STATEMENT OF SEN. MAR ROXAS ON PRESIDENT ARROYO'S ADMISSION OF FLAWED NBN DEAL

"This is the President's second public 'mea culpa' after a major scandal of public interest, which in this instance is the ZTE-NBN deal. In the first instance, the 'Hello Garci' wiretapping incident that points to alleged fraud in the 2004 presidential polls, she said, 'I am sorry'.

"But after saying so, she put out orders that limited freedom of expression and of the press, that compromised and denigrated the independence of Congress, and sent a chilling effect to all.

"Bakit tayo ngayon maniniwala na pagkatapos ng pag-amin ng Pangulo ay magkakaroon ng hustisya? Na hindi na mauulit ang mga ganitong anomalya?

"How can we believe in the sincerity of the President to set things right in the face of E.O. 464, the Lozada abduction and harassment clearly intended to impede truth and justice?

"How can we believe in the sincerity and motives of the President if she is using our diplomatic relations with China as an excuse for not preventing a crime against the Filipino people?

"If the President is indeed sincere in her latest admission of fault, then she should immediately lift E.O. 464; order the NEDA Director-General to submit to the Senate all NEDA-ICC documents in relation to the NBN; and other actions that respect the people's right to free expression and to information.

"Without these actions, the status quo remains, and the people's crusade for truth will snowball."