Lozada committed an act of valor and integrity, not destabilization

Rep. Risa Hontiveros said that dismissing Lozada's explosive
statement as an attempt to destabilize the country would not do,
saying that what Lozada divulged lays accountability on the NBN deal
at the doorstep of Malacanang.

"What he said corroborates previous testimonies made by Joey De
Venecia and Sec. Romulo Neri, making these allegations of corruption
involving the NBN deal a sticky and unbearable truth for the Arroyo
family," Rep. Hontiveros said. "Dismissing it would not do and we must
be able to identify who is ultimately accountable for this
controversy. The Arroyo family should face the music to put a closure
to this issue."

She lauded Lozada for his bravery and sense of integrity. "The
strongest critique that any decent Filipino could do in light of a
government known for the basest form of fraud and corruption is to
stand up for truth and justice. The symbol of Filipino integrity and
valor is not carried by high officials, certainly not those in
Malacañang, but by people like Lozada. We hope that he would be
steadfast and unforgiving in this journey to unearth the truth behind
the NBN anomaly," Rep. Hontiveros said.

The deputy minority leader, meanwhile, chastised the Office of the
Ombudsman for sitting on a case filed by AKBAYAN against former
COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos. She warned that Abalos might go into
hiding, especially with Lozada's account on Abalos' role in the
controversial deal.

"We fear that Abalos would do a Bedol to evade these charges," Rep.
Hontiveros said.

"It has been four months since the criminal charges against Abalos was
filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, and nothing has happened
since then. This delay is not only unacceptable, it also fuels
suspicion that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is out to protect
someone," Rep. Hontiveros said.

"Once Lozada makes his testimony formal before the Senate Ribbon
Committee, we would consider using it to supplement our complaint
against Abalos," she said. "However, the Ombudsman doesn't even have
to wait for Lozada's testimony to act on the complaint. The statements
made by Sec. Romulo Neri and Joey De Venecia are enough to hold Abalos
accountable."

On October 9, 2007, Deputy minority leader and AKBAYAN Rep. Risa
Hontiveros charged Abalos for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act (RA 3019), Revised Penal Code, and the Code of Conduct
and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
She earlier called for Ombudsman Gutierrez to inhibit herself from the
case to ensure that it would be independent and quick.