Lacson: I’m targeting corruption in gov’t, not Arroyo

Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he is not personally attacking President Arroyo in his exposés but rather the corruption at the "highest level of government" that he wants to bring to the nation’s attention.

"I am not targeting the President. I am targeting corruption in government. I am not targeting any personality," Lacson said.

In an interview with ANC’s "Strictly Politics" program Tuesday night, Lacson declared he will continue to expose the corruption in the government even if it means involving the highest officials.

When pressed to answer if Mrs. Arroyo will be involved in his latest exposés, Lacson replied: "Let’s just wait for Chapter Two."

"This is all about corruption and I need to inform the Filipino people that such corruption is happening at the highest level of government," he added.

Lacson said he distrusted Mrs. Arroyo’s word that she would not lift a finger to help out her beleaguered husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, from his accusations of money laundering.

Lacson pointed out Malacañang had helped out when Palace officials showed up in last Monday’s unexpected appearance of his star witness, Eugenio Mahusay Jr.

The controversial "rescue" was also stage managed by Malacañang led by Housing Secretary Michael Defensor with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) at the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite, he said.

Malacañang earlier claimed Mahusay, the First Gentleman’s godson and former personal messenger, was "rescued" by his brothers with the help of Defensor.

Lacson’s camp, however, insisted Mahusay was abducted from his safe house at the Milestone Apartelle in Tagaytay City after coming out claiming that he witnessed Mr. Arroyo sign bank documents under the name Jose Pidal.

"How come (Presidential Spokesman Ignacio) Bunye was at the PNPA premises? How come Mike Defensor was the one who led the taking out of Mahusay? So, isn’t that Malacañang’s move to take out Mahusay at all cost?" Lacson asked.

In the same interview, Lacson claimed a "loyalty check" is being conducted among employees of the LTA office since Mahusay surfaced.

The LTA building, located along Perea Street in Makati City is where Mr. Arroyo holds office.

Lacson declared he will show proof that Rommel Javier, an LTA employee, was "picked up" by the PSG but later released after he was mistaken for being his informant.

"He was texting somebody, not necessarily from my staff but someone we know. The text said he was picked up and placed in some safe house. But Rommel was not the one providing us information. They picked up the wrong guy," Lacson said.

Another Witness

Aside from Mahusay, Lacson claimed he has another witness who he described as "not an Arroyo employee" but a frequent visitor to the LTA building.

"He (the unnamed witness) seeks favor (from the First Gentleman) actually and he sees so many things," Lacson said.

He claimed his witness has all the information on other people frequently visiting Mr. Arroyo’s office.

Lacson assured the witness is not under his custody but has executed a sworn statement.

While the opposition senator declared to "have the goods" on Mr. Arroyo, he denied that his exposé was meant to divert attention from impending Supreme Court ruling on the Kuratong Baleleng rubout case in which he has been implicated.

Lacson hinted that the government may already have inside information on the controversial case.

"Why did they react by saying that I am preempting the Supreme Court decision? Do they have information about the forthcoming decision?" he asked.

An unperturbed Lacson said he is not afraid of whatever decision that will come out of the Kuratong Baleleng case.

"I’m prepared for anything. I’ve reached this point in my life that I don’t feel any more fear in me," he said.

At the same time, Lacson denied his revelations had anything to do with the coming release of a joint Senate committee report on his alleged criminal activities.

The senator was firm in declaring that he will not enter into any legal compromise with the Arroyo government saying his exposé is "non-negotiable."

Instead, Lacson vowed to present more evidence next week against the First Gentleman when he delivers the "Chapter Two" of his series of privileged speeches at the Senate.

Lacson claimed the First Gentleman’s camp offered no rebuttal to his allegations and only evaded the issue by resorting to name-calling.

"I could not say how many chapters are soon to follow. We will move on to other forms of corruption and many other accounts of existing persons," he said.