The congressmen, provincial officials and mayors of Negros Occidental have issued a joint manifesto of full support for the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Acting Governor Isidro Zayco said yesterday.

Zayco said the Senate should hasten its probe into the revelations of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada on the alleged graft-ridden national broadband network agreement so the people will know the truth immediately.

If the hearings are not resolved soon and are dragged on they will be detrimental to our improving economy because investors will lose confidence in our country, Zayco said.

At the Senate hearing yesterday Lozada said former National Economic and Development Authority director-general, Romulo Neri, called Arroyo “evil” during a meeting with opposition Senators in December.

But Neri, in a press conference at Malacañang, said “I can't recall that statement…I don't recall, frankly.”

At the Senate hearing, Lozada also produced bundles of money totaling P500,000, he said were used to try to buy his silence.

"I am returning this because I failed to do my part of the bargain," Lozada said.

He said the package was handed to his family when he was sent to Hong Kong for a week earlier this month by his boss, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza.

Lozada said he was sent abroad to avoid giving evidence at the hearing, where Arroyo's husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and political ally Benjamin Abalos have been implicated.

The president cancelled a $329-million national broadband network deal with China 's state-run ZTE Corp. as a result of the graft allegations.

The Diocese of Bacolod and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter have expressed support for Lozada and called on the Arroyo administration to stop attempts to try to stop him from testifying.

Both groups have called on the Arroyo administration to allow the truth to prevail in the revelations of corruption in government.

In the manifesto, the Negros officials said that in the midst of the present crisis hounding the country today it is their belief that the Arroyo administration is sincere in its pursuit to deliver the country from political, economic and social constraints, as revealed through its agenda of social reforms and development.

The current economic gains, particularly the strengthening of the peso, is part of the government's design to achieve economic stability that transcends through all sectors of Filipino society, the manifesto said.

The Arroyo administration, in its desire to maintain stability, empowers Local Government Units by promoting self-reliance in the local level by giving support not only to bolster growth, but will also harness contributions in the grassroots community, the manifesto added.

It also said that the current political noise leading to question the government will only hinder the momentum of peace and tranquility, anchored on the promise of cooperation and economic advancement.

The manifesto is signed by Zayco, Acting Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III in behalf of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Manuel Escalante IIII, president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives and secretary general of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Neg. Occ. chapter, for the mayors of the province, and Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon Jr.;

Negros congressmen Alfredo Marañon III (2 nd District), Jose Carlos Lacson (3 rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (4 th District), Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (5 th District), Genaro Alvarez (6 th District) and Monico Puentevella (Lone District of Bacolod City).

The name of Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (1 st District) was on the manifesto but had not been signed yet. Escalante, however, said Ledesma also supported the manifesto.

Zayco said the manifesto has been sent to the President.

Senator Mar Roxas, in a statement yesterday, said the testimony of Lozada has shed more light into the botched NBN deal, and has stressed the need to reform the rotten procurement system of the government.

Roxas pointed out that, after Lozada's testimony, it is imperative now for the Senate to get the testimony of Neri “to say exactly what he knows, in the interest of the truth and public interest.” Neri has since evaded the Senate probe by invoking executive privilege.*CPG

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