STATEMENT OF SEN. AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR.
(Senate should not delay hearing Lozada's testimony)

The Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. should not be delayed. Lozada can give his testimony before the committee and the sooner this is done the better.

The committee should not give those who want to silence Lozada any chance to do so by delaying the presentation of his committee testimony.

Any delay adds to the threat to his life by those who want to silence him.

The committee should not be an unwitting party to such a scheme. There is no absolute requirement that a witness should first execute an affidavit before he may be called to testify before the committee and if there is, the rule should be suspended to enable Lozada to testify considering the circumstances.