DEROGATORY MATERIALS GREET LOZADA DURING DAGUPAN VISIT
DAGUPAN CITY, APRIL 5, 2008 (STAR) By Eva Visperas – Derogatory streamers and tarpaulins greeted Rodolfo Lozada Jr., the Senate star witness in the national broadband network investigation, who visited this city yesterday to attend a Mass for truth and forum at the People’s Astrodome.
The tarpaulins with a woman’s photo read: “Pangasinan welcomes people that tell the truth. Jun Lozada please tell the truth.”
They posed the following questions, among others: “Sino sila Marissa dela Cruz, Katkat at Aaron (Who are Marissa dela Cruz, Katkat and Aaron)?” and “Gaano karami at kailan mo isosoli lahat ng perang nanakaw mo sa Phil. Forest na inamin mo sa Senado (How much and when will you return all the money you stole in Phil. Forest which you admitted in the Senate)?”
There were also Tagalog comics titled “Bipolar Loozada on the loose again,” and mimeographed leaflets, one entitled “Lozada: Huwaran o Huwad” that were distributed on the streets and in households.
This, as streamers professing support for President Arroyo with messages like “Dagupan loves GMA” and “Pangasinan loves GMA” appeared yesterday, even at the People’s Astrodome.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, who initiated the forum, said the people behind these anti-Lozada materials are probably nervous about the latter’s statements.
“That’s already an old trick,” he said. “They only show their weaknesses.”
Last April 1, streamers announcing Lozada’s visit mysteriously vanished.
Meanwhile, lawyer Gonzalo Duque, president of the family-owned Lyceum Northwestern University, said he was saddened by the claim of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. accusing his brother, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, of having a hand in the disappearance of the pro-Lazada streamers.
Duque said De Venecia, whom he described as an “ingrate,” passed judgment on his brother without even verifying the information fed to him.
Duque recalled that they helped De Venecia in his political battle, with the health secretary even campaigning for him in last year’s polls.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2008
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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