OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR MAR ROXAS
JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE NBN PROJECT

First of all, to Mr. Lozada: Welcome, we are all glad that you are safe. For many hours, so many across the nation were worried about your well-being, and we're glad that you're here before us.

This is not going to be an inquisition. I see nervousness in your face. Just relax. Like everyone else, we just want to know the truth. We sympathize with you, with the predicament that you're in. It was a very difficult last several days, weeks or months for you, and perhaps today, which is Constitution Day by the way, today, the truth will set you free.

It is so hard to do the right thing in our country today. And so I congratulate you for trying to do the right thing. I assure you that we here in the Senate will help you do the right thing, whatever that right thing is, and whatever that will mean. So we congratulate you, we applaud you, and we support your efforts to do the right thing.

What has happened to you shows that this broadband deal is not about modernizing the Philippines. It is about lining the pockets of those in power. It is not about serving the Republic, it is about syndicated looting of our Treasury.

How high does this conspiracy go, to silence you?

I agree with former Senator Salonga that the controversy arising from the NBN deal is a quarrel among thieves, and I am not taking any sides in this issue except for the people's side.

I hate it when functionaries in Malacañang call you a liar, and call senators grandstanders, when Cabinet members themselves are invoking executive privilege to escape the scrutiny of people.

And so I make this appeal to you: Even as we understand your predicament, be certain, be assured, that all we want is the truth. God bless you in today's hearings.