Word war between Joker, Lacierda rages

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda hit back yesterday at former senator Joker Arroyo and questioned his behavior at the height of the national broadband network-ZTE scandal.

Lacierda said Arroyo got angry after NBN whistle-blower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. revealed that he had met with Arroyo’s wife, Fely.

“I remember it very well because I was counsel for Jun Lozada in NBN-ZTE,” Lacierda said.  “Senator Joker Arroyo became silent when Jun Lozada explained and described the house, the hallway, the driveway (of the meeting place).”

Lacierda said Arroyo defended a Malacañang official who had given Lozada P500,000 allegedly to prevent him from testifying.

“The one who handed (Lozada) the money was Deputy Executive Secretary Manny Gaite, who was promoted to SEC (Securities and Exchange Commissions) commissioner in 2009,” Lacierda said, adding that Arroyo immediately defended Manny Gaite by saying (Gaite) was close to priests.”

Lacierda said Arroyo was silent on the issues that hounded the Arroyo administration.

“When he ran for  the Senate, I voted for him because he said,  ‘Pag bad ka, lagot ka (When you’re bad, you’re busted)’,” Lacierda said. “I believed in him. His performance during the Senate impeachment (against former President Joseph Estrada) was very impressive.”