Protests set as Senate resumes hearing on ZTE scandal, “Lying officials should be grilled to a crisp”

News Release
February 10, 2008



As top Palace officials are set to testify before the Senate invesgation on the ZTE scandal invovling the Arroyo administration, militant groups are again expected to hold protest actions at the Senate gate.

Among the targets of tomorrow's protest are DENR secretary Lito Atienza, CHED chairman Romulo Neri and PNP chief Avelino Razon.

“Ours has become a government founded on lies and deception. It is utterly sickening to listen to these officials as they try to wiggle out of their latest predicament. They are lying to the people and they are insulting our collective intelligence,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

Reyes said that they hope these “lying officials” would be “grilled to a crisp” during the Senate investigation. It has been reported that the officials will be allowed to appear before the Senate and that EO 464 would not be invoked. “The public is expecting some measure of payback for all the lies we were fed the past few days,” Reyes said.

“Government machinery and resources were used in a conspiracy to cover up corruption in the ZTE deal. It has been one lie after another. Delicadeza would dictate that these officials resign from their posts. Unfortunately such a concept is unheard of in the Arroyo administration,” Reyes said.

The group hope that the role of the “ES and ma'am” mentioned by witness Jun Lozada would be clarified. “There will be a severe political backlash on the Arroyo regime if the truth on the cover up comes out finally,” Reyes said.

“While Atienza, Neri and Razon are attending the hearing, they might again invoke 'executive privilege' as their catch-all excuse for evading questions.” the Bayan leader added.

Bayan said that former cabinet secretary Mike Defensor should also be investigated citing his role as “special operator” of Malacanang.

Bayan has announced that more protest actions are scheduled this month to press for the accountability of high government offiicals involved in the ZTE mess.


10 Feb 2008 - 13:27 by bayan