They were informed by members of the Pasig City Police that the Sandigan Bayan has issued an arrest warrant for Lozada in connection with a graft case filed by Erwin Santos, the current president of Philippines Forest Corporation , and Arroyo’s hatchet man when the former was a resource person in the Senate investigation on the anomalous $320 million telecommunications.
It’s disturbing. So alarming that today (Feb.6), members of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines are meeting with some members of the Aquino cabinet at the Department of Justice at 9 a.m.on Lozada’s situation. Would Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda be there? Lacierda was the lawyer of Lozada when they were still working to bring down Gloria Arroyo.
Last Saturday, Lozada wrote close friends and supporters after getting a frantic call from his wife, Violet. Excerpts from that letter:
“Early this morning of Feb. 2, 2013 around a little past 7AM, elements of the Pasig City Police came to my house looking for me. Violet, who was home at the time, spoke with them. They told her of the arrest warrant that had been issued against me by the Sandigan Bayan based upon the charges brought to me by the Ombudsman, (approved by Conchita Carpio Morales.)
“They also told her that by this time they are certain that my arrest warrant has been received by the other law enforcement units… CIDG, NBI, etc. They told her that it would be wise for me to post bail because I can be arrested anytime, anywhere. After which they left our home. (I somehow have this funny feeling why they will go to such length. For I see no plausible reason why they would be so charitable to us to deserve their advice.)
“Violet is so freaked out after the police left when she called me. I’m assuming due to the recent incident in Batangas where the police served an arrest warrant to a man suspected of some involvement with jueteng. The man peacefully went with the police dressed only in his briefs, because he was not even allowed to wear his pants. About 50 meters away from the house where the man was taken, he was shot dead with the explanation that he attempted to shot one the arresting policemen. “
Lozada was referring to Fernando Morales, allegedly a member of the jueteng network of Vic Siman who was among those killed in an ambush in Atimonan, Quezon last month.
He was brought to Laguna and Libis, during which time he met with former presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor who gave him P50,000 and told him to call a press conference and deny that he was kidnapped.
It was during that circuitous journey home that Lozada had his sort of epiphany. If before that he was unsure of whether take the “safer” option chosen by his good friend Romy Neri, who kept quiet, he decided to do his share for the Filipino people and tell all what he knows of the project that would have defrauded the Filipino people of P14.8 billion.
Lozada surfaced on Feb. 7, 2008 in a 2 a.m. conference at La Salle Greenhills and confirmed that persons close to Malacañang had a hand in his kidnapping, which is related to the ZTE deal.
The decision to take on Arroyo and her “greedy group”, in the words of another NBE/ZTE witness, Dante Madriaga, drastically changed Lozada’s life. He and his family lived under the sanctuary of the De La Salle brothers for two- and-a- half years that Arroyo was in power.
In his email, Lozada said “I feel so bad to let her (Violet) go through these tribulations all over again, especially that she is alone at home. It was different when we were at the sanctuary, somehow it has a built -in support mechanism which she can lean on during times like these.”
With Arroyo out of power, Lozada does not feel the supposed change under the Aquino administration. He is continuously being prosecuted while many of those who were allies of Arroyo are very much part of the Aquino administration.
A prosecutor involved in the plunder case against Arroyo et al on the NBN/ZTE deal, asked Lozada awkwardly if he would still be a government witness even if the government is also trying to jail him on the PFC case.
Lozada told him his being a witness in the NBN/ZTE case is “duty to the Filipino people.”
In his email, Lozada said, “Personally, I am angry and hurt at the same time that this is happening under this administration…The pain is always deeper when my family is the one getting hurt. “
He added:“Hindi ako sumisingil ng utang na loob sa mga nakapuwesto ngayon, lalo na sa mga Aquino at mga kabinete niya. Pero itong patuloy niyang pagkukupkop sa kaisa-isang testigo ni Gloria Arroyo sa akin bilang presidente ng Phil. Forest Corp sa loob ng halos 3 taong niyang pagiging pangulo. Ito ay isang hindi tahasang paraan upang hayaan ni PNoy na ipagpatuloy ang mag harassment cases sa akin ni GMA.. na ngayon nga ay humantong na dito sa masakit na kalagayang ito.”
Lozada related that a who is close to President Aquino said to him: “I am sure that PNoy will never take the side of an Arroyo crony”.
Lozada replied: “I am sure that PNoy will not take the side of an Arroyo crony. What I am afraid of is that PNoy finds a common cause of their disdain for me or what I stood for”.
Ang magsabi ng totoo at gumawa ng katarungan para sa karamihang ikabubuti, lagi ng pasang krus or carrying of the cross of Jesus Christ..Ito na siguro ang kalakaran talaga sa buong mundo..Ang mundo ng mga maka-salanan at taliwas sa pag-gawa ng kabutihan..Mas naka-karami ang mga “hudas” at silaw sa agimat ng salapi…Dapat mabuhay na muli ang spirito nina A. Bonifacio at DRJPRizal, at mga tunay na bayani, na may-pagalang sa tunay na katutuhanan, at takot sa Diyos…
Malakas kay Noy ang “kaisa-isang testigo ni Gloria” kay Lozada? Kaya pala walang gana si Noynoy na suportahan sya. Sad naman considering na si Romy Neri nakita kong nakikisalamuha na sa media sa isang party ng ABS-CBN.
I remember Jun’s arrival from Hong Kong, and the scare that he felt when he was abducted / kidnapped upon arrival. It is so sad, that Jun and his family have not had the opportunity to live in peace after his testimony against Arroyo and cohorts.
Similarly, Jun is correct on his fear (heard in another interview)for his life, citing the Murder of Ms. Marlene Esperat, who shot to death in front of her kids_May her soul rest in peace, 5 years after testifying in the Joc Joc Bolante Fertilizer scam. Also investigated by the Senate.
This part is for the Filipino People. :
“A prosecutor involved in the plunder case against Arroyo et al on the NBN/ZTE deal, asked Lozada awkwardly if he would still be a government witness even if the government is also trying to jail him on the PFC case.
Lozada told him his being a witness in the NBN/ZTE case is “duty to the Filipino people.””
Now, that is courageous and true to form on his part. True to his previous pronouncement, during the Senate Hearing, that he is testifying to let the Filipino People know the dysfunctional procurement process and how big the Tongpats are in government projects. Bubukol talaga.
Be safe Jun.
LoZada opportunity to bring all his knowlwdge of how the inner workings of the Crooks operate from within in a venue whee it Wil matter most, the court of law… And he was not in any way benefitted from the same to clear his name. But doubt it very much…the must be some evidence to have arrested and charge for graft. The administration CAN NOT be Selective in its Campaign against this very Scourge of society. Must treat every crook the same…. A dose of his own medicine. Just what dossage . There is the Plea Bargaining if one can be of help to the State.
Parang mababaliktad na naman ang mundo. Sabi nga bilog ang mundo. Parang sa ngayon unti unti ng nababasura ang kaso ni GMA. Baka makalaya na sa kulungan tapos si Lozada naman ang kulong.