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Former presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor will testify at the Senate to explain why he gave P50,000 to Senate star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr.

"I gave him P50,000 in an envelope," he said. "I even asked my wife to lend me P50,000 because he told me he was having difficulties and did not have anymore money."

Defensor said he and Lozada were personal friends and that he recommended Lozada to head of the Philippine Forest Corp., when he was secretary of environment and natural resources.

He talked with Lozada at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong, where Lozada had sought refuge, because Lozada was in a predicament and did not know what to do, he added.

Defensor said Lozada did not want to testify at the Senate and wanted police protection.

He advised Lozada to call a press conference and clarify that he was not kidnapped, he added.

Defensor said he was willing to face the Senate in its inquiry into the supposed abduction of Lozada.

He has nothing to do with what Lozada knew and had to say about the NBN deal but would only like to clarify issues about his supposed abduction, Defensor said.

Testifying before the Senate on Friday, Lozada said it was Defensor’s idea for him to hold a press conference at 2 a.m. at La Salle on Thursday.

Lozada said armed men took him against his will after disembarking from a plane at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Tuesday.

While being taken to Laguna from the airport, he was made to sign affidavits and other papers before he was released from police custody, he added.

After the press conference, he surrendered to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Lozada said. Aurea Calica


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