Bayan Muna Rep Teddy Casiño
Lozada is the Clarissa Ocampo of the day, the professional who has the credibility to implicate the first family in the ZTE-NBN scandal. Kaya ganyan na lang ang takot ng Palasyo. We urge Lozada to tell us everything and not be afraid to reveal FG & GMA's role in the anomaly.
Former Speaker Jose de Venecia
"Lozada's statements mean [Joey de Venecia III]'s statement at the Senate has credence and gives weight to my valedictory speech I gave in Congress. The appearance of my son in the Senate caused my downfall in Congress and possibly from the party I founded.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye
Senators [Panfilo] Lacson and [Alan Peter] Cayetano just betrayed the real intent behind these investigations supposedly in aid of legislation. They are not after truth and justice, and making laws. They simply can not wait for the 2010 elections and they want to bring this government down now.
Black and White Movement
The Black & White Movement hails the moral courage of Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, a great Filipino! Though exhausted, stressed and emotionally drained, Jun showed his strength of character as he told his explosive story. By facing his great fear, he found the heroism to defeat it at great risk to his personal safety and the wellbeing of his family. We have never doubted Jun's resolve to keep telling the truth.
We condemn Jun's abduction and his being forced to sign false statements by personnel allegedly sent by DENR Secretary Lito Atienza to protect the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo from involvement in the ZTE-NBN Deal. Only a government with terrible secrets would stoop this low to cover its tracks. Only a government suffused with arrogance and comfortable with impunity would act so brazenly and without conscience.
This administration read Jun Lozada totally wrong. GMA's henchmen thought they could silence him with threat and intimidation. That's nincompoop thinking.
No one can claim that Jun's statement was malicious, politically motivated or driven by partisan interests. It is clear that his only motivation has been to tell the truth.
We thank God for hearing our prayers offered at last night's candle light vigil. We thank Bro. Armin Luistro, fsc, and the AMRSP for their dedication to the care and security of the Lozada family, most of all for the power of their prayers. We thank the media for keeping Jun alive via their constant interest and coverage.
Jun's family should also be extolled for their unwavering belief and pride in their brother, husband and father. We exhort the Senate, particularly the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, to resume the ZTE-NBN Deal hearings with dispatch. We are confident that Jun will stand firm under the great pressure that will be brought to bear on him. Jun Lozada is truly made of the right stuff.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel
The Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Rodolfo Lozada Jr. should not be delayed. Lozada can give his testimony before the committee and the sooner this is done the better.
The committee should not give those who want to silence Lozada any chance to do so by delaying the presentation of his committee testimony.
Any delay adds to the threat to his life by those who want to silence him.
The committee should not be an unwitting party to such a scheme. There is no absolute requirement that a witness should first execute an affidavit before he may be called to testify before the committee and if there is, the rule should be suspended to enable Lozada to testify considering the circumstances.
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay
"Malacanang has been caught red-handed. They can no longer deny any involvement or knowledge of the abduction of Lozada."
"Malacanang was emphatic in its denial about any involvement or knowledge about Lozada's situation, and yet Secretary Ermita was already saying that the witness was preparing to change his affidavit. How could he have known that?
"No one is safe under the Arroyo administration. But it's about time that we make these people accountable. We cannot sit by and allow Malacanang and PNP to violate civil liberties.
"I find it sad that officers like General Razon now find themselves in a situation where they have compromised their professionalism and integrity. But as the chief of the PNP, he has to answer for the action of he PSPO in the case of Mr. Lozada."
AKBAYAN Rep. Rissa Hontiveros
"What he said corroborates previous testimonies made by Joey De Venecia and Sec. Romulo Neri, making these allegations of corruption involving the NBN deal a sticky and unbearable truth for the Arroyo family. Dismissing it would not do and we must be able to identify who is ultimately accountable for this controversy. The Arroyo family should face the music to put a closure to this issue."
"The strongest critique that any decent Filipino could do in light of a government known for the basest form of fraud and corruption is to stand up for truth and justice. The symbol of Filipino integrity and valor is not carried by high officials, certainly not those in Malacañang, but by people like Lozada. We hope that he would be steadfast and unforgiving in this journey to unearth the truth behind the NBN anomaly."
