Boycott of Villar, allies barred prosecution of GMA for anomalous NBN-ZTE deal

The deliberate absence of minority senators during the last session day on Wednesday was aimed at impeding the prosecution of President Macapagal-Arroyo in relation to the anomalous $329 million NBN-ZTE deal.

Liberal Party Director General Chito Gascon said the real reason for the absence of Sen. Manuel Villar and his Senate allies during the last session day was to “save” Mrs. Arrroyo and 11 others, including First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and former Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos, from being investigated and prosecuted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Ang tanging malinaw, inindyan ni Villar at mga kakampi niyang senador ang huling sesyon ng Senado upang sagipin si Pangulong Arroyo mula sa maanomalyang NBN-ZTE broadband deal,” Gascon stressed.

“Alam ni Sen. Villar at mga kaalyado niyang senador na hindi sapat ang boto ng mayorya para madiin ang NP bet sa maanomalyang C-5 road project, kaya malabong ito ang dahilan ng kanilang boykot,” he added, referring to the Senate committee of the Whole report recommending the censure of Villar for using his influence in the highly-anomalous diversion of the C5 road extension to pass through his real estate properties.

The C5 committee report was scheduled to be voted upon on Wednesday, after more than 2 weeks of bitter plenary debates which divided the Senate.

Gascon noted the Senate was also scheduled to vote on Wednesday on the Senate blue ribbon committee report on the NBN-ZTE bribery controversy.  The Senate, however, failed to act on the report after the Wednesday session was adjourned due to lack of quorum because of the absence of the senators belonging to the minority group.

Gascon said the non-appearance of the minority senators was deliberate to prevent the Senate from voting on the committee report, which found President Arroyo “answerable” for the “stinking” deal.

The blue ribbon committee also found basis in allegations that officials implicated in the bribery mess conspired to defraud the government in exchange for “kickbacks” from the aborted contract.

Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino has recently revealed what he claimed was an “unholy alliance” between President Arroyo and Villar, noting the latter’s “silence” on controversies involving the administration.