IN BOHOL. ZTE star-witness Jun Lozada
interviewed by local newsmen upon his arrival here yesterday.
Foto DANNY REYES |
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The
star witness of the scrapped national broadband network
(NBN) project yesterday denied allegations that he had
brokered a deal with the provincial government for ZTE
Corporation of China to bag the Panglao Bohol International
Airport project.
Rodolfo
"Jun" Lozada, the whistleblower of
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the
alleged anomalous NBN deal between the Philippine government
and ZTE, declared he has no connections with the Chinese firm
or any of its corporate officials.
Lozada
is here in the province to speak in a gathering at the Holy
Name University this morning that is organized by the Boholanos
for Truth, Accountability and Reform, a multi-sectoral group
organized by religious, business, non-government organizations
and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bohol chapter.
A
ranking Capitol official had leaked details of a confidential
meeting with Lozada here sometime in March 2007, about two
months before the elections.
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The
official from Capitol, who spoke by condition of anonymity,
disclosed that Lozada acted as negotiator for ZTE to
bag the Panglao airport project.
The
source said that ZTE, through Lozada, offered some P200-million
purportedly for the campaign funds of Gov. Erico Aumentado
who was then at the height of his bid for re-election.
According
to the provincial government official, Lozada asked
to discuss the offer with Aumentado.
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However,
the governor refused to meet him but sent word that ZTE can
participate in the public bidding for the airport project
if the Chinese were interested, the Capitol source said.
Accordingly,
the governor flatly declined the alleged ZTE offer saying
he did not need the huge amount for his campaign since he
was practically running unopposed in the May 2007 election.
Lozada
admitted in an interview with the Chronicle that he comes
here in the province often in connection with his duties as
president of Philippine Forest Corporation.
Lozada
said, there is no way he could make such offer as he has no
association with ZTE.
He
challenged the Capitol official into a confrontation to be
witnessed by the media to determine who is telling the truth.
"Bring
him over so we can see who is telling the truth," Lozada
said.
Lozada
spoke with members of the local media yesterday in a breakfast
press conference at Saya's Restaurant shortly after his arrival
from Manila.
He
was surprised to learn that Pres. Gloria Arroyo is also flying
in today to inaugurate Tubigon port which is part of her Strong
Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) project.
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