Jinggoy to GMA: "Let loose of Neri; let him testify anew in Senate"

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada today called on Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to "let loose" of CHEd chairman Romulo Neri and allow him to testify anew at the Senate inquiry into the controversy surrounding the aborted $329 million national broadband network (NBN) deal.

Estrada was reacting to Neri's earlier statement as quoted in media reports that "it was not his own decision to refuse to attend the hearings," and saying "I have to follow my superiors... my bosses in the executive."

"It is very clear that it is Malacañang that is preventing Neri from returning to the Senate and telling the whole truth of what he knows about the controversy," Estrada said.

Neri, during the Senate's hearing last year, had testified that he had reported to the President the alleged attempt of then Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. to bribe him with P200 million to approve the broadband project.

Neri refused, however, to disclose what the President ordered him to do after that, and he later went to the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from forcing him to testify further, citing "executive privilege."

Estrada said Arroyo must now allow Neri to return to the Senate and testify, if only to show that she is not hiding anything about the scandal.

Estrada supported the appeal by resigned Philippine Forestry Corp. CEO Rodolfo Lozada Jr. to Neri to just "follow his heart and tell the truth."

"Chairman Neri is the one who could - and must - supply the final piece in this puzzle," Estrada said.