I seldom talk politics here. It’s not because I am not interested in politics. I read Philippine Daily Inquirer regularly and listen to news on the AM frequency. I think I can say that I am up to that to the goings on of Philippine politics. I don’t blog about my opinion on current affairs because I choose to keep my opinions to myself. I just want to be informed.
I am breaking my silence today because of recent incidents involving Jun Lozada, the star witness of senate investigation on the ZTE-NBN deal. When Mr. Lozada returned from Hong Kong and was taken by the military, I became frightened for him. It was a relief when news broke that he was in the custody of the nuns and brothers in La Salle Greenhills. I felt pride when he finally appeared in the senate and revealed the anomalies of the NBN deal. I even wanted to go to Greenhills when him, Cory Aquino, and his other supporters held a mass for peace. Unfortunately, I was out of town on that day if I remember correctly.
His actions these past few weeks, I found annoying. It’s fine with me that he goes from school to school to urge students to protest the credibility of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. What I don’t like is how he is being treated right now. Jun Lozada is not a celebrity. I call him the catalyst because that’s what he did. Because of him, the testimonies of JDV III gained credibility. It is also because of him that the Senate actually has a case against those involved in the ZTE-NBN deal. I just hate the blind adoration of some of the populace. There’s even a news report that his life story will be turned into a movie. Some Filipinos let themselves get carried away by emotions and I find it sad. They insist on having their photos taken with Mr. Lozada, etc. I feel that the adulation for him has overshadowed the real issue which the Filipinos should focus on.
In case readers misread what I just wrote, I am not against Jun Lozada. In fact, I admire his courage in coming out and exposing the anomalies of the deal. But please, for the love of our country, do not turn him into a celebrity. Focus on the real issues we are facing like the legitimacy of the President, the Spratleys issue, and especially the accountability of the NBN deal.
