Senator Arroyo: Lozada credible witness but documents needed
By Veronica Uy
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:32:00 02/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Joker Arroyo, who has been taking flak for his reaction to the statement by the key witness in the national broadband controversy during Monday’s Senate hearing, now says that he “seems to be a credible witness.”
But at the same time, Arroyo said he would have to check the official transcripts to see if Rodolfo Lozada Jr. was consistent about his testimony. He also bewailed that Lozada did not have any documents with him that would verify all his oral testimony.
“In oral testimony, you look at the demeanor. From his demeanor, he seems to be a credible witness. But if you really want to get at the truth, you look at the transcripts of his testimony,” he said.
Arroyo still refused to talk about Lozada’s visit to his wife in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City. “It’s personal,” he said.
But on Monday night, in an interview with reporters, Lozada said Arroyo’s wife told him that it would be best for him not to get involved in the Senate inquiry into the NBN contract that was forged with China’s ZTE Corp.
At that time, Lozada said he was adamant about not going to the Senate. He said Arroyo’s wife, human-rights lawyer Felicitas Aquino, told him the controversy would “mawawala rin [would just blow away].”
Senator Arroyo compared Lozada to bank executive Clarissa Ocampo, the main witness in the impeachment case against former president Joseph Estrada, who saw the ex-leader sign bank documents as Jose Velarde.
He said that while Lozada might be credible, documents supporting his statements would have made his testimony stronger.
Meanwhile, Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., an Arroyo ally, called for an end to the Senate inquiry into the NBN agreement.
“Masakit mang sabihin pero ito’y [It might be painful to say but this is] grandstanding, circus na [it’s a circus],” he said.
Revilla said the Senate should not be used for political purposes because the body should be used for legislation. He said a case should be filed in court.
“Alam naman natin kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo…Wala namang pakinabang ang maliliit na mamamayan dito [We now know who is speaking the truth and not…Ordinary citizens have no use of this inquiry],” he said.
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