Mawanay resurfaces, asks DOJ for protection against Lacson

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson has been sending threats to former government witness Ador Mawanay and his family to pressure him to testify in the ongoing Senate investigation on the controversial broadband project with China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. This was Mawanay’s claim as he went to the Department of Justice Monday to seek protection for him and his family against Lacson. Bearing an endorsement letter from House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Mawanay went to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez saying he needed protection. Mawanay, however, did not avail of the newly-promulgated writ of amparo before the Supreme Court. Gonzalez, on the other hand, said he is giving Mawanay the benefit of the doubt, adding that he is aware of Mawanay’s previous record. “His credibility is the main issue here," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez advised Mawanay to file a report at the police regarding the threats first and then submit a written statement to the DOJ, which they would then evaluate before taking action. The DOJ chief said this is to ensure that the DOJ will not be misled by Mawanay, who has the habit of making up stories of alleged involvement of some politicians in illegal activities. Mawanay, who once implicated Lacson in drug trafficking and kidnap-for-ransom activities, was dropped out from the DOJ’s WPP in 2001 after allegedly violating some of the rules and conditions of the program. Mawanay had later recanted his accusations against Lacson. According to Mawanay, Lacson’s camp contacted him and pressured him to testify in the ongoing Senate hearing on the $329.48-million ZTE controversy. He said he is privy to the ZTE deal because he has connections who purportedly showed him the overseas bank accounts of some of the individuals alleged involved in the broadband anomaly. - GMANews.TV