Lozada-Abalos face-off, ABS-CBN online forum draw nearly 30,000 posts

abs-cbnNEWS.com

An online poll conducted by ABS-CBN over the Internet and through texting showed that more people believe statements made by Senate star witness Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. over those made by four government officials during the TV special "Harapan" simulcast over ABS-CBN Channel 2, the ABS-CBN News Channel and radio dzMM Teleradyo on Saturday night.

Online votes sent through text and the Internet surged as the TV special aired from 9:30 pm till around ten minutes past midnight. By the time the TV special ended, the poll results were at 92% in favor of Lozada's testimony. A mere 8% of voters doubted Lozada.

Lozada participated in the TV special via remote link-up to the studio from his quarters in La Salle High School Greenhills under the care of the Las nuns and religious.

Those results are far from final however, since the "Harapan" online poll and forum over www.abs-cbn.com that began noontime on Saturday is ongoing until February 19.

Voters may send in their views through email, text messages, forum posts and cast their vote by clicking either "Oo" (Yes) or "Hindi" (No) in answer to the question "Nagsasabi ba ng totoo si Lozada?" (Is Lozada telling the truth?) on the online poll.

During the nearly three-hour live TV special where Lozada faced government officials and allies whom he accused of either engaging in corruption, abetting it or helping cover it up, nearly thirty thousand voters weighed-in on their discussion.

During the program, Lozada mostly repeated statements he made at the recent Senate hearings on his supposed abduction by government operatives on February 5.

Still, he also had to respond to rebuttals made by government officials against his testimony. Those officials, who all guested during the show, included former Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Jr.; national police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr.; deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez; and Transportation Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Formoso III.

Abalos was accompanied by his lawyer Salvador Panelo.

As of 1:00 a.m. Sunday, ABS-CBN's "Harapan" forum and poll showed that 92% of the total number of voters believed Lozada's testimony while only 8% doubted him.

Majority of the almost 30,000 forum posts also expressed faith and support for the embattled Senate star witness.

"I do believe in Lozada's statement. His words are consistent and he speaks with dignity and sincerity," said viewer Ciella Lopez, in an email to ABS-CBN News.

"Lozada's narration and story is very credible," said Luis Hernandez, also via email. "The administration panel's story crumbles if one applies logic," he added.

Many emailers also cited that Lozada was "brave" enough to face the risks that came with the expose.

"Why will Jun Lozada expose the real deal on ZTE for his own benefit if he is not even getting anything out of the deal?" asked Diana, an emailer from Taiwan.

"The motive of Jun is clear enough - that he wants to correct the wrongdoing of the government and let the people know what disaster we will be facing due to the corrupt government officials," the emailer added.

"Hindi biro ang ginawa nyang pagbulgar sa anomalya. Parang bumangga siya sa higanteng pader, and to do that, its only [the] truth that will give you the courage to reveal [what you know]" said Ester Gevera, another emailer.

Face-off ala '1 vs 100'
Midway through the "Harapan" TV special, Lozada couldn't help but complain of exhaustion as he listened to Razon and company in order to respond to their rebuttals of his Senate statements.

Lozada said he could not help but feel like he was on the game show "1 vs. 100" where a lone contestant matched wits against a group of 100 people, collectively known as "The Mob."

Some viewers posted their complaints about what they called a "disadvantaged" situation for Lozada.

"The set-up of the show was unfair and biased," said Josie, a texter from General Santos City. "Time for Lozada was not given to him in full," she added.

Jerome, a texter from Sta. Ana, Manila, said that it was "quite unfair" that Lozada had "to face those people all by himself." He added that "the title was 'Harapan' so it's supposed to be only two persons."

Texter El Ayo from Davao even said that the show was a "lie detector test" for Lozada.

"ABS-CBN indirectly made this show 'Harapan' as a lie detector test [for] Lozada instead of a showdown between him and Abalos. This is unfair," his message read.

Anchors Korina Sanchez and Ricky Carandang explained that the "Harapan" was not only between Lozada and Abalos - who are among the main players in the controversy - but was also a chance for others accused by Lozada to air their side.

More importantly, it was an opportunity for audiences to weigh and compare statements made by Lozada and the accused government officials, in order to help them (audiences) decide for themselves which side is telling the truth.

People who sided with Lozada were also present during the latter part of the show.

Sis. Mary John Mananzan OSB of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Alvin Peters of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, and Ramon Del Rosario of the Makati Business Club were present in the studio to contribute to Lozada's side of the discussion.

The other side
Not all who posted comments on the "Harapan" forum sided with Lozada.

"I don't think Lozada is saying the whole truth. He has a motive why he is doing this. Just look at his background first before you believe him," said emailer Margarita Cruz.

Lozada's latest revelation during the show was that, after he left for Hong Kong (supposedly on orders of Environment Secretary Lito Atienza) in an attempt to avoid attending the Senate hearing, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Manuel Gaite sent him half a million pesos.

Lozada said that since he was already in Hong Kong, it was his brother who picked up the P500,000 from Gaite. He said that the money remains untouched and that he plans to surrender it to the Senate at the next hearing.

Viewer Jouie Gabat reacted to this, saying: "He's no different from the people that he's attacking. Why did he not reveal the 500k when he was in the Senate if he did not have any intention of keeping it for himself in the first place?" said Gabat.

Vicky of Quezon City also said that Lozada says "incoherent stories" when "pushed against the wall," adding that "he's a big liar (and) manufacturer) of tall tales."

Some texters also said that Lozada and his supporters seemingly "do not want progress" for the Filipino because of the controversy they are creating.

"Marami talagang ayaw umasenso ang mga Pilipino. Isa na si Jun, (ang) MBC, (at mga) pari at madre kasi hindi nila magamit ang mahihirap," said Dong, a texter from Pandi, Bulacan.

Some also sided with Abalos, like texter Amado from Negros Oriental.

"We believe in the innocence of former Chair Abalos," the message read. "Our prayers are with you."

Eds Note: The comments cited in the article - sent to ABS-CBN News through emails, text messages, and online posts - have been edited for publication. ABS-CBN News offers the "Harapan" online forum and poll as a means to allow audiences and Internet users to express their views, and makes no guarantees regarding the use of poll results for any statistical or scientific purpose.