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By William B. Depasupil, Reporter
NATIONAL broadband network star witness Rodolfo
Lozada Jr. took the witness stand Friday before the Court of Appeals
(CA), and got a tongue-lashing from the presiding justice.
Lozada appeared before the CA’s 17th Division
for the continuation of the hearing on the writ of amparo petition
filed by his elder brother, Arturo, on his behalf.
Associate Justice Celia Librea-Leagogo scolded
Lozada for not directly answering questions on circumstances
surrounding his alleged abduction by government authorities when he
arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong
last February 5.
Lozada lengthily narrated at the CA the same
information that he shared at various Senate hearings, prompting
Leagogo to interrupt the proceedings to remind him that the court is
different from other probe bodies.
“You have to be responsible in answering
questions. This is not like any other investigating body where you
can say anything you want,” Leagogo said.
Lozada apologized to the justice, reasoning that
he was not aware of court proceedings because it was his first time
to testify in court.
In his testimony, Lozada narrated what
transpired upon his arrival and his prior communications with DENR
Secretary Lito Atienza while he was in Hong Kong.
Lozada said he has always feared for his safety
and that of his family, as they are now dependent on Senate
protection.
“The Senate hearing on ZTE might end. After
that, the Senate security might be pulled out, so I will be
defenseless. I am afraid,” he said.
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