PNP refuses to hand
over Lozada to Senate Family filespetition for habeas
corpus
AT A GLANCE 1. Senators assail PNP for meddling, demand explanation.
2. Palace says Lozada free to testify.
3. Archbishop Cruz says abduction proves Lozada knows something
anomalous about the ZTE deal.
BY RAYMOND AFRICA
PNP CHIEF Avelino Razon Jr. said yesterday that Rodolfo Noel
Lozada Jr., NBN-ZTE prime witness, is in the custody of the
PNP’S Police Security and Protection Office, and without his
consent, will not be handed over to the Senate which has ordered
his arrest for not appearing at a hearing on the broadband deal.
Razon denied Lozada was abducted as he said
it was Lozada’s brother who requested that the police fetch him
at the airport.
Razon said Lozada had told his brother that
he feared he would be arrested upon arrival.
EXPULSION of former House Speaker Jose
de Venecia from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat "for
acts inimical to the party" will be taken up at the Lakas
national directorate meeting on Feb. 21.
In a press conference, Lakas secretary
general Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said De Venecia’s
privilege speech last Monday where he recited a litany of
allegations against President Arroyo will be taken up by
party leaders.
Former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero
Pichay said De Venecia may be held liable for speaking out
against Arroyo who is Lakas chairman.
MANILA Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
yesterday said Cristina Ponce-Enrile was appointed as the new
ambassador to the Vatican replacing resigned Leonida Vera
without the government consulting the Church, as practiced
before.
"Bagaman siya (Enrile) ang representative ng
estado o republika ng Pilipinas at walang karapatan ang Simbahan
pumili… ang kanyang pupuntahan ay ang pinuno ng Simbahan kaya
dapat may consultation," Rosales said.
He said it would not hurt Malacañang to
consult the Church because the latter would not make any
imposition. He said the Church could only make comments or
suggestions on the appointee.
