By CJ KUIZON, CHERYLL FIEL, MARILOU AGUIRRE, GRACE UDDIN and DAISY GONZALES | Davao Today
The statements of government contractor Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada directly links the first family to the allegedly corrupt ZTE national broadband transaction.
After the Senate investigations — broadcast live nationwide – made Juan dela Cruz a first-hand witness to alleged wheeling and dealings in Malacaang, discussions about the deal’s irregularities become the standard fare in many a living room, classroom, office, house of worship and corner variety store.
Substantiating earlier corruption claims by businessman Jose de Venecia III — which supposedly led to the ouster of his father as Speaker of the House of Representatives — Lozada’s testimony has sparked a nationwide interest in the search for truth.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has asked for the scrapping of Executive Order 464, which prohibits government officials from appearing in the Senate or any other investigation without the President’s specific instructions.
While mayors belonging to the Mindanao cluster of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) signed a manifesto expressing support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lozada’s accounts intensified anti-Arroyo sentiments among the broad masses. In Davao, the rest of Mindanao and the country, mobilizations find thousands of people in the streets. Will Lozada’s testimony be enough of a spark that will ignite moves that will precipitate a change leadership?
Davao Today gathered some of these reactions.
“There are signs that the expos of Rodolfo Lozada Jr. will lead to another people’s uprising. More people want the truth to come out and for GMA to resign. The students in big schools and universities in Metro Manila, for instance. This is because of Jun Lozada’s high credibility as whistleblower. Progressive groups should double their efforts in making people understand the implications of Lozada’s expos on the lives of people; to hasten our alliances with other sectors, the religious, business, youth and students.”
Joel Virador, national vice-president, Bayan Muna
“It’s possible because a lot of people are already angry at the brazen corruption of Gloria, the First Gentleman and their lapdogs.”
Editha Inday Duterte, Anakpawis Southern Mindanao spokesperson
“I think the expos of Jun Lozada on the ZTE scandal is enough to make another people power happen. What it needs is the support of the majority of people.
Romualdo Basilio, KMU SMR chairperson
“I believe that Lozada’s expos can overthrow a leader. People are no longer satisfied and happy about how she runs the affairs of the country. The only thing that can possibly prevent it is GMA’s own machinations. We all saw how she tried to do this in previous impeachment attempts, bribing people and making all the machineries at her disposal work for the purpose. There is a possibility that she will do everything again, as she did in the past, to remain in power. And this calls for us to be determined and consistent in pushing our goals, always believing that the people themselves are the forces decisive in ousting a leader from power.”
Melba Gambong, secretary general, Gabriela SMR
“I believe the expos of Lozada on the ZTE scandal can create another people power, especially if the investigation at the Senate continues. It is clear in the exposs of Lozada that GMA no longer has the credibility to stay in power. We all know that GMA will never resign from the presidency and this calls for an uprising.”
Edil Gonzaga, Spokesperson, transport group Transmision-Piston (Transport of Southern Mindanao for Solidarity, Independence and Nationalism- Pagkakais ng Tsuper at Operyetor Nationwide (Piston)
