CBCP head hails Lozada revelations
'It is a very heroic thing for him to speak that way,' says Lagdameo
Catholic Bishops of the Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo yesterday lauded Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. for coming out and airing his views on the controversial ZTE broadband deal.
"It is a very heroic thing for him to speak that way,"Lagdameo said in a telephone interview.
The prelate said he is also thankful that Lozada surfaced unharmed and safe. "I am thankful that Mr. Lozada had been saved from the danger (against) his life. It is something to thank God for."
Asked on the presence of priests and nuns at Lozada's press conference at 3 a.m. yesterday at the La Salle Greenhills, Lagdameo said some church officials had given help to Lozada from possible threats against his life.
"In our previous pastoral statements, the bishops have already spoken out against continued abductions and killings in our country," he said.
Lagdameo said persons close to Lozada had earlier sought his help because of alleged threats against the key witness in the national broadband network (NBN) deal. He advised them to seek the help of any bishop in Manila because he is based in Iloilo, the seat of the Jaro Archdiocese.
Asked if he found credible Lozada's statements that linked First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos to the alleged overprice of China's $329-million contract for the NBN project, Lagdameo said: "We will not be able to judge what he said for now."
But he said the overpricing and kickbacks that accompanied the NBN deal, as alleged by Lozada, "are something that we should really object to."
"These are all appearances of graft and corruption in government," said Lagdameo.
He called for the continuation of the investigation on the scrapped deal including the statements of Lozada, saying the investigation would allow people to air their views.
"We are all looking for the truth and the truth always hurts. We don't know who will get hurt by the truth," he said.
The CBCP president said with developments in the controversy, there is a "great need in the season of Lent for social conscience."
"We must all think of the common good rather than just on one's own," said Lagdameo.