|
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
The lawyers for the President’s
husband and the former elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. are
questioning what they call “delaying tactics” in the
Ombudsman’s probe of the controversial $330-million broadband
deal.
The deal to build a national
broadband network was awarded to China’s ZTE Corp. but was
scuttled by President Gloria Arroyo at the height of a Senate
investigation of alleged anomalies connected with the deal.
According to lawyers Ruy Rondain
and Gabriel Villareal—counsels for Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo
and Abalos, respectively—the complainants and witnesses in the
case have repeatedly failed to appear at hearings. The absences may
prejudice the rights of their clients to a speedy trial, the
counsels added.
The lawyers were referring to
Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr., Jose “Joey” de Venecia 3rd,
and Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc. Those three gave
explosive testimonies before the Senate blue-ribbon committee about
alleged million-dollar bribes, secret golf games in China, sex with
Chinese women in exchange for favors, and even attempted kidnapping.
Mike Arroyo and Abalos both
denied the allegations and vowed to take their accusers to court.
Abalos eventually resigned as chairman of the Commission on
Elections.
Rondain said the witnesses
promised to appear on June 5 at the Office of the Ombudsman to
affirm their Senate testimony. But they failed to show up.
The testimonies given at the
Senate were the primary evidence used by the complainants.
At present, only one witness,
Dante Madriaga, has affirmed his testimony before the Office of the
Ombudsman.
“The complainants are buying
time,” Villareal said. “This case has been pending for a long
time.”
“This case has dragged on for
more than 14 months, I think. Unfortunately, my client has been
dragged into this and put into bad light,” he added.
The complainants’ lawyer,
Ernesto Francisco Jr., downplayed the concerns of Rondain and
Villareal.
Francisco said their case remains
strong. In fact the direct testimony of de Venecia about being told
to “back off” the deal is stronger than Lozada’s testimony, he
added.
The testimony of de Venecia, the
son and namesake of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., is
vital to the case and he can apply for immunity if he wanted to,
Francisco said.
The lawyer added that there are
guidelines for immunity from suit, and de Venecia can apply for it
to exempt himself from any legal liability.
The Ombudsman panel of
investigators headed by Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales said the
next hearing is scheduled for July 5.
The Ombudsman’s spokesman,
lawyer Jose de Jesus, said their office plans to resolve the ZTE
case within the year.
De Jesus explained that after the
July 5 hearing, both parties will study the case for about 120 days,
to review the documents. Then, the Ombudsman panel will review the
case for another 60 days.
|
