Transcript of interview with Sen. Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the budget

SFMD: The only hearing left is that of the DOE and that's a second hearing, upon the request of Sen. Sergio Osmea. We have the DBCC to brief us through the amendments and the effects of the amendments done by the House on the President's budget. We will submit our committee report by Monday. We have requested for a caucus. On Tuesday, November 21, we intend to sponsor the budget on the floor. Thereafter, we give two weeks for the debate. Our target is to have it approved on second and third reading on December 4. Thereafter, we go to bicam. We have two weeks within which to complete the budget.

Q: May idea na tayo kung paano matatapos?

SFMD: Wala pa. I will submit my report on Monday.

Q: On the arrest of a reporter in Malacañang

SFMD: When I was Secretary of Justice, I always resolve the doubt in favor of allowing media to have latitude in the exercise of their profession. I am not in favor of hailing media to the courts on libel charges In my 20 years of service, I never brought a single media person to court, notwithstanding sometimes, the unfair criticism that I receive. I consider that as part of the game. I never brought anyone to court. The conclusion is inevitable that these libel cases are being used as a tool of political harassment. (end)