Bishop eyes last jueteng witness

DAGUPAN CITY — Another witness is willing to testify when the Senate resumes its jueteng investigation, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Oscar Cruz said yesterday

Cruz, who is also chairman of Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said his latest witness — a male — will corroborate parts of the testimony of Michaelangelo Zuce, a former Malacañang aide who had accused President Arroyo of using jueteng money to bribe election officials to ensure her victory in the 2004 election.

"It (the witness’ statements) will strengthen Zuce’s testimony which in fact was already corroborated by (Army) Capt. (Marlon) Mendoza, but this time we’ll be able to collaborate it," he said.

Cruz said before witnesses are given the go signal to testify at the Senate, they undergo stringent screening from Krusada members to ensure that they are indeed telling the truth and to ascertain the extent of their knowledge about jueteng and its influence.

"So if the Senate will open again, then I will present him," he said. "If it ends the session, I have no problem about that."

Cruz said of the 14 witnesses on Krusada’s list, only five have testified in the Senate — Abe Riva, Richard Garcia, Sandra Cam, Boy Mayor and Antonio Batacan.

Three backed out from testifying for various reasons, while four were not called because similar testimony had already been supplied by the previous five witnesses, he added.

Two witnesses remain in the care of Krusada, and one has said he will not appear before the Senate but will instead appear before the "bar of public opinion," Cruz said.

Mendoza had told the Senate that suspected Central Luzon gambling lord Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda contributed P300 million to help ensure Mrs. Arroyo’s victory in the 2004 presidential election.

The latest witness, whom Cruz is likely to present, allegedly conducted election fraud operations in Mindanao.

Cruz, who originally had 14 witnesses on his list, believes the new witness will likely pass the rigid screening by Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng.

Some senators would like to call jueteng gambling lords to confront the witnesses and this might be a basis for reopening the hearings, he said.

Although the Senate investigation was suspended by the joint committee led by Senators Manuel Villar and Lito Lapid, they continue to screen witnesses. — Eva Visperas