Everyone saw it on television or heard it over the radio. No need to state the obvious.
But what reflections can we make if the bombshell issues that ZTE-NBN Consultant Rodolfo Lozada revealed at the Senate inquiry last Friday are indeed true?

(A) That the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, despite his denials, tends to dip his fingers in many government deals - and the Palace, overtly or covertly, allows him to.

His records show alleged involvement in a P50-million bribe to cancel the franchises of the Philippine Communication and APC, misuse of PCSO funds for the 2001 elections.

Jose Pidal's controversial account from 1998 presidential campaign funds, rotten rice importation, jueteng bribes acceptance, the Joc-Joc Bolante Fertilizer Scam to finance the 2004 presidential polls and the multi-million German bank accounts.

But by far, the P6.1 billion alleged kickbacks for the (ZTE-NBN Broadband deal) traced to him with disgraced former Comelec chair Ben Abalos (acting as triggerman, bag man if you like) tops the cake.

Our other reflections include:

(B) That the ZTE-NBN overpriced of US$130 million is more of the rule than the exception in government contracts and procurement deals; and that this is just one of the contracts favored under a Loan - Executive Agreements - (rather than the original BOT proposal). The other overpriced projects like the Southrail Project (overprice of US$70 million or P2.8 billion) dams, roads, repairs reflect what they call an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of 20% overprice "for the boys." Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Allan Cayetano said that the scam will force the committee to investigate each crooked deal hatched under GMA's wake if one has to erase the tag of the Philippines as the "most corrupt country in Asia."

(C) That this government will use everything inside and outside the law to prevent witnesses from exposing venalities and corruption in government, by fabricating "seminars" so witness can leave the country, manufacture documents, kidnap hostile witnesses, force people to sign documents under duress, scare relatives and prostitute the military and the police and the like to allow the very survival of this Present Dispensation.

(D) That former Comelec Chair Ben Abalos must have a "real hold" on the Palace to be able to force GMA to shift from the original BOT to Loan Agreement deal on the ZTE - despite the obvious disadvantage to Government. That "hold" extends to the fact of the signing the ZTE deal by GMA despite her knowing about the P200-million bribe foisted upon the head of former NEDA Chief Neri by Comelec during the 2004 election and the "Garci Scandal."

(E) That the Department of Justice (DOT) in being tasked to investigate and prosecute the crooks in the ZTE-NBN deal gives the exercise a hollow credibility given the excesses of Justice Secretary Gonzales (at times). Nothing will come out of the investigation but the exoneration of those already pointed as "guilty" by both Neri and Lozada.

(F) That deposed Speaker Joe de Venecia was right in saying that the Pork Barrel dispensation is now centralized by Palace agents who decide the projects and name the contractors right at the beginning - dictated to other government officials to follow.

(G) That the Senate should now work to legislate to give stronger teeth to check and balance those deals serviced by Executive and Loan agreements - to provide the plugs to the loopholes and demand accountability for projects costs and results.

(H) That the Business Club of Makati sees the writing on the wall that the Lozada Episode is the beginning of the end of the GMA Regime and the AFP itself sees the revelations of Lozada (and perhaps those of JDV) as a potential trigger for coups and destabilization. That the fears of bombing and "managed events" will soon ensue to ease the Lozada Expose out of the headlines of newspapers, radio and television. The Military has recently banned rallies at the famous EDSA shrine - the seat of two People Power revolts in 1986 and 2001, exposing official paranoia.

(I) That there are still faithful sheep of the Lord, like Lozada, who when conscience-stricken will brave harassment, discomfort and death (even) in order to expose the truth for "country and people." That bravery, like cowardice, is infectious - and that this one courageous act of one good man like Lozada could be the beacon - the lighthouse as it were - to guide others who are struggling between being part of the system or being part of the solution.

(J) That corruption has prejudiced the level and quality of infrastructure in this country - the very reason there are no investment that (in turn) deny people jobs and livelihood. It is then the "immoderate greed" of these contractors, funders and thieving public official "commissioners" who are largely the factor that has kept this country and its people "poor" - as in to the level of an almost Bangladesh.

The Lozada Episode - and its more important aftermath - could soon imprint indelible footprints in this often-lonely struggle for national survival. We have history in the making here.

….AND NOW SOME GOOD NEWS….

If there is any European who is more Boholano than those from Bohol, the hands down choice is German national Hans Schoof. What he had already done for the province today already borders on the legendary. And hats have been doffed for him many times over.

Sir Hans' latest venture is the panoramic The Peacock Garden Luxury Resort and Spa located on the uphills of barangay Laya, Baclayon town. Ironic that no Boholano saw first what his compassionate German eyes had seen in the beauty of an overview of the scenic Pamilacan Island and Bohol's clear blue waters where dolphins and whales often frolick in gay abandon.

But consistency is Sir Hans' middle name - for having wedded a Boholana beauty - Lani Jubac - he extended his passion for the "good and beautiful" by opening this classy spa and resort that is a class on its own.

Opening last Friday, the resort offered "a different world" to first-timers: one can take a glimpse of the old world with private collections.

And who is the better person to emulate virtues from than the country's national hero - Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal.

For instance, at the Old Heighdelberg Restaurant, one enjoys a sumptuous meal with a bit of history on the background. It harks back to the 19th century in Germany where the nationalist Rizal displayed his other shadow - being an internationalist who valued the world for nurturing his native intelligence.

There is the Hemingway Lounge highlighted by pictorials of Rizal and his seven girlfriends, nothing that intelligence need not dwell only on unattractive persons. All these pictorials are collections of Sir Hans who organized the Knights of Rizal here.

Distinctly one can note the superb service and excellent cuisine offered as a twin commitment of this new tourism jewel, doubtless, it has raised the bar for the struggling other resorts to follow. May it maintain that kind of standard through the years.

Cheers!

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com Or editor@boholchronicle.com