Judge claims Palace pressure on Lozada case

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo yesterday revealed that someone from Malacañang is trying to pressure him to inhibit himself from the perjury case filed by former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor against national broadband network (NBN) deal whistleblower  Rodolfo Lozada Jr.

During the ABS-CBN news interview, Lorredo said that his refusal to inhibit from the case is also meant to protect his fellow magistrates at the Manila MTC.

Lorredo declined to name the emissary from Malacañang who allegedly talked to him, saying that he knows, as a trial lawyer, that that person would only deny his claim.

 “Whatever pressure Malacañang puts on me, I will not inhibit,” Lorredo, presiding judge of the Manila MTC Branch 26, said.

 “Sinong gagawin kong witness (Who will I use as witness)?” Lorredo said.

The MTC judge said he also heard reports that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, a friend of his late father, allegedly wants him to inhibit from the case. He said Gonzalez had made verbal accusations against him, but he will not react because “I have breeding.”

Lorredo also claimed that a demolition job against him is being waged, citing a newspaper article where he was accused of “ignorance of the law” for saying in an earlier order that he can subpoena or issue a warrant of arrest against President Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, to make them stand as hostile witness in Lozada’s perjury case.

In the same order, Lorredo tried to persuade Lozada’s complainant Defensor to withdraw the perjury case.

Lorredo also announced that he is inviting Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who has been given the title of “Ambassador of Peace” by Malacañang, to the perjury case’s pre-trial hearing on May 28.

“I’m calling on Pacquiao to come to my courtroom on May 28, I will allow him to talk to Mike Defensor and Jun Lozada,” he said.

He said Pacquiao may be able to help him broker peace between the two.

Lorredo said he is having a hard time persuading Defensor to make peace with Lozada.

The judge also said he will explain during the May 28 hearing his decision to allow media to cover the proceedings live.

He said he extensively read a Supreme Court circular used in the trial of a case filed by former President Corazon Aquino against the late broadcast journalist Luis Beltran Sr.

Lorredo clarified that the circular was meant to protect an accused from public prejudice, but this would be of no use if Lozada himself would allow media coverage.

“So I will ask Jun Lozada if he will allow media’s presence on May 28. If he agrees, the Supreme Court ruling won’t be applicable anymore,” Lorredo said.