Press statement of Sen. Jamby Madrigal

For the past few days, a lot of stories have circulated regarding my trip to Switzerland and the Netherlands. It has always been my policy to be transparent in all my actions. I have nothing to hide and fear. Wala po akong itinatago at wala akong kinakatakutan.

Allow me now to point out the following:

1. I did not violate any law. Wala po akong nilabag na batas.

2. I only have the interest of the Filipino people in mind when I spoke to and held a dialogue with the members of the National Democratic Front Peace Panel (NDFPP).

3. I am willing to submit myself to an investigation of my peers.

I strongly belie the accusations made by Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye that I have betrayed the publics trust. I am a Senator of the Filipino people and not of Mrs. Arroyo. My loyalty is to the Filipino people. Ako po ay Senador ng Bayan at hindi ni Gng. Arroyo.

I question however the motive behind Malacanangs reactions to my actions. Is this their plan to hide from the public the results of my visit to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) and the Interparliamentary Union (IPU)?

In my visit to the United Nations, I am pleased to report that, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Ambeyi Ligabo has expressed serious concern on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines. He has committed to prioritize the investigation of the human rights abuses in our country and ensure that the Philippines will be under tight scrutiny when it is evaluated during the peer review of the UN Human Rights Council.

If I will be persecuted for my actions, so be it. If this is the price I have to pay for the sake of peace, open dialogue and genuine social and political reforms, I shall accept it. Ako ay para sa katahimikan at kapayapaan. I am for peace. Kung ito po ang kabayaran upang magkaroon ng katahimikan at huwag nang maglaban ang kapwa Pilipino, tinantanggap ko po ito.

I would like to thank the members of the Senate, Senators Drilon, Biazon, Pimentel, Osmena and Magsaysay, who have defended me in my absence. They are indeed the voice of the Filipino people and I am humbled to be in their midst.

To Mrs. Arroyo, my challenge is simple resume the peace talks now and stop the killings!