GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Filtered By: Topstories
News
Senate dares Palace execs to testify at inquiry on ZTE mess
Instead of holding press briefings left and right to counter the investigation on the alleged anomalies in the government's aborted $329.48-million national broadband network (NBN) project with China's ZTE Corp, Malacañang officials should air their side of the issue at the Senate. Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate defense committee, on Saturday said Palace officials would be welcome to testify at the Senate. He said claims of Malacañang executives would be deemed credible as they would be made to testify under oath during the inquiry. "Inumpisahan na nila 'yan noong Wednesday, may sinasabing dapat under oath. Kung gusto nila ng rebuttal pumunta sila sa Senado (They started doing that as early as Wednesday, they had been making statements that should be under oath. If they want to really rebut witnesses in Senate investigations, they should come here to the Senate)," Biazon said in an interview on dzRH radio. He was referring to the press briefings held at the Philippine National Police and Malacañang to counter claims that Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr, the new witness in the inquiry on the NBN-ZTE deal, was abducted. During Friday's Senate hearing, Lozada implicated several government officials who allegedly attempted to keep him from testifying before the Senate on the NBN-ZTE deal. Lozada claimed that unidentified men abducted him upon his arrival from Hong Kong on Tuesday. According to Lozada, among the Palace officials who expressed fear that his testimony could bring down the Arroyo administration were Romulo Neri, former National Economic and Development authority director general, Jose "Lito" Atienza, secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Michael Defensor, former chief of the presidential management staff, Remedios Poblador, secretary for special concerns, and Manuel Gaite, deputy executive secretary. "Kung totoo ang sinasabi nila (If what Palace officials claim is true), it will gain credibility because they will be saying it under oath. Come in, they will be welcome in the Senate," Biazon said. Meanwhile, Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr, chief of the Philippine National Police, on Saturday said he was willing to testify at Monday's Senate hearing on the NBN-ZTE deal. Senators want Razon to air his side on the abduction of Lozada. "Opo (Yes)," Razon said on dzBB radio, when asked if he would attend the resumption of the hearing on the ZTE controversy. The hearing is scheduled at 10:30 a.m., Monday. However, Razon insisted the PNP did not abduct Lozada, and that it was Lozada who sought police protection upon his return to the country last Tuesday. Razon maintained the PNP sent police to secure Lozada, upon the latter's request "through the Environment Secretary." "Nalilito siya at natatakot (Lozada was confused and scared) ... How can there be a kidnapping when all the while he could use his cell phone?" he said. - GMANews.TV
