Nationwide noise barrage to kick off 'communal activities'

A nationwide noise barrage in several parts of Metro Manila Friday evening will kick off Church-backed "communal activities" to press for the truth behind the $329.48-million ZTE mess. Former Philippine ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa said the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has coordinated the activity with key dioceses and cities. "The idea behind the activity is to further inform the public of issues involved in the revelations made at the past Senate hearings," de Villa said on Church-run Radio Veritas. On the other hand, dzBB radio reported that police in eastern Metro Manila have deployed riot police to the EDSA Shrine to prevent protesters from staging lightning rallies there. De Villa noted that Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Angel Lagdameo had lamented recent graft and corrupt practices as "the greatest shame of our people." Excerpts of de Villa's interview were posted late Thursday night on the CBCP website. Radio dzBB reported that the noise barrages were scheduled in front of the De La Salle University along Taft Avenue; University of Life Track and Recreation Arena (Ultra) in Pasig City; España Avenue in front of University of Santo Tomas in Manila; Katipunan Road in front of Ateneo de Manila University; Araneta Avenue in Quezon City; and Binondo in Manila. The noise barrage, dubbed "Busina para sa Katotohanan (Honk Your Horns for the Truth)," is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday to support ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. De Villa said she expects a warm response from well-meaning citizens to blow their horns and produce noise "similar to what's being done every New Year's Eve." She fended off claims by pro-administration lawmakers who accused the Church of meddling in politics, saying that "politics is supposed to be for the achievement of the common good." According to her, the Church has to make its presence felt to "cleanse" the country from the evils of politics. "In fact, politics today hinder the realization of the goals of the Catholic Church's Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1991," she said. - GMANews.TV