BY JP LOPEZ

MALACAÑANG should brace itself for public uproar if NBN-ZTE star witness Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada Jr. is arrested, senators warned yesterday.

"This is ridiculous. Bakit ang whistle blower ang maku-kulong? Nasaan ang hustisya kung yung inaakusahan e siyang malaya kahit lantaran ang pangungurakot?" asked Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

Lozada faces arrest over a perjury charge lodged by former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor.

Sr. Mary John Mananzan, head of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), has said Lozada made it clear he will not post bail as a show of protest that the justice system is geared against him.

Lozada and his family have been given sanctuary by the De La Salle brothers in their La Salle Greenhills campus since he testified on the overpriced contract last year.

"The public sympathy is clearly with Lozada. The government should be careful of their next step," Pangilinan said.

Sen. Francis Escudero called on fellow Bicolanos "to unite behind Jun Lozada and support him in this difficult time by speaking out, and through prayers."

"I also urge former Secretary Mike Defensor to withdraw his criminal complaint. That is the best way, I think, he can vindicate himself and be magnanimous," Escudero said.

Defensor filed the perjury complaint based on the alleged inconsistencies in the statements made by Lozada to the Senate and the Court of Appeals.

This was dismissed by Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 26 on Nov. 14, 2008 for lack of probable cause.

The MTC ruling was reversed on appeal by the Manila RTC, Branch 11 last March 19.

Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II reiterated his support for Lozada.

"Jun, as I’ve told you before, may the force be with you. We will continue to be with you. Lalaban tayo," Roxas said.

Roxas said the lopsided justice system under the government is highlighted by the languishing of cases against Arroyo officials behind the controversy, particularly former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos.

"Si Jun Lozada, makukulong na. Si Abalos naglalaro pa rin ng golf sa Wack-Wack," he said.

House members appealed to former President Corazon Aquino to allow the judicial process to proceed.

Aquino has called on all "who support the truth" to speak out against the threat of arrest on Lozada.

Kampi Rep. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza (Cotabato) said Aquino’s show of support for Lozada should not in any way prevent the judicial system from proceeding with its usual course.

Kampi Rep. Elpidio Barzaga (Cavite) said "the call of ex-president Aquino to our people to protest the arrest of Jun Lozada for the crime of perjury is uncalled for."

Lakas Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Manila) said Aquino’s words might be misconstrued as a call for extrajudicial means to exonerate Lozada.