Ilonggo youths gird for Lozada visit on Mar. 14
Unfazed by threats, ZTE-NBN whistle-blower Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. will be coming to Iloilo and Bacolod cities as part of his provincial trips to give talks on the alleged bribery scandal.
Lozada announced to students and youths attending a protest concert here last Friday that he will be in Iloilo on March 14 to meet with groups and speak before students calling for truth and accountability on the scrapped ZTE-NBN.
Protest organizers said he will proceed to Bacolod City in the afternoon after arriving in Iloilo.
In his statement, Lozada called on the youth to remain vigilant and relentless in their fight against corruption in government.
Huwag kayong titigil. Ang dami-dami ng anomalya na naririto sa pamahalaan natin. Kahit isa walang natapos, walang nalutas. Kahit isa, hindi natin nalaman ang katotohanan (Don't stop. There are many anomalies happening in our government. Not one has been resolved. We do not know the truth in even just one of these anomalies)," said Lozada through phone patch.
The surprise statement of Lozada at the height of the concert held at the grounds of the Iloilo provincial capitol, sent the more than 400 protesters, mostly students, into a frenzy.
The protesters clapped and cheered, at times drowning out Lozada's speech as he congratulated Ilonggo students for being part of the protest movement calling for truth and justice in connection with the NBN-ZTE bribery scandal.
He asked the help of the youth to push the government to reveal the truth behind the scrapped deal.
I hope that I can rely on you not to stop until the truth on the NBN-ZTE deal will be known," said Lozada.
He spoke while video clips showing caricatures mocking President Macapagal-Arroyo, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and Commission on Higher Education Chair Romulo Neri were flashed in a giant screen beside the stage.
The concert, organized by the Youth for Accountability and Truth (Y ACT), was joined by student councils, publications and other organizations from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, University of San Agustin, Central Philippine University, West Visayas State University and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology
The concert was also attended by members of the Anakbayan, Kabataan Party, League of Filipino Students, National Union of Students of the Philippines and Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral at Kabataang Kababaihan and the Kristiyanong Kabataan Para sa Bayan, the youth arm of the Jesus Is Lord (JIL) movement.
The protesters held a torch parade in the city's main streets before holding the concert which lasted until past 9 p.m.
Some students here decided to dance and party in protest instead of hanging out in bars and restaurants especially since this is a weekend," said Rizza Joy Mapa, Y Act convenor.
Many of the protesters called for the resignation of President Macapagal-Arroyo.
Mapa said the protest rock concert debunked claims of allies of the President Macapagal-Arroyo that the protest actions calling for her resignation were only concentrated in Makati and in Manila.
The youth are being roused nationwide by the greed and callousness of those holding the highest positions in our country," Mapa added.
At the end of his statement, Lozada further roused the youths when he announced that he will be coming to Iloilo on March 14 as part of his visits to the provinces to speak on the ZTE-NBN issue.
Local and school-based rock and folk bands performed at the concert with a mixture of militant and religious songs calling for justice.
At the start the concert, the protesters jeered as the "presence" of the President was acknowledged by showing her caricature on the video screen.
The youth should fight not only for the future but for today," said Joy Tababa of the Kristiyanong Kabataan Para sa Bayan
Our country has suffered so much and for so long already because of corruption and injustice," she said.
While activists groups were present, many of those who spoke and attended the protest were first-timers, several of whom apologized for stuttering when they spoke before protesters.
Francis, Diocson, 19, said that in the past, he was contented on only watching protest rallies.
"Now, it is not enough to be watching at the sidelines and just reading the pamphlets being given by activists. We have to be involved," he said.
February, a 19-year old sophomore at the West Visayas State University, said it was inspiring to hear Lozada's voice.
If he mustered courage to speak out and fight for what is right, why can't we?" she said.