Issues and Questions Answered on politicalarena.com

What will you do to stop corruption? How can you say that ur (sic) not all corrupt?

As the lawyer who represented Jun Lozada for the NBN-ZTE scandal, I have come to see firsthand why it is difficult and dangerous for people to stand up and speak out against corrupt deals and officials.

When Jun Lozada could no longer stand keeping quiet about the gross overpricing of the NBN-ZTE contract and decided to go public and tell all he knows about the anomalies regarding the deal, his life was put in grave danger. If not for the prudent and timely protection of family and concerned citizens, he would have most likely have been kidnapped and disappeared without a trace.

Today, Jun Lozada has no means of livelihood. He and his family are being sustained with the help of the good people at La Salle Greenhills. With no means to support himself and his family, and with their safety uncertain, there is little wonder why very few people would have the courage to speak against the corruption that they see. That fear is what allows corrupt officers and individuals to continue their wrongdoing.

If I have the opportunity to serve in the Senate, the first item in my legislative agenda I will push for is the introduction of a WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAW.

Today there is a very narrow category of witnesses who can avail government protection. People involved in questionnable deals who wish to correct the wrong they have done (like in the case of Jun Lozada) are NOT eligible for state protection.

They are still subject to prosecution which, when you add the threats to their lives and loss of livelihood, becomes a bigger DISINCENTIVE to become a witness against bigger corrupt officials.

I believe the people who have the best information to bring down a corrupt official are the ones deeply involved with them (usually because of fear and coercion). If we present a viable alternative to these potential witnesses and provide reasonable protection for them and their families, we will have a more successful prosecution against these corrupt people.

And when corrupt officials become aware that ANYONE THEY DEAL WITH can become a witness against them and will not be afraid of their intimidation tactics, then the incentive to commit graft in the government will be significantly lessened.

To know more, please view my video on this topic. http://reyprincesa4senator.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/legislative-agenda-item-1-whistleblower-protection-law/

To answer your 2nd question on how I can say I am not corrupt, the quick answer to that is that I owe no favors to speacial interests (either in private or public office). I lead a modest lifestyle and have no intentions of enriching myself in public office.

These, of course, are statements that are said by anyone. But if you ask anyone who has worked with me, they can tell you honestly, that that is the truth. And if I am elected Senator, I will make all my transactions public and that anyone can request reports to ensure that me dealings are all above board.

Filing of the writ of amparo for Jun Lozada

Representing Jun Lozada at the height of the NBN=ZTE scandal. Filed writ of amparo to the Supreme Court.

MANILA, Philippines–Lawyer Reynaldo Prinsesa explains the nature of the writ of amparo they filed for the protection and release of national broadband network witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr., who was under the custody of the Philippine National Police. In the background is Lozada’s brother Arthur. Video taken by INQUIRER.net reporter Tetch Torres on February 6, 2008.