PRESS STATEMENT OF SENATOR M.A. MADRIGAL

I shall file before the Ombudsman tomorrow morning a criminal complaint to hold liable for obstruction of justice Secretaries EDUARDO ERMITA, JOSE ATIENZA JR., and ROMULO NERI; Malacañang Aides MANUEL GAITE, MARCELINO AGANA IV and REMEDIOS POBLADOR, PNP Chief AVELINO RAZON JR., PNP Officers PAUL MASCARINAS, and ROMEO C. HILOMEN; Former Secretary MICHAEL DEFENSOR, ROGER VALEROSO, NAIA officials ANGEL ATUTUBO, OCTAVIANO LINA, and lawyer ANTONIO BAUTISTA.

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO should have been impleaded in this suit as the "Mastermind" if not for her immunity from suit under the Constitution. However, after the end of her immunity on or before June 30, 2010, a case shall be filed against her for her participation in this case.

It is time to walk our talk and hold these persons accountable. The Filipino people know fully well that the lackeys of Malacañang were lying to protect their president. They now demand accountability. Their acts individually or taken together, clearly show their determination to prevent witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada from testifying in the Senate Hearing on the ZTE/Broadband Deal.

My counsels - the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) shall exhaust all legal efforts to ensure the prosecution of Mrs. Arroyo's lackeys for violation of Presidential 1829 otherwise known as the Decree "Penalizing Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders" and for Disturbance of the Proceeding of the Senate of the Philippines under Article 144 of the Revised Penal Code.

Obstruction of justice is a serious offense. In this case, it is abuse of power to protect one's greed.

Upon my filing of the criminal complaint, I demand that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez inhibit herself from hearing this complaint. She has no business hearing this complaint for being a known lackey of Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts.

TAMA NA, IPAKULONG NA!