Senators are taking with caution the testimony last Tuesday of ZTE technical consultant Dante Madriaga that President Arroyo and her husband Mike received “advances” from China’s ZTE Corp for the national broadband project.
Senate President Manuel Villar said they are double checking Madriaga’s testimony amid fears that he could be a “red herring.”
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Madriaga’s statements would have to be corroborated by other evidence and testimonies.
“Karamihan ng kanyang tinestify kahapon wala naman siyang talagang personal knowledge kasi ni-relay lang sa kanya ni Leo San Miguel, kaya napaka-importanteng testigo si Leo San Miguel,” Lacson said.
Lacson said efforts are being exerted to bring San Miguel, a member of the group of former elections chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. to possibly corroborate the testimony of Madriaga.
Lacson nevertheless said some of Madriaga’s statements coincided with the testimonies of Lozada and De Venecia.
“Pero maraming nai-reveal dun na nakakagulat at tumatama naman dun sa mga circumstances,” Lacson said.
Sen. Mar Roxas III said the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) should be alerted on the big amount of money that allegedly changed hands among the “greedy groups” related to the NBN-ZTE contract.
Madriaga testified Tuesday that the First Couple and Abalos’ group got around $41 million in advances from the ZTE, which came in three tranches.
He said Abalos’ group is comprised of Leo San Miguel, Ruben Reyes, retired Gen. Quirino dela Torre and Jimmy Paz. Madriaga said San Miguel, a former owner of Home Cable, was his immediate superior in the NBN-ZTE project.
Roxas said the senators appreciate the testimony of Madriaga but they need documentary evidence to build a stronger case.
Majority leader Francis Pangilinan said Madriaga must still be put to strict scrutiny since he may just be part of a scheme to undermine the integrity of the Senate proceedings.
“The Senate should not let its guard down, we cannot discount the possibility that efforts are underway to undermine the credibility of the proceedings with unreliable witnesses and testimonies,” he said.
Pangilinan said that without corroborative testimonies, Madriaga’s allegations remain as “mere hearsay.”
He said the testimonies of the other witnesses, such Lozada, de Venecia and Romulo Neri, are already enough to establish that criminal acts had been committed in the ZTE-NBN deal.
UNTRUTHS
Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza branded the testimony of Madriaga as hearsay, full of speculations and even a part of his imagination.
Mendoza said there were a lot of “untruths” citing as example Madriaga’s claim that the supposed contract was not really missing.
He said this is contrary to a report of the NBI and a pending case with the Ombudsman that stemmed from the missing documents.
He belied Madriaga’s cost estimate of NBN project which he said was probably made at the time when the project was still being studied at the level of the Commission on Information and Communications and Technology.
He reiterated that the whole NBN project was estimated to cost $329 million to cover the entire country including the sixth class municipalities as against the initial offer of $262 million for only 30 percent of the what government initially required.
‘TULALA’
Trade Secretary Peter Favila challenged Madriaga to appear before a community of bishops and testify about the events surrounding the broadband deal.
Favila denied that President Arroyo was raring to make the trip to Hainan and Boao in China in April 21, 2007 for the Boao Forum despite the precarious condition of the First Gentleman following a heart bypass on April 9.
He said the President was there to represent the country in the Boao Forum which is the Asian counterpart of the World Economic Forum that is annually held in Davos, and at that time co-chaired by former president Fidel Ramos.
He described the President as already “tulala” after attending the Boao Forum as they prepared to return to Manila.
“I can tell you that at that point in time I could see the President, her mind was really, I don’t know how to best describe it, parang tulala, tulala ba iyun sa tagalog?” he said.
TALL TALES
Ruy Rondain, counsel of the First Gentleman, said the testimony of Madriaga proved he “has no credibility as a witness” and his allegations against the First Couple are “all lies”.
Rondain said the testimony also betrays the “hidden hands behind this ill-motivated witch-hunt intended to discredit the administration while camouflaged as a Senate investigation in aid of legislation”.
“This is the same Madriaga who late last year had been reported to be peddling his testimony for P5 to P10 million.” – Dennis Gadil and Jocelyn Montemayor
Sec. Mendoza reiterated that the whole NBN project was estimated to cost $329 million to cover the entire country including the sixth class municipalities.
Humihirit pa eh sinabi na nga ni gloria arroyo na it’s flawed contract.
The only misgiving that I have with Madriaga is that the last time he was in the Senate prior to Monday’s hearing, Dante Madriaga and his lawyer Atty. Jess Manalo did a demolition job against the very first whistle-blower to accuse the First Couple of corruption, yet in another botched telecoms deal – Pacifico Marcelo III’s Philippine Telecoms Clearing House franchise veto.
It was Madriaga and his lawyer that saved the Gloria and FG from the Blue Ribbon at the same time frustrating Marcelo, who, the Phil. carriers Globe, Smart and Digitel said was acting as a front for Jaime “Jose Velarde” Dichaves.