Eleanor de Guzman, Anakbayan chairperson
What is unfolding now is a major concern for youth and students. It is about time that more and more are being emboldened to speak out against unresolved cases of bribery and corruption implicating the Arroyo syndicate. We call on CHED Chair Romulo Neri and former Speaker Jose de Venecia to follow Lozada's lead. They will likewise have the youth's support
Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos
Puro ka daw. Puro ka daw. I do not comment on something I have not heard. Please, allow me. Give me the privilege of hearing everything that he said -
PNP chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr.
There was no abduction. He was escorted out of the airport by police officers
Don Pangan, Sanlakas information officer
Yes, people are really tired of controversies hounding this illegitimate government and that is why majority of the people wants Gloria Macapagal who is the greatest destabilizer out of the palace. While the people hails another whistle-blower like Lozada, their hopes have again opened up that a genuine change will take place by ending this regime. People will never get tired of fighting for truth and aspiring for change.
Sen. Manuel Roxas II
Ito ang pattern: hiningi ng Senado ang mga dokumento ng NEDA, ayaw nilang ibigay. Executive privilege daw. Inimbita ng Senado si Jun Lozada, dinukot naman nila. For his safety daw. Baluktot na pamamaraan pero ipinipilit na tama. Mamang Pulis, ano ba talaga ang totoo? Bakit ninyo kinuha si Jun at inilibot sa Laguna nang hindi alam ng kanyang pamilya? Sino nag-utos nito at bakit ninyo sinunod kahit alam ninyong kayo mismo ay lumalabag sa batas?
Renato Reyes Jr., Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general
“We are witnessing one of the most outrageous attempts of the Arroyo regime to cover up the truth about its corruption. Malacañang ang the Philippine National Police conspired to abduct Lozada and silence him by making him sign manufactured documents. This is another low point for an already discredited administration. The people are becoming more and more outraged with the desperate cover-up tactics employed by the Palace. That Malacañang is part of this cover up is basis enough to call for the resignation of the president.
Senate President Manuel Villar
Hindi naman maganda na nawawala na lamang ang isang pasahero ng eroplano na walang nakakakita maski na ang kaniyang asawa o pamilya. Syempre kapag naririnig natin iyang salitang tarmac o eroplano, naalala natin ang nangyari noon kay Ninoy Aquino. Iyan ay medyo may chilling effect sa ating lahat.
Nakakatakot din at hindi dapat itong mga ganitong pangyayari ay papayagan natin sa isang bansang demokrasya. Humihingi ako ng detalyadong ulat ukol sa pagdating ni Mr. Lozada at sa lahat ng pangyayari. Kailangan na matiyak ng Senado ang kaligtasan ni Mr. Lozada at ng kaniyang pamilya
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
Sa bigat ng issue sa pag-kidnap ng isang witness at sa bigat ng issue ng ZTE na hanggang sa Malacañang, baka makakabuti sa bansa kung magli-leave of absence muna ang ating presidente at saka si Gen. Razon para ma-ensure na maging fair at malaman ng Filipino ang buong katotohanan…. Kung hindi ang Pangulo mismo, meron sa Malacañang o nanggaling sa administrasyon [ang] nagmaniobra para hindi maka-testify si Jun Lozada
Dr. Anthony Golez, presidential deputy spokesman
The first time ko na nakita si Jun Lozada sa isang press conference sinasabi ko na pong kasinungalingan iyong dalawang punto na narinig ko sa press conference…
What Executive Secretary Ermita said yesterday (Wednesday) is that it is not within his powers if [Lozada] should testify or not. Secretary Ermita said he can testify today or tomorrow, whenever he wants to testify for as long as it is not within the executive privilege…
So what we saw earlier that he was being prevented from testifying is not true because I was there when Lozada made the request….
Those affidavits did not come from the Office of the President and he was the one who made the affidavit with his lawyer.
DOTC Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Formoso III
I’ve never met Jun Lozada personally… I don’t know what his participation was or [I] have [not] seen any documents with his signature or name on it evaluating the proposals that emanated from the commission on information and communications technology. So, I’m a little bit lost as to where he comes in.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza
I told him to hide for a while and prepare his defense. I also called General Razon and asked him to provide security for Lozada when he arrives.
Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
Lozada's statement gave credence to my son Joey's statement at the Senate, and would give weight to the valedictory speech I gave in Congress three nights ago… She (President Arroyo) has been lucky. If she leads in the moral revolution, I hope she stays until 2010
Puno 'disappointed' with SC majority decision 
'SC overstepped bounds on Neri decision' 
SC ruling on Neri shows a Palace-controlled court: sources 
SC decision on Neri out next week 
