Testify, risk ‘tragic ending,’ Palace warns JdV

May 26, 2008

Malacañang yesterday warned former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. that his testimony in the Senate on the controversial ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) project scandal could lead to a “tragic ending” for him.

Deputy presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said should De Venecia decide to make public the information he knows about the broadband project, particularly the “secret meeting” betweeen President Arroyo and ZTE Corp. officials in China some two years ago, his numerous questionable deals might be exposed in the senate.

The Palace refused to identify the deals where De Venecia is involved, but hinted that the latter has no right to testify, because he himself has “unclean hands.”

“We are reminded of the principle that ‘he who comes to court must come with clean hands…’ We are concerned that JdV (De Venecia’s initials) may be put to task by senators on many deals where he was or has perceived interest. The appearance of JdV is a romantic idea that may lead to a tragic ending,” Fajardo said in a text message to Malacañang reporters.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano also yesterday revealed that the former House leader was his “surprise witness” who is expected to tell all on the alleged involvement of Mrs. Arroyo in the supposed

irregularities surrounding the botch $329-million ZTE-NBN deal before Senate probers.

He also appealed to De Venecia to divulge all he knows about the ZTE-NBN scandal.

“A number of people know that the (former) Speaker knows a lot. So, Manong Joe don’t back off. It’s high time that you speak up and don’t do a (Romulo) Neri,” Cayetano, also the blue ribbon committee chairman, said.

The senator revealed that they have been holding meetings as well with De Venecia the past few months, discussing his supposed impending appearance in the ZTE probe proceedings.

Apparently, De Venecia gave his assurance of his cooperation and appearance, if need be, the reason Cayetano hinted several times in the past on his supposed surprise witness.

Cayatano maintained that the Senate will pursue with the holding of another ZTE probe, with or without the supposed new witness who goes by the alias “Alex.”

Between the De Venecia and Alex, Cayetano said, it would be more significant for them if the former Speaker testifies since he was present in the alleged meeting of Mrs. Arroyo with the ZTE officials while the latter was merely outside of the room.

“Even in the testimony of Mrs. (Gina) De Venecia, it’s more about events leading to the meeting. What is important is the meeting itself.

Also, Makati mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay asked former House leader to testify and reveal all he knows about the broadband project, instead of “waiting for the right time.”

“The right time to speak about the NBN-ZTE scandal is now,” he said.

Binay’s reaction came after De Venecia declined to come out in the open at this time, for fear that the Arroyo administration might fall.

The opposition leader asked De Venecia to “walk the talk” and reveal the truth about the multi-million dollar scandal, instead of simply talking about the need for moral recovery.

“I still believe that the former Speaker wants to do the right thing. He will be a most credible witness if and when he issues his statement on the NBN-ZTE deal, and our nation will be behind him as he seeks to restore truth, justice,and freedom in our already fragile democratic institutions,” Binay said.

But Cayetano seemed disappointed with the way De Venecia is handling the situation, noting what he called as apparent excuses the former House leader is making in his published interviews regarding his appearance while making threatening statements as to the weight of his testimony.

De Venecia has expressed reservation about testifying before the Senate on the $329-million NBN-ZTE scandal, saying the issue is serious and might lead to the downfall of the Arroyo administration.

“I advise (him) that rather than having interviews and saying he’s available or say this will happen…he should come out now. I agree with those saying he should be ready to face the consequence the moment you speak the truth.

The work of the committee is to ferret out the truth,” Cayetano stressed.

Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., along with Senators Panfilo Lacson and Rodolfo Biazon, also noted the observations made by Cayetano.

“His threats are not useful to our search for truth. It would be better if he would just testify truthfully about the national broadband network-ZTE and other shady deals. His waiting for the right time might not never come,” Pimentel said.

Lacson said he could only be hoping that De Venecia is not trying to make a leverage with the administration in preventing his appearance and not wishing that the administration will dangle with the speakership position just so he won’t testify.

“I just hope he realizes that the (ZTE) controversy is so messy, that if he could be of help and contribute to the resolution of this matter by, anytime he can appear. If he is free to testify, he should testify,” he added.

“He is giving us the wrong impression. My advice to him is simple, truth knows no perfect timing. Anytime, even now is a perfect timing. I just hope he realizes that,” Lacson said.

By Sherwin C. Olaes and Angie M. Rosales

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