Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Jun Lozada for graft charges

(Udated 11:43 p.m.) The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of Engineer Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr., whistleblower of the allegedly anomalous broadband network deal with Chinese firm ZTE in 2008, for two counts of graft he is facing before the anti-graft court.

 

The arrest warrant against Lozada was issued by the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division last January 23.

 

In a phone interview, Lozada said he was not yet aware of any arrest warrant issued against him. He, however, was determined to prove his innocence before the anti-graft court. “They can arrest me if they want. Haharapin namin ito. Wala naman akong itinatago,” Lozada said. He added that he has yet to consult his lawyers on whether or not to will post bail once his arrest warrant is served. Last August, Lozada was charged by the Office of the Ombudsman with graft for allegedly granting leasehold rights over public lands to his own brother and to a private company with connections to him and his wife during his stint as president of the government-run Philippine Forest Corp. in 2007.