Press Release
October 24, 2007

KIKO: SENATE TO ASK FG TO SUBMIT
DEPOSITION ON NBN ZTE PROBE

Following First Gentleman Mike Arroyo's refusal to attend the Senate NBN ZTE hearing scheduled this Thursday, Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan said the Senate is left with no other choice but to compel Mr. Arroyo to submit depositions or written interrogatories to answer questions on his alleged involvement in the controversy.

"Nasa Rules of Court ang pagsusumite ng deposition kung ang isang testigo ay may karamdaman. Kaya hihilingin ng Senado kay Unang Ginoo Mike Arroyo na magsumite ng deposition para mabigyan siya ng pagkakataong masagot ang mga paratang sa kanya ni Joey de Venecia," Kiko said.

De Venecia linked the First Gentleman to the anomalous P200B NBN ZTE project, saying the latter told him to "back off" from the deal in a meeting which took place before the 2007 elections.

Mr. Arroyo declined the Senate invitation to attend the hearing through a letter saying his physicians prohibited him from exposing himself to any form of stress. But Kiko said he will still ask the Senate physician, through the Blue Ribbon Committee, to look into the First Gentleman's real condition.

"Hihilingin din natin sa Blue Ribbon Committee na atasan ang Senate physician na gumawa ng sariling pagsisiyasat sa kundisyon ni FG upang magkaroon ng independent findings ang Senado sa tunay na niyang kalagayan." added Kiko.

The Senate launched similar inquiries last year regarding the true state of health of National Security Adviser Sec. Norberto Gonzales and PCCG Chair Camilo Sabio. Both cited medical reasons for their refusal to answer questions on different committee hearings.

"Kailangang malaman ng Senado ang tunay na kalagayan ng Unang Ginoo para na rin mawala ang mga duda na ginagamit lang niyang dahilan ang kanyang maselang kundisyon para hindi makadalo sa pagdinig," said Kiko.

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