Cory, Lozada reunite in healing Mass in Makati

MANILA, Philippines – Almost two months had passed since Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. and Corazon “Cory” Aquino last saw each other, and the controversial ZTE-national broadband network (NBN) witness said the first thing he will do when he gets the opportunity to talk to the former president is to report what he has been going through and to seek her advice since she had suffered much longer than he has.

Lozada missed talking to Mrs. Aquino Tuesday evening at the fourth healing Mass at the Parish of St. John Bosco in Makati City when the latter immediately left after the mass.

The two, who are bound by a common cause to search for justice and truth, last saw each other on Easter Sunday. Lozada admitted that his crusade suffered a big loss when the former president was sidelined by illness. He said he had been following the advice of the former president to be strong.

Lozada said he has recently been in a difficult situation because he cannot freely move about, knowing that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is still watching his movements. There are also legal cases that he has to attend to.

When asked if his predicament would force him to flee the country, he said, “That is the last thing I want to do. I hope I would not be forced to such a situation. The reason why I am doing all of these is because I love our country.” 

He said if the time comes and he feels that he no longer has the support of the people then maybe he would consider it a “sign” and rethink his options.

He also lamented that in some of the legal cases, he is the only one named respondent.

“I’m not the only one in the case. There were other personalities, but I’m the only one being singled out,” he said.

Aquino arrived with her daughter Kris, who brought her husband James Yap and son baby James. Other members of the Aquino family were also present. 

After the Mass, the former president expressed gratitude to those who have continued to pray for her. When she announced that her recent blood tests showed positive signs, the audience broke into applause.

“Everyday now, we are just so grateful because we feel God is extending the time of our mom with us. I think the most important thing is that she is not suffering,” said Kris.

Aquino said the power of prayer has kept the pain away. She said she did not feel nauseous and she did not lose her hair from the chemotherapy sessions.

“I cannot complain. Things have gone very well for me.”

Yesterday, it was the turn of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo to preside over the concelebrated Mass at Don Bosco Parish.

Present at the Mass were former Ambassador Howard Dee, former Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Franklin Drilon.

On watchlist

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has placed Lozada on the Bureau of Immigration’s watchlist after the NBN whistleblower said he might go abroad if the Court of Appeals junks his petition for the issuance of a protection order by way of the writ of amparo.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Lozada has been placed on the watchlist as countercharges are being mulled against him by Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon Jr. and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza.

Razon and Atienza were among the government officials who were charged by Lozada with kidnapping and attempted murder before the DOJ last month. Lozada filed his writ of amparo case with the appellate court after claiming that his life had been placed in danger following his expose on the ZTE deal.

Gonzalez added that Lozada has also been placed on the BI’s watchlist as the DOJ’s preliminary investigation on his kidnapping and frustrated murder complaint is still ongoing.

“There are countercharges filed against him. Well, we do not anticipate that he will leave the country. We are placing him on the watchlist. The preliminary investigation is still ongoing,” said Gonzalez.    – Mike Frialde