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BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda said Monday she would like an end to the Senate investigation on the National Broadband Network (NBN) controversy so charges could be filed against those involved.
Legarda, who was in Bacolod City, said closure is needed soon on the NBN hearings so that the senators could study the evidence and make recommendations.
While she said there was truth to what Senate witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. has bared, she also wanted to see the documentary evidence to come up with conclusions.
While Senate investigations are held in aid of legislation, Legarda said the matter of NBN deal should not just end there.
"If there is enough evidence, we must have strong recommendations for immediate prosecution. (But) we have to have concrete results based on documentary evidence and an honest to goodness assessment of the testimonies," she said.
Legarda added that charges should be filed against those involved.
"It is important that we exhaust all existing laws to prosecute the corrupt at the soonest possible time because if we let this pass, then corruption will be a way of life in the Philippines. We have to set an example and prosecute whoever is involved," she said.
Legarda said it is premature to call for the President’s resignation as it would be prejudging the results of the Senate hearings.
However, she said it is difficult to say whether Arroyo could stay as president until 2010 with one scandal after the other.
"There is a need to reform the whole corrupt system. People are just sick and tired of being poor, and sick and tired of being robbed," Legarda said. /Inquirer
