Dilaab organizes Mass for ZTE mess on Feb 18

In response to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ call for communal action against the National Broadband Network-China ZTE Corp. “stink”, the Dilaab Foundation, Inc. is organizing an advocacy Mass on the search for truth this February 18 at the Redemptorist Church.

Fr. Carmelo Diola, overall coordinating steward of Dilaab, will officiate the Mass which will start at 7 p.m.

This is also in response to Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal’s call for truth to come out on the said case.

Vidal voiced hope that the Senate would identify the people behind the controversial national broadband network deal to resolve the issue peacefully and restore the people’s trust in government.

“Let the truth come out. Whatever it is or whoever will be hurt, the truth must come out,” Vidal said.

The prelate talked to reporters while government officials in Manila took turns assailing the claim of star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., that he was abducted as soon as he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last week.

Lozada, a telecommunications expert, claimed that former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. brokered the $329-million NBN-ZTE deal in exchange for $130 million in commissions with the knowledge of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Arroyo and Abalos have both denied the accusation.

“It is the stance of the Church to work against graft and corruption and that it would continue doing so,” Vidal said.

“We have a group here, the Dilaab. We will continue our work against corruption in a Christian way and we hope that the result of the investigation will be a peaceful resolution of the problems in our government,” he added.

Also, Vidal pointed out that the protection given by priests and nuns to Lozada does not mean that the Church is siding with any group.

“We do not know where they are siding. I, myself, do not like to be partisan. I do not want to be judgmental,” he said.

He underscored that Church leaders do not have the authority to determine the outcome of the case.

“It is up to the courts, up to the government to evaluate this one and make a decision,” Vidal said.

He also said that he would not direct the people what to do regarding the controversial issue.

“Let the people decide but in a very peaceful and constitutional way as much as possible,” he said. — Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV