LOZADA ENTITLED TO PROTECTION BY THE SENATE -- PIMENTEL
Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (PDP-Laban) today said the Senate is
duty-bound to support and protect NBN-ZTE witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada but
not to the extent of being perceived as encroaching on the jurisdiction of
the court over any complaint against him.
Pimentel stressed that the Senate should refrain from any action that will
create the wrong impression that it enjoys preponderance over the judiciary
on matters that are within its competence to resolve.
He made the statement as a group of senators are set to file a motion with
the Manila Regional Trial Court today seeking the release from jail of
Lozada to them on recognizance. The move was based on the presumption that
Lozada remains under Senate’s custody as a witness to the NBN-ZTE
controversy.
“If the court is discharging its duties in accordance with the scope of its
authority and jurisdiction, the better course of action – and this is my
personal opinion – is to post bail for Jun Lozada so that the court can
order his release,” the minority leader said.
Lozada said he would prefer to be imprisoned, rather than post bail for his
temporary liberty, because he wanted the court to rule on the perjury case
filed against him by former Presidential Chief-of-Staff and Secretary
Michael Defensor.
“I know that Lozada does not want to post bail but he has not said that you
should not post bail in his behalf. An accused person can post bail by
himself or another person may do it on his behalf,” he said.
Pimentel said Lozada at the same time can request the court to allow him to
be put back under Senate custody for his protection. He pointed out that the
whistleblower was placed under the Senate’s witness protection program to
prevent him from being harmed.
Under the judicial system enshrined in the Constitution, he pointed out that
the decision on matters regarding guilt or innocence of an accused person
rests with the courts and not with the law-making body.
Pimentel said that although Lozada should face the charges against him in
court, he believes that this part of the administration’s harassment against
him.
“And that is what is deplorable about the whole thing. Lozada who is risking
his life to denounce corruption in government is being persecuted and jailed
while those who are trying to silence him or are engaged in the coverup of a
scam are being rewarded. That should not happen in a democratic society like
us,” he said
Pimentel said he plans to visit Lozada in prison as soon as his health
condition improves to show his support for him and his cause.
Date: May 3, 2009
Ref: Omeng Maglangit / (02) 5526733 |
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