statement of Jun Lozada. Then we charge him in court (Kongreso ng Mamamayan will actually file charges next week). We are optimistic that the court will eventually prove all or most of his testimonies are all lies. Then if every person he unjustly implicated, every name he smeared, slandered and maligned will sue him, he will ultimately break down and admit that he is just being used by anti-government forces.
I recently came across the website below regarding Mr. Jun Lozada and I thought I should share it with you:
patriots4truth.blogspot.com
It might help us arrive at a clearer discernment of the truth about the ZTE controversy.