PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — THE Court of Appeals’ rejection of the petition for writ of amparo filed by ZTE witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada only shows that facts can never be overturned by teary-eyed theatrics.
This was pointed out yesterday by Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino as he stressed that the CA decision in relation to claims of abduction by Lozada should now distinguish the difference between facts that can withstand legal scrutiny and mere claims that are full of drama and theatrics but bereft of any evidence.
“This decision of the appellate court only shows that Lozada’s testimonies in the Senate are only good for show to the media but are useless in courts where evidence is more important than drama,” he said.
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez added that the decision also raises serious doubts on the truthfulness of the other allegations Lozada made in relation to the alleged anomalies in the botched National Broadband Network project.
“In simple terms, the CA decision means that Lozada’s claim was based on his fear of the unknown and not on factual events. This also raises a serious credibility problem on his testimonies in relation to other issues in the ZTE-NBN controversy,” the representative from Leyte said.
Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita also welcomed the CA decision saying this should already provide the closure for the ZTE-NBN controversy which has divided the nation on the basis of “one’s fear of the unknown.”
Other administration lawmakers also called on Lozada to respect the CA ruling.
Rep. Antonio Alvarez said the court has spoken and its decision must be accepted. Alvarez said Lozada cannot begrudge or fault the CA since the court gave him all the opportunity to prove his allegations of kidnapping by security men on his return on February 5 from Hong Kong.
“As pointed out by the CA in denying his petition for a Writ of Amparo, there was no proof that Lozada’s life, liberty and security were threatened by government officials,” said Alvarez.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol said Lozada should apologize to Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.
Apostol said the ruling proved that Atienza and Razon were set-up contrary to Lozada’s claim that there was an attempt to kidnap him upon his arrival from Hong Kong last February 5.
“He should apologize. Itong mga tao na ito na siniraan niya, dapat makatanggap ng apology mula sa kanya dahil sumamasama siya, pinakain pa siya pagkatapos gagawan niya ng istorya, pinalaki,” he said.
“Actually di lang nga apology dapat kasuhan pa nila si Lozada kapag naging final na ruling ng court. Paninirang puri, kidnap me nangyari e,” he added.