DOJ chief lashes judge in Lozada perjury case anew

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Wednesday lashed at a Manila judge for linking the First Family to the perjury case filed by former presidential chief of staff Michael “Mike’ Defensor against ZTE-NBN star witness Rodolfo “Jun" Lozada Jr. Gonzalez particularly zeroed in on the statement of Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo of the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court branch 26 that he would summon President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo to testify in the said case. “I was aghast by his statement that he will subpoena and cause the arrest of the President. Maybe this judge is having hallucinations to run for president. That judge should not be taken seriously," the Justice chief told reporters in a press briefing. During a television interview, Lorredo expressed belief that Malacañang is using the Lozada issue as a prelude to martial law. Gonzalez described this as an “irresponsible" statement. “Even if the statement of Lozada is proven false, what connection will it have to martial law?" he said. Lozada was arrested by the Manila Police District to face the case against him. The court however ordered him transferred to the custody of the Senate over health and safety issues. Lorredo, in his May 4 order, urged Defensor to drop the case before it affects his political career, family and health. He also said that proceeding with the trial may compel him to subpoena the First Couple due to their alleged involvement in the NBN-ZTE anomaly. Lorredo had earlier admitted that he wants to be an associate justice of the Court of Appeals and even the Supreme Court. Gonzalez said he doubts the judge would be short-listed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which screens applicants to vacant judicial posts. “One criteria of [the] JBC is to pass the psychiatric test," Gonzalez said without elaborating. - GMANews.TV