This is in response to the editorial “Going after Lozada” (Inquirer, 4/28/09) on the involvement of Social Security System president and chief executive officer Romulo Neri in the government’s national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp.

The editorial said: “‘[Former Comelec Chair Benjamin Abalos] purportedly said, “Sec, may 200 ka dito.’ (This has been interpreted to mean that there was P200 million for Neri in the deal.) Neri acknowledged that he heard the offer but recommended the approval of the deal anyway. There was a bribery attempt, but the bribe offeror was not charged. Neri, instead of being dismissed for not reporting the bribery attempt, was transferred to another government position.”

The editorial is incorrect and unfair to Secretary Neri. Records at the Senate show that Secretary Neri exposed the bribe, which he turned down, and reported it to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The editorial twisted the truth to the detriment of SSS members. It could unfairly undermine the members’ confidence in the SSS leadership.

—JOEL P. PALACIOS,
assistant vice president,
Media Affairs Department,
Social Security System,
East Avenue, Diliman, QC