A Malacañang official is allegedly plotting to assassinate Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr., the Senate star witness on the ZTE-broadband controversy.

ABS-CBN News correspondent Ron Gagalac reported that Lozada himself bared the details of the plan during his first provincial speaking tour to tell the public the truth behind the allegedly anomalous deal between the government and China’s ZTE Corporation.

Lozada said the mastermind pulled out convicts from detention facilities in Metro Manila to carry the job of executing him.

"They want me silenced, so they got assassins from city jails in Quezon City, Manila and Bilibid in Muntinlipa," Lozada said.

The threat on Lozada's life prompted nuns -- who have given him security in the Senate since Day 1-- to stay by his side.

Deputy Palace spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo, meanwhile, defended Malacañang and urged Lozada to identify the person in question.

“Mr. Lozada should name names. He is creating his own monsters at the expense of the administration. Mr. Lozada should stop coming up with stories,” said Fajardo.

The chief of the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to probe the threat on Lozada’s life.

“I have directed the CIDG who is actually the unit conducting the investigation on the threats to Jun Lozada’s life to continue with their investigation and consider this information,” Director General Avelino Razon said.

Despite the threat, Lozada still went to Balanga Cathedral in Bataan to attend a "Mass for Truth" Monday.

During the Mass, Bishop Socrates Villegas of the Diocese of Bataan advised the whistleblower to always tell the truth.

“The truth will take care of you. Do not be afraid. Second, be humble. Many people admire you,” said Villegas.

Following Bataan, Lozada will continue his provincial sorties in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Kids sing for Neri
In a related development, around 20 children serenaded Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri in front of his Quezon City residence Monday morning.

ABS-CBN News correspondent Niko Baua reported that some of the children were refugees from Quezon province who decided to serenade Neri to convince him to tell the truth about the ZTE deal.

"Uncle Neri, come out and tell the people the truth so that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be ousted," said nine-year-old "Liezl" (not her real name).

A confrontation ensued when one of Neri’s security aides questioned a woman for using the children in their campaign.

"We're not using the children. They only want Secretary Neri to speak out," the unidentified woman said.

However, the children’s efforts fell on deaf ears as the CHED chairman’s convoy went past them after leaving the driveway.

The children and their handlers then left, saying they will proceed to the CHED office in Pasig City.