Transcript of interview with Senate President Manny Villar with Senate reporters

Q: Ang debate ninyo kanina, kung applicable ang Section 20 or not?

SPMBV: Yes but instead of tackling that issue, we decided to be silent on it. One thing is clear, it was applied because if it was not applied, then they would have been confirmed. But at least, it was mentioned that they will all be taken up next session.

Q: Ano pong term ang dapat na gamitin? Na-suspend ang confirmation nila for next hearing?

SPMBV: Basta ite-take namin next hearing kasi hindi pa naman adjourned sine die.

Q: They are not deemed bypassed?

SPMBV: Iyon ang ika-clarify namin, whether they have been bypassed. Ang feeling ng majority ng senators, they are not. But to be safe, we don't want them to be put in a difficult situation. Basta we will take them up. Our rules committee will work on it if they have to get another nomination or there's no need.

Q: Yung status nila Sec. Duque and Macarambon?

SPMBV: Deferred na muna. Saka na muna. But we will take them up in the next session also.

Q: Kailan po ang next session?

SPMBV: Pag-resume na. Even in the other interpretation of the rules, kapag sine die adjournment, you cannot give Section 20 anyway. So they will be confirmed in the next session.

Q: Basically hindi rin naibigay ang Section 20?

SPMBV: Yes and no. It was invoked in the sense that they were not confirmed. Kaya lang, parang nag-agree na ang lahat na ite-take up uli iyan. Hindi na kailangang dumaan sa committee.

Q: Ngayon po naka-refer sa Committee on Rules?

SPMBV: Oo pero sa amin na lang iyon. Diretso na sila sa plenary next hearing.

Q: Ang status nila, suspended lang?

SPMBV: Ite-take up sila next hearing.

Q: Iyong motion ni Sec. Biazon na i-restudy Section 20?

SPMBV: We will definitely look into this section. This experience told us that we have to look into this kasi we bypassed 25 officers of the Armed Forces. Mahirap naman iyon kung ganyan lang.

Q: Sa tingin ninyo unfair iyon?

SPMBV: It's hard to say. That's the rule. If that is the rule, then that is the rule. I guess kung unfair iyan, then it is our obligation to amend the rules. But right now, iyon ang rules.

Q: How did this try your temper? Kasi iyong maze bigla ninyong pinababa.

SPMBV: Hindi naman. Nag-suspend ang session. Hindi ko pinababa ang maze.

Q: Walang ka-ingay ingay biglang pinababa?

SPMBV: Hindi. Nakangiti ako.

Q: Pinababa ninyo?

SPMBV: No. When you suspend kasi, the maze has to be brought down.

Q: Hindi uminit ulo ninyo sir? Okay lang ang sigawan? Para tayong Taiwan?

SPMBV: Okay lang iyan. Masaya nga eh. Iyan ay spices. Pampasarap ng ulam iyan.

Q: Iyong salitang treachery removed from the record?

SPMBV: That issue will be taken up in the next session.

Q: Plenary na, hindi na committee?

SPMBV: Plenary na.

Q: First time itong nangyari sa CA?

SPMBV: Hindi naman. Madalas na ma-invoke ang Section 20 in the past. Kaya lang ito omnibus, marami-rami.

Q: May singitan daw talaga na nangyari?

SPMBV: Walang singitan na nangyari. Very careful si Sen. Jamby. Very careful ang lahat. Walang name na na-mention na hindi dapat i-mention. Everybody was very careful.

Q: Nahirapan ba kayong i-resolve?

SPMBV: Hindi.