Press statement of Senator Chiz Escudero

On the SC's proposed compromise agreement on Neri...

Fine, let's go through the shorter but tedious process if only to break the political impasse, BUT adopting this set up lies on the shaky assumption that Neri will tell the naked truth when he appears before the senate.

Once Neri takes the witness stand again before this body, he better convince us that he will answer truthfully, because as I remember, Jun Lozada, who knows Neri personally, already deemed him to have crossed over the side of this embattled administration which had tried so much but failed to cover up this imbroglio.

(Official transcript of Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing on NBN-ZTE deal last February 8, 2008, 12:03 p.m.:

Sen. Escudero: Ngayon nalilito po ako. Si Secretary Neri kung magsalita parang siya ang bayani na naglabas ng lahat ng mga bagay-bagay na ito. Pero base sa inyong mga isinalaysay kaugnay sa kanyang tema ng pananalita sa inyo, eh tila hindi ninyo ho siya kakampi rito at tila kampi ho siya sa kabila. Na tila ang ipinagtatanggol niya ay sila na nasa administrasyon at tila wala po siya sa panig ninyo. Ganun din po ba ang dating sa inyo?

Jun Lozada: I know he cares for me, but in this particular case, I guess he has chosen a side but I still respect him.)