Kaya Natin! Statement on the Arrest of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada
We, the leaders of Kaya Natin! A National Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership lament the arrest of NBN-ZTE Star Witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada. It is very disheartening to see that the person who risked his and his family’s life to tell the truth about this controversial government transaction is now being branded as a liar. More disheartening is the fact that those who perpetuated this said anomalous transaction has not been held accountable for their actions thus, denying the Filipino people the justice that it deserves. These actions send the Filipino people a wrong message when it comes to the impartiality of our present justice system. This will also discourage other future whistleblowers from coming out in the public to expose other corrupt practices present in our current government.
As a movement composed of well-meaning government leaders, we believe that good governance in our country will only be achieved if those who perpetuate graft and corruption practices in our government be held accountable for their actions. Thus, we call on the Ombudsman to act swiftly and with impartiality in prosecuting those who have taken part in this said scandal.
We continue to extend our support to Jun Lozada in his quest for the Truth and in his fight against graft and corruption in our government.
Finally, we encourage every Filipino who believes in the Truth and in Good Governance to join our online campaign to support Jun Lozada by sending an email to him at filipinosfortruth@ gmail.com .
Signed:
Hon. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio - Governor, Pampanga
Hon. Jesse Robredo - Mayor, Naga City
Hon. Sonia Lorenzo - Mayor, San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
Hon. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. - Governor, Ifugao
Hon. Fermin Mabulo - Mayor, San Fernando, Camarines Sur
Hon. Florante Gerdan - Mayor, Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya
Hon. Gloria Congco - Fmr. Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
GMA “Risked all for the truth” by arresting Lozada.
Proposed Response: National Day of Fasting and Prayer for Truth.
Bob Ocio
“GMA would have truly risked all for the truth by arresting Lozada…..”
The easter message of GMA was entitled, ” Risk all for truth”. It sounds silly, because she would have meant the other way. Now she is also risking for her “kind of truth” , the other way, by arresting Lozada. In mathematics, a negative plus a negative is equal to a plus. Hence, by arresting Lozada, the President of an evil regime has really risked the truth by arresting Lozada. The real purpose really of arresting him is to try to cow him from telling the truth because they themselves are also cowed and bothered that Lozada will be an effective weapon in the coming elections if he joins genuine reform groups molded together in the image exactly opposite of the present regime. I pray that Jun would have enough courage and grace from God to continue to stand up for the truth and try to do another Gandhi of India against colonial Britain, another Ninoy Aquino of the Philippines against a dictatorship; who were imprisoned for the cause of freedom. Lozada’s imprisonment could somehow awaken this generation of sleeping Filipinos and these generation of apathetic youth who have so far remained in the sidelines despite the tragic reality of poverty in the body and spirit of this nation. The risk really that GMA wanted was for Lozada to recant his testimony. But what if he stands by his ground? That will be another story because Lozada could have been beaten yet strengthened enough that any imprisonment today will only encourage him to stand for the truth he has been talking about. Such is the hallmark of active resistance thru non-violence. We as Filipinos must actively speak and work for the truth thru non-violence and active resistance. We must also accept pain and suffering for telling the truth for such is the formula for freedom. Such is the formula for holiness and communion with our God, the way Christ did in Calvary. Such was the formula of Luther King in fighting for civil rights in America. Dreams and righteousness can be so elusive but they can become reality by the sacrifices and blood of martyrs. Simple people who holds simple truths in their hands, in extraordinarily difficult times can make or unmake nations.
Our response as a nation is to help carry the truth in the hands of Lozada in words and in action. Let us remember that GMA is not the most powerful enemy. The real enemy is the devil himself who has ruled his slaves in the highest positions of the government down to the most unconcerned citizen of our country. We can do something and we can start with prayers and songs, walks and prayerful assemblies. The power of prayer cannot be overlooked. It is the only weapon against the devil which runs the wheels of our government. The devil must be cowed now if we do unite because it is in our position of weakness, that we can become strong. Lozada’s case is a perfect position of weakness which resembles the suffering of our people. The mighty would want him to capitulate and they are making him a showcase of what shall happen to us if we dare fight their evil designs. However, what Lozada has done and can continue to stand for can also be a showcase of how we can the powerful and mighty can be shamed and be trembling as has happened to the tyrants in the past. When Lozada and the Filipino people will start to kneel and frustrate before God to keep us in our dificult times, then, their greatest worry but our best glory is the moment when God will lift us up from our humble state.
GMA would have truly risked all for the truth by arresting Lozada, because she has risked the Filipino people to call upon God to raise up Lozada and in the process, wake up this generation so oppressed, so divided and so confused.
A great risk from the devil requires a great response from Gods people. If we claim ourselves to be His, and do it, His way; those who have doubts will have faith, those who are hopeless will try a second look, those who have been so callous will become softened, those who hate will learn to love and many among us will be united in spirit and truth. I just thought that people from all walks of life can hold a “ National Day of Fasting and Prayer for Truth”. Let the engines stop, let the workplace stop. Let the man on the field stop. Let the nation stop and pause and reflect again and again in fasting and prayer. Let God be our leader with our faithful and concerned citizens and let not this sacrifice ask too much from us other than the common good of the Filipino people. Let love and the goodness of God be our guide and let not hatred and violence be our response. Let us call our God and let Him heal our land.
Yet a national day of prayer should not be the end. It should be a way of life because we have to live by what we say. We have to be patient. We have to continue to declare our faith. Such is the character of true faith. It has to learn how to sacrifice. There must be no illusion that there are quick fixes.
Let the truth set us free.