Press Release
February 11, 2008

Villar resents government effort to block witnesses from testifying
in the Senate

Senate President Manny Villar today aired his resentment over the Executive Department's apparent and continuing effort to prevent vital witnesses from appearing before Senate inquiries on anomalies in government.

Villar made this statement after hearing testimonies showing that there was an intention to stop former Environment official Rodolfo Lozada from testifying before the Senate inquiry on the $329 million ZTE-National Broadband Network deal.

Villar, questioning Manila International Airport Administration Asst. General Manager Angel Atutubo, said he takes exception to testimonies stating that Executive Department officials, including law enforcement officials and airport officials, acted to prevent Senate custody of Lozada.

"Mr. Chairman, I resent this. Alam mo, kanina pa ako nakikinig dito. Nakita ko na parang merong attitude on the part of our law enforcement people, dito sa ating government officials din, sa executive department, na parang merong tendency na huwag pa-atendin at tulungan iyong mga ayaw umattend sa Senado," Villar said.

Villar was referring to the disappearance of Lozada at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after he arrived from Hongkong on February 5. Villar said he believes that Lozada was taken against his free will even as government officials insisted that Lozada himself asked for protection.

The Nacionalista Party president added the government acted as if a Senate appearance will result in havoc or that Lozada's life will be in danger while on Senate custody.

"Gusto ko lamang liwanagin, iyong mga parang ililigtas ninyo si Mr. Lozada, from whom? From the Senate?," an irate Villar asked during the hearing.

Villar said government official's actuations create the impression that testifying before the Senate is something to be feared and challenge the integrity of the Senate as a democratic institution.

"I would like to clarify that the Senate, when issuing invitations for resource persons to appear before inquiries, is only acting on its duties mandated by the Constitution to provide the system of check and balance in government. We are not here to threaten people. We are doing this in pursuit of the truth," Villar said.

The Senate President also asked Executive officials to respect Senate invitations while expressing the assurance that whoever comes to the Senate is accorded with maximum courtesy.

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