Joker to JDV: Don't testify at ZTE deal hearing

MANILA, Philippines - A pro-administration senator on Thursday advised former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr not to testify at the NBN-ZTE probe since he has nothing earth-shaking to tell the Senate joint panel anyway. The advice was issued by Sen. Joker Arroyo who added that de Venecia’s appearance in the Senate joint inquiry might be misconstrued as “sour-graping." He was referring to De Venecia's ouster from the House speakership post by pro-administration congressmen. He was replaced by Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles. “Sana si Speaker (Jose de Venecia) he has held a high position, he’s public figure parang of the highest order. Ngayon parang baka hindi in keeping with his position na sasali siya diyan," Arroyo said. “At tingin ko naman parang wala siyang iko-contribute ‘e baka sabihin pa riyan nagsa-sourgrape siya. Ang tingin (ko) sa kanya para bang Speaker pa rin siya. Sana ‘wag na (mag-testify) because si Joey, anak niya nag-testify (na) doon,"he added. Arroyo said De Venecia's appearance in the Senate joint probe would belie his earlier claim that he has no control over his son, Jose “Joey" de Venecia, and that his testimony in the Senate NBN-ZTE probe was his own decision. “Kung gayun pala, kung nag-testify siya, para bang ‘yung statement niya hindi tama ang earlier statement na hindi niya nako-control ang anak niya. So the better thing siguro is huwag na lang," he stressed. The pro-administration senator also said de Venecia does not deserve any possible retaliation from Malacanang for appearing in the Senate’s NBN-ZTE probe. De Venecia has already confirmed in media that he was present in Shenzhen when President Arroyo played golf and held private meeting with ZTE officials five months before the Chinese telecommunications firm bagged the $328-million NBN contract. The former House leader said he was invited by the President to accompany her in Shenzhen. “Yes, pwedeng ma-ano (gantihan) and I don’t think he deserves that. Sa sideline na lang siya," Arroyo maintained. He further advised de Venecia to ignore the prodding of other senators urging him to finally testify. “Alam mo naman ‘yung mga yun e. Alam mo nga hearing sa Senado gamitan lang. Lahat naman iyan, nakikita mo naman – sige magtestify ka tapos ‘yung consequences hindi iniisip," he said. But Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, another pro-administration senator, said de Venecia is always welcome to appear in the Senate joint inquiry. “Anybody who has any knowledge how it happened, I think is welcome to appear. Maybe it would be very good for him to appear in the investigation because there are indications that his office was involved," Enrile said. The veteran senator nevertheless indicated that de Venecia could also be questioned about his knowledge on the Southrail and Northrail projects. Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel said he can sense De Venecia was willing to appear in the Senate probe but would want a confirmation. Pimentel said Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, was right in seeking first a personal commitment from De Venecia before a summon is issued to avoid another embarrassing situation. “I could sense from the way Sen. Cayetano described it to me he is going to see JDV (to) get a commitment that he will appear then he will issue the corresponding invitation. That to me is the correct approach," the Senate minority leader said. The Senate panels involved in the ZTE deal probe are trying to get new witnesses and organizing a new hearing regarding the mess. Even as senators mulled over moves regarding the hearing, employees of the National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordinating Committee (NEDA-ICC) called on government to release all NEDA documents pertaining to the deal. In reaction, Sen. Manuel Roxas II, co-chair of the tri-panel Senate probe, said it was about time that all documents on the NBN-ZTE contract are released. "These documents are key to finding out the root of this fiasco: on how and why the government suddenly decided that the NBN—previously a private-sector, build-operate-transfer project, with no government expense or guarantee—will be engaged as a government-funded project, with a loan to be shouldered by the public," he said. Roxas said even NEDA employees are themselves demanding the release of said documents to restore the credibility of their agency. "Hindi na matiis ng NEDA employees ang kung papaanong itinatago at ipinagkakait ang impormasyong dati namang bukas sa publiko. Ayaw na nilang madawit at magpagamit sa patuloy na pagtaklob sa katotohanan (The NEDA employees could not stand how information that's normally public is being concealed. They don't want to be used in the continued stonewalling of the truth)," he said. - GMANews.TV