OPENING STATEMENT OF SEN. ROXAS IN TODAY'S NBN HEARINGS

"To put things in perspective, today is our 11th hearing on this NBN-ZTE issue. The hearings started in September 2007. Just to put a timeline to the events, the Boao signing that the President referred to over the weekend happened April 21, 2007. On September 3, a gag order was issued by Malacañang to all officials in contemplation of the Senate hearings organized relative to this NBN-ZTE anomaly.

"On September 11, a TRO was issued by the Supreme Court on this contract. Our first hearing happened on September 18, 2007, and Malacañang issues a directive suspending the contract September 22.

"Clearly, hindi kusang loob ng ehekutibo na itigil o i-suspend itong contract na ito. Tuloy-tuloy ito mula noong Abril, noong sabi ng Pangulo una niyang nadinig na may anomalya ito. Tuloy-tuloy ang kontrata na ito. In fact, nagkaroon nga ng gag order sa mga executives para hindi magsalita tungkol dito, at ang Supreme Court ang siyang nagpatigil dito sa pamamagitan ng TRO, at pati na rin ng Senado sa pamamagitan ng mga hearings na nagsimula September 18.

"What appeared to be just another example in a long list of examples of anomalous government contracts has metamorphosed into a complex coverup involving now abduction of our own citizens. And now like an unstoppable virus, it has spread forth, and our Republic, our government, is in crisis.

"Madame President, we need to know who told, what was told to you and what was done about the information conveyed to you. In this context, please help by rescinding EO 464 and all of its effects; instructing your Cabinet and all officials to appear here and to tell what they know about this, and if necessary, suspend those who are not cooperating in ferreting out the details on this anomalous transaction.

"You can also help by instructing the NEDA to release the documents of the NEDA meetings that finally approved this NBN-ZTE shortly before your trip to Boao. Thank you very much."