'Not guilty' plea for Lozada

MANILA, Philippines - NBN-ZTE national broadband controversy whistleblower Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada pleaded "not guilty" of charges of graft before the court on Wednesday.

Lozada, a former chief executive officer of the Philippine Forest Corp. (PhilForest), along with co-accused and brother Jose Orlando Lozada appeared before the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division for their arraignment.

Charged with two counts of graft for allegedly assisting his brother in an anomalous lease of state-owned lands during his term at PhilForest, Lozada surrendered to authorities last February 11.

Before his surrender, Lozada was reported to have been hiding under the protection of religious nuns due to threats and visits he received from armed men after his exposé on the $329-million botched broadband deal.

Defunct party-list group Black and White movement hails Lozada a "hero" for coming out with disclosures against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration.