Telecoms case vs Mike A good as dead

For lack of a witness, the P50-million bribery charge against First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo appeared headed for the trash bin.

Sen. Joker Arroyo, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said he was mulling winding up investigation of the bribery charge since no witnesses came to the hearings to testify against President Arroyo’s husband.

Yesterday’s hearing focused more on why Mrs. Arroyo vetoed the controversial franchise bills of the Philippine Communications Clearinghouse Inc. (PCCI) and the APC Wireless Interface Network Inc. but approved 10 other similar measures.

Another telecommunications franchise bill was simply allowed to lapse into law.

The supposed key witness against Mr. Arroyo in yesterday’s hearing just sent in a sworn statement denying any knowledge of the alleged P50 million bribery in exchange for his efforts for a recall of the veto.

In her statement read by Senator Arroyo, Maria Luz "Malou" Nuñez clarified that she merely sought a meeting with Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer Gabriel Claudio on behalf of PCCI and APC majority stockholder Pacifico Marcelo. – Aurea Calica