Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up – PinoyPress — Philippines news, opinion, blogs.

RELATED STORIES

YOU ARE HERE: Home » All Entries, Opinion and Analysis » Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up

Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up

PUBLISHED ON February 9, 2008 AT 12:40 PM

By Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
BAYAN Secretary General

After hearing today’s testimony by Jun Lozada, we wonder which is worse, the original crime or the conspiracy to cover up this crime?

Lozada provided a credible testimony on the multi-million dollar overpricing of the ZTE National Broadband Network deal. He pinpointed the high government officials and personalities close to the president who were involved in a scam to collect at least $130 million in kick backs from a government project. Lozada affirmed the involvement of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and former Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos in the anomalous deal. It also became clear that despite the anomalies tainting the deal, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo still had it approved.

What is also most disturbing is the extent government is willing to go to cover up corruption. Lozada’s testimony shows how several present and former cabinet officials, the police, the military and Malacañang, conspired to prevent him from testifying before the Senate. The government believed that it could get away with fraud, abduction, illegal detention, deception, illegal wiretapping and veiled threats against Lozada.

The Arroyo regime is rotten to the core. It commits crimes with impunity because it seriously believes it can get away with anything. It abuses its power to cover up its tracks, thinking the people are stupid enough to believe anything.

We condemn in no uncertain terms the conspiracy to cover up corruption involving DENR secretary Joselito Atienza, CHED chair Romulo Neri, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, DILG secretary Ronaldo Puno, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye and DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza. We likewise condemn the involvement of former secretary Mike Defensor in the cover up. We also condemn the officials of the Philippine National Police who keep insulting the intelligence of the public by peddling lies.

The crime of corruption and the brazen attempts to cover up this crime must be condemned by the people.

The calls for the resignation, impeachment and ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are justified given the recent revelations from Lozada. The fact that all these crimes are happening with the knowledge and consent of the president is basis enough for her to step down.

The people must make Arroyo and all her cohorts accountable. This is the only way out of the current political crisis. Justice cannot wait until 2010. It must come now, at the soonest possible time.

RSS feed • Subscribe via email • Discuss

One Response to “Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up”

jbmontecillo Says:
February 12th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Lozada’s testimony is nothing but a validation of what we all already know- that the system we fondly refer to as “democracy” is nothing but an empty promise, simply just a lie. But look no further nor nowhere, for we are the ones responsible in shaping this charade, this goverment of fools. We placed these crooks in power, therefore we must bear the consequences. Wake up! And be heard..

THE NEWS IN PICTURES

Where Are They? Relatives, friends and colleagues of victims of enforced disappearances commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared with lighted lanterns and photographs at the Plaza Miranda and in Mendiola on Aug. 30. (Photo: arkibongbayan.org)

Free at Last. The so-called Tagaytay 5 -- Aris Sarmiento, Axel Pinpin, Riel Custodio, Michael Masayes and Rico Ybañez -- shown here inside their prison cell during their incarceration, were freed yesterday. “The dismissal of trumped-up charges and release of Tagaytay 5 is a victory for human rights,” said Ruth Cervantes, Karapatan's public information officer. (Photo: freetagaytay5.net)

Displaced. Residents of North Cotabato have been the ones badly affected by the military offensives launched against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. "As the government continues to indiscriminately drop bombs on Moro and Christian villages in Aleosan and Pikit, more and more civilians are displaced," said Kawagib, a Moro human-rights group.(Photo: Suara Bangsamoro/arkibongbayan.org)

In One Roof. Villagers who fled their homes after the clashes last week between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the south brought every human life with them, including their farm animals. They now live under one roof at an evacuation center in Pikit, North Cotabato. (Photo: Bong Sarmiento / Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project)

Emergency. A scene from "Ambulancia," a short film that tells of a painful twist in an ambulance driver's belief that a dying patient can be saved by running over stray animals on the streets. The award-winning film will be screened at the so-called "Woodstock of short films" in Germany. Richard Legaspi directed the film and it stars Alan Paule and Nor Domingo. (Contributed photo)

Sendoff. The Philippine Army dispatched today, Aug. 10, the 68th Infantry Battalion to Maguindanao. This battalion, together with the 46th Infantry Battalion from Samar, will augment the troops in Central Mindanao for the security operations that will be conducted to ensure peaceful elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao tomorrow. (Photo: Philippine Army)

Killings Denounced. Mindanao journalists gathered in General Santos City on Friday to denounce the recent attacks on their colleagues. On Monday, Dennis Cuesta, a Radio Mindanao Network commentator in General Santos, was shot and is fighting for his life. On Thursday, another RMN broadcaster, Martin Roxas of Capiz City, was shot dead. (Photo by Barry Ohaylan/davaotoday.com)

If This Wall Could Talk. With the pleasant scenery as a backdrop (and a constant reminder, perhaps, of a life they could have had), this poor family try to survive by actually living by the sidewalk outside the Chinese school in Davao City. (Photo by Barry Ohaylan/davaotoday.com)

Undaunted. Activists from Anakbayan scuffle with the police as the Chevrolet Suburban carrying President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo passes by the junction before the newly built Bankerohan bridge in Davao City last week. The president was in the city for the declaration of the merger of Lakas-CMD and Kampi parties. (Photo by Barry Ohaylan/davaotoday.com)

Freedom Denied. Lex Adonis, a former broadcaster of Bombo Radyo in Davao City, inside the Davao Penal Colony, where he was jailed after House Speaker Prospero Nograles sued him for libel over a story involving the Davao congressman's alleged sexual relations with a woman other than his wife. Despite a court order, Adonis remains in jail. (File photo by davaotoday.com)

Tribute to Ka Bel. Activists, artists, friends and supporters troop to the Philippine Independent Church on Taft Avenue Monday night to honor AnakPawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, who died last week. Beltran will be buried in Bulacan today, after a ceremony honoring him at the House of Representatives, where he served for several terms as party-list congressman. (Photo by Ayi Muallam/pinoypress.net)

Rare Sight. Moro women students of a madrasah play volleyball during a break in barangay Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato, last week. While Filipina Moros are considered relatively open in their lifestyle compared to Muslim women in other countries, scenes like this are not very common in Moro areas in Mindanao. (Photo by Keith Bacongco/AKP Images)

Ka Bel's Fight. An activist mourns the death of AnakPawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran, who died Tuesday. Ka Bel's remains lie in state at the IFI Cathedral in Manila. His colleagues, family and friends have lined up a series of tributes. Click here for the schedules, as well as statements and poems honoring Ka Bel. (Photo by courtesy of arkibongbayan)

Displaced. Lumad families from Compostela and Monkayo towns, in Compostela Valley Province, seek refuge in Davao City after being displaced by intense counter-insurgency operations by the military in their communities this month. The 210 evacuees, of which 83 are children, are now staying inside a gym. The number of evacuees is expected to rise, according to NGOs. (Photo by Barry Ohaylan)

Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up

One Response to “Renato M. Reyes Jr. » The ZTE Cover-up”

Leave a Comment