BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- Former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. branded Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr., the key witness in the Senate inquiry into the scandal-tainted national broadband network (NBN) deal, a "pathological liar."

"Everything Lozada has been saying is scripted, including allegations that I pose a threat to his life," Abalos said here Wednesday night.

Abalos is in Bacolod for the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub golf tournament which began Thursday.

In his testimony before the Senate investigation of the NBN deal, Lozada linked Abalos to the alleged bribery and overpricing surrounding the botched NBN deal between the Arroyo government and China?s ZTE Corp.

Abalos also accused church groups that have been demanding the truth about the contract, which was scrapped after the Senate began its inquiry, of having have closed minds and refusing to listen no matter how much he explained his side.

However, Abalos said he has taken comfort from the many people who greet him warmly and tell him they do not believe Lozada's allegations.

"Eventually, the lies Lozada has been telling will crumble," Abalos said.

Abalos said he would definitely file libel and perjury charges against Lozada for allegedly lying under oath as soon as he gets the transcript of the Senate witness? testimony.