Jun Lozada's Tears

The newly resigned president of the Philippine Forest Corporation, Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.was sheding real tears and tightly controlling his sobs as he recounted his fears and agony over his need to testify on another scandal hounding the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the ZTE Broadband deal.
The deal is just one of the numerous government transactions that reek of greed and corruption among the highest officials of the land. Among those involved in the Broadband was the resigned and discredited Commissioner of the Commission on Election. Benjamin Abalos.

One striking instruction given to Lozada by the the government functionary directly in charge to oversee the project-- NEDA Director, Romulo Neri-- is : "Moderate their greed". And Lozada tried; he told Abalos, " Your cut is too huge, "bubukol yan" (it will erupt). Unable to stomach the stench of corruption involved, Lozada got out of the project.

Lozada has no doubt at all that should he speak out before the senate investigation, it will have to be the truth... that the resigned Abalos plotted receiving $130Million commission out of the government project and that the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo is involved. And when the First Gentleman is in, the President is not far behind.

Extremely afraid and oppressed, Lozada would have wanted to let this cup pass, but he could not turn his back to our country's call and need for heroes. He said:"I am doing this not just for one small family but for the whole country because our country is one family. He seemed to be carrying on his back the collective suffering of every Filipino. "After a prolonged agony, I am ready to go into the light", Lozada declared, his tears flowing, his sobs controlled, mute witnesses to the truth he was spilling from his guts.

He tried to contain his emotion, but the burden was too heavy for one man to bear. And I cried with him as he shook under the weight of a whole country's burden.