The Senate must treat this Dante Madriaga as a resource person at best. Sort of to connect all the dots in order to collaborate statements from other witnesses.
As I’ve indicated, he came out “only” hoping to make money off a sucker out there which backfired and after failing to get a piece of the action for services rendered from the greedy group plus plus.
It’s not difficult to see a hustler or a blood-sucking vulture!
TINIMBANG ka pero KULANG!
Napakasimple lang kung uunawain ninuman ang papel ni Mr. Madriaga sa ZTE Senate hearing, pero ginagawa itong kumplikado ng mga nagdudunong-dunongan sa ating lipunan.
Naglalarawan ng pagiging isang tulay ng MALAKABUKAB upang makarating sa EK, so dapat ang NEXT na ipatatawag eh yong mga binanggit na personalidad na one-step ahead tumbok na.
Regarding dun sa ‘marginal note na copy for FG’ sa isang dokumento na iprinisinta ni Jamby Madrigal. Yung depensa ng gobyerno partikular na yung NEDA, ay isa raw Florante G. Igtiben yun – FGI at hindi FG. Pero nung pinanood ko yung video na pinalabas ng GMA7 at ini-pause ko yung screen comparing the two documents, pag sinuri mo ang handwriting ay magkaiba ang pagkakasulat. Lalo na yung letter ‘o’ sa ‘for’, maliit ang bilog nung sa isang kopya. Yung haba ng mga line strokes, at yung mga distances ng letters at words ay may pagkakaiba rin. Para bang na-trace yung supposed to be copya ng NEDA. At dun sa isang interview kay Neri ay sinabi niyang ang pagkakaalam niya ay yung kopya na may marginal note ay galing sa Chinese group at hindi sa NEDA. So, malamang ay inilulusot na naman si FG Pidal. Dapat talaga ay suriiin ito ng isang handwritng expert para malaman kung sino ang nagpa-fabricate.
Luz,
The photocopy that I saw at the abs-cbnews site was a clear FG only.
ang susuri na naman ang nbi, at sasabihin, isang tao lang ang nagsulat. remember, yung pidal signature na si iggy daw ang may pirma.
wala na bang katapusan ang mga kabulastugan ng gobyernong ito?
Noong ipinablish dito ang Madriag feb.6 ay hindi ko kinagat dahil duda ako sa kanya at hangga ngayon at duda pa rin ako.Kulang lang sa pansin iyan at gustong maging bida pero ang katumbas naman ng mga testimonya niya ay parang Trojan condom at baog kaya exciting sa mga matrona.
chi,
Sabi nung kabila eh baka nabura lang daw yung letter ‘I’. Pero kung titingnana mo isa-isa bwat letra ay may pagkakaiba at pati na yung mga distansiya. Parang hindi perpekto ang pagkaka-trace. Kaya nga mukhang palusot lang yung FGI kuno eh. TRy mo i-freeze o i-pause yung part ng comparison sa video dito, sa bandang time na 1:14 and see the difference.
http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/latest/18725/Saksi-FGI-in-Jamby-Madrigal-expose-speaks-out
chi;
Mahirap patunayan ang photocopy sa mga leagal na usapin lalo pag may kokontra,kailangan ang original kaya medyo tagilid si Madrigal sa mga documento na hawak niya.
Madriaga came when the senate investigation is losing steam. He even pepped up the newstand sales and rescued many dying hopes of the oppossiton and militants. He may not turn out a hero but the angel that warned First Goon’s wife not to look back anymore upon leaving the palace sooner. ACT I: Dante’s Guts.
lumalabas na yon ZTE pala during the time of negotiations la pa ng WIMAX. Tamad talaga at incompetent eto mga officials natin sa ICT. Gusto lang nila pa commission sa mga projects. Dapat sila na gumagawa nito at tingin ko kaya gawin (if they were competent). No need utang, use existing equipment of the government that’s already ther.
HOY, GISING!
Nagiingat lang ang Senado, kasi lagi silang napagbibintang ng ” in aid of de-establization and grand standing.” Mahirap ng baka pagtawanan pa sila sa huli. Matatalino itong mga senadores natin na nagtatanggol para hustisia at kututohanan. They gave chance for Madriaga to testify, kung kontra man ang Malacanang dapat ay haharap din sila sa Senado upang pasinunalingan ang mga sinabi nito. Pagbigyan si Madriaga, after all if found na nagsisinungaling siya under oath, then he will be held liable to it. If not in the court of men, in God’s court and judgement wala siyang lusot…
May history na ba si Madriaga ng ganiyan ha, Tongue? Talaga naman, ang dumi! Walang tulak-kabigin!
Still this guy knows a lot and as J. Cruz has stated above, this guy can be used as a resource person. It is up to the police in fact to verify statements made by the witnesses at the Senate. Problema is can Filipinos trust their police?
