Deal Breaker

February 15, 2008

And the saga continues with senate hearings on the scrapped ZTE broadband deal. Yes, totally scrapped but not totally forgotten as this now transforms into an issue about kickbacks, corruption and greed.

Last Friday, I found myself glued to the television watching the star witness recount what transpired during the day he claimed to be kidnapped or "abducted" by people from the military. He says he was stopped by unidentified men at the airport, grabbed him by the arms and took his travel documents. He was brought to far and unknown places. It took a while for him to be brought back to La Salle Greenhills where he staged a press conference with nuns and priests surrounding him. Events following that were fast-paced, and before everyone could grasp what the story was all about, there he was being grilled by each of the senators. A tough price to pay when you've seen or heard so much. I have pitied Jun Lozada in the most awkward way possible that day. My heart just went out to him and his family. After briefly questioning him, Senator Chiz Escudero even told the committee that he found Jun Lozada to be innocent and honest.

And so today, a rally is to be staged here in the main commercial business district in Metro Manila. About 3,000 people are expected to attend and let their voices be heard.

According to the news on Inquirer.net, Chinese telecommunications supplier ZTE has at last broken its silence by saying investors are just being turned off with the bleak outcome of the broadband deal resulting to a "political circus."

The Makati Business Club also expressed their dismay on what has become of this anomalous project by the government. Because of this Malacanang has allegedly warned MBC in their call for senior government officials to resign, otherwise they will have BIR chase after tax evaders in big businesses.

MBC's answer to this threat: "Bring it on." Let the games begin?