February 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference:
Sarah Katrina Maramag
Vice-Chairperson/Media Officer, 09193486790

Eleanor de Guzman
Chairperson, 09282555423

'Deliver us from evil'
Neri, PLEASE speak up – Anakbayan

Youth group Anakbayan today urged CHED Head Romulo Neri to 'deliver the nation from evil and speak up.'

Anakbayan national chairperson Eleanor de Guzman said that Sec. Neri might be the 'missing link' who that has the sole power to confirm or deny Mr. Lozada's revelations.

"The youth appeals to Sec. Neri to free himself of Malacanang's hold. We understand his dilemma and offer him the youth's moral support as we are now granting solidly to Mr. Lozada," de Guzman said.

De Guzman also slammed yesterday's Malacanang-led press conference with Neri. "They are clearly holding him (Neri) back, short of dictating to him what to say. The mere fact that he did not categorically deny Mr. Lozada's statement is a tell-tale sign of his misgivings."

Lozada, after much prodding, said in yesterday's Senate hearings that Neri called Mrs. Gloria Arroyo 'evil,' to which Neri said he 'could not remember saying it'.

Sham Ombudsman proceedings
De Guzman likewise criticized what she called the 'sham proceedings' of the Office of the Ombudsman.

"(It is) Another diversionary tactic by the Arroyo administration to make it appear that they are addressing the ZTE mess. The Ombudsman proceedings merely aim to counteract the explosive Senate hearings. Thanks, but no thanks."

De Guzman added, "It fails to garner in public support and trust in that it was another Malacanang minion, DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzales, who initiated it in the first place." ###