NEWS RELEASE
17 November 2007

For Reference: REP LIZA MAZA 0920-9134540; REP LUZ ILAGAN 0920-9213221

CASE SOLVED EVEN BEFORE IT STARTED

The women's partylist group that sustained a fatality and three
casualties in Tuesday's bombing of the Batasan complex said they were
not at all convinced at the PNP's findings on the Batasan blast
following the raid in Payatas, Quezon City.

"From day one of the investigation, it was clear that they already had
a working theory that already discounted angles other than that it was
perpetrated by Rep. Akbar's political rivals. It was a case of the
conclusion coming before the evidence. The case was prejudged even
before the blast," said Gabriela Women's Partylist Representative Liza
Maza.

"A thorough and fairly decent investigation would at the very least
question eyewitnesses, identify vehicles caught on the Congress' south
wing security camera, as well as its passengers. The PNP has done
nothing in this investigation except issue statements and produce
evidence to match their theory," said Maza.

For Representative Luz Ilagan who sustained a leg injury in the blast,
"Everything appears so contrived, it's ridiculous. The manner with
which they conducted their investigation is an insult. The PNP owes it
to the victims and our families, as well as to the House of
Representatives to have a decent, impartial and acceptable
investigation on this tragedy." #