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House arrest for ‘anemic’ Lozada sought


MANILA, Philippines - A Roman Catholic bishop on Thursday appealed to authorities that Rodolfo “Jun" Lozada Jr., the star witness in an alleged anomalous transaction involving the government and a Chinese firm, be placed under house arrest. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said they have already filed a petition before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26 seeking house arrest for Lozada. “Jun is anemic so we are worried about his health if he will be imprisoned. We are asking that he be placed under house arrest," said Pabillo. Lozada was arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection with the perjury charge filed against him by former presidential chief of staff Michael “Mike" Defensor. His arrest has earned condemnation from many groups and personalities, including former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada. They said the arrest was meant to muzzle Lozada from further disclosing the anomalies surrounding the botched $329-million national broadband network contract between the government and China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. Pabillo, who celebrated Mass at the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters where Lozada is detained, urged for the speedy resolution of the perjury case. He said they are also hoping that the court would heed their request for a house arrest for Lozada, who he said was innocent of the charge against him. “We are hoping that they give in to our appeal just like what they do to others. Lozada is not a criminal anyway," Pabillo said. - GMANews.TV
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