Bakit walang maglakas ng loob na baguhin ang image ng mga pulis diyan? Taragis, ang sama ng reputation.
Madriaga must surely know a lot. Dapat lang pukpukin iyan and squeeze out the truth from him. Hindi na puedeng bawiin ang na-spill niyang beans!
Taka ko lang ay bakit niya binanggit ang pangalan ni Ellen sa hearing? Para pagbintangan na marami ring alam si Ellen? Siyempre alam ni Ellen! Trabaho niya ang mag-snoop for scope as a matter of fact. Grabe rin ano? Question ngayon kung sino ang patron niya. Hopefully, hindi iyong devil incarnate sa Malacanang! 😛
Yuko/Grizzy, I was mentioned in the context of my Feb. 6 article “The Madriaga Files” which you all have read it , and have been discussing in in this blog. ‘yun lang naman.
Madriaga’s expose was posted here Feb.6 kaya lang dehado ang opinion ko dahil majority ay bumilib kaagad sa kanya at panay pa ang papuri ng iba,pero hindi ako bilib talaga.Basahin na lang ninyo at hanga ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako bilib sa kanya ang parte lang na nagustuhan ko sa statement niya ay ang sinabi niya na matambok daw ang bumper ni panyang.
Cocoy,
Short of saying kasing tambok ng Mayyang. May pagka-kumikero din si Madriaga. May dugong GI din iyan dahil sabi niya ang tatay daw niya ay Ilokano.
Yup, Ellen, walang masama kung sinabi niya, “Na-publish na nga ang expose ko sa column ni Ellen Tordesillas.” Walang masama doon. Para ngang gaya noong mga Washington Post noon na nagbulgar ng Watergate scandal.
agree ako sa suggestion (o dare ba yun) ni madriaga na bakit hindi mag issue ng subpoena ang senate kina reyes, de la torre at yung iba pang pinangalanan niya, lalong lalo na itong si porky piggy!
andun, pumunta na naman sa st. lukes. pagkatapos magpa acupuncture, ngayon naman, therapy. hmmm, kakaibang therapy. nabugbog siguro sa kama ni gloria.
sandali, ibang bugbog ibig kong sabihin ha 🙂
Nag-aartista na naman na maysakit si porky Pidal kasi bukas ay may malawakang rally! From St. Lukes siya tatakas!
Mike Arroyo’s blood pressure shoots up – Mikey
Sa kakaartista, matuluyan sanang maging baldado hanggang utak!
kawawa nga talaga si Madriaga..mahirap na siyang paniwalaan..kahit na nagsasabi siya ng totoo..kasi maynagsabi na humihingi siya ng kabayaran..napasubo talaga siya..
ganun talaga rose pag malaki ang offer pati pagkatao mo ipagpapalit mo. sus! sa milyong milyon na kurakot ba naman ng mga arroyo balewala na sa kanila kung tapakan nila pagkatao ng isang tao. basta pera tlaga kya nilang bilhin lahat pati na ata kaluluwa ng isang tao. nakakainis!
andun, pumunta na naman sa st. lukes. pagkatapos magpa acupuncture, ngayon naman, therapy. hmmm, kakaibang therapy. nabugbog siguro sa kama ni gloria.
sandali, ibang bugbog ibig kong sabihin ha
nabugbog ni gloria kse nabuko mga katiwalian ng pinag gagagawa ng asawa niya. kya sa takot si FG na lang pinag buntuan ng galit ni gloria… hehehe
Chi, huwag, huwag natin patayin si Fatso! Kailangan pa natin makitang makulong siya kasama ni Evil Bitch!
What these lawmakers should really busy themselves with is make sure the fundamental laws of the land are not revised, altered, and worse interpreted in the language of the Evil Bitch. Unbelievable talaga ang negligence ng mga ungas who cannot do anything but merely show those witnesses for a show that they are worth the salary they receive for their stupidity and neglect! Yuck talaga! I just can’t help feeling sorry for everyone still left in that what is now forsaken Philippines.
Pero wow ang yabang ni impakta. Superpower na raw ang Pilipinas by 2010. I wonder if this is what she has agreed with the Chinese to project to the world after all these transfers of Philippine territories to China! ‘Lol! Tell it to the marines, gaga!
May tanong lang ako which has somewhat bothered me. I was at a coffee shop and I heard a group to ‘matronas’ talking about Madriaga. One said that she knew for a fact that Madriaga is also a graduate of ‘PL’s Witness Academy’. She said this in relation to another senate witness before (not related to the ZTE scam) who she (one of the matronas) admitted that he (the witness) was taught by one of the senators on HOW he should answer to specific questions that they were going to ask in that senate hearing. This group of ‘matronas’ appear to be from the A to B+ groups in the society. Would anyone have something to say about this?