Transcript of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile interview

Q: Sir, hanggang Friday pa ba ang session?

SP: Hindi, wala na.

Q Sir, yung supplemental budget, kaya ba i- ratify today?

SP Oo, gagawin namin. We will open the session, convert it into a Committee of the Whole to consider the bill that came from the House. Then it will be presided by the chairman of the Committee on Finance. After that, he will report to the same body and we conduct a plenary session, go through the Second Reading and then Third Reading. The measure is certified by the President.

Q There's no need for Special Session?

SP. Wala na. Kung aaprubahan na namin ngayon, bakit kailangan pa ng special session?

Q So, wala ng bicam ?

SP Wala na. We will adopt the House version. Tapos.

Q Sir, kelan ang ratification?

SP Today.

Q Today na lahat, sir?

SP Yes. By one sitting. That's how fast your Senate is.

Q So, sir, ang i- adopt ng senate ay yung House version?

SP Yes. Yung House version na ang i- adopt namin intoto.

Q Sir, ano pong comment nyo dun sa Aquino- Galman case? Yung sampung natira ay palalayain na daw ngayon.

SP Dapat lang. Matagal na silang nakakulong. Napagbayaran na nila- kung may kasalanan man sila. Yung mga taong iyon ay sa palagay ko ay the least guilty.

Q Sir, ang tanong ng iba, bakit ngayon lang daw po? Baka may kulay pulitika?

SP Hindi naman. It's better late than never. You know, ako, I sympathize with Ninoy's death. Pero nagdusa na yung mga tao. Namatay na nga yung iba. Nagkasakit na nga yung mga iba. I think it's about time these soldiers have to be released to be with their families.

Q Sir, what's your comment dun sa sinasabing ang AFP ay mag recruit ng mga miyembro coming from the third sex? Yung mga bakla at tomboy. Payag ba kayo dun?

SP Basta ang alam ko sa Saligang Batas, all citizens of the country may be required by law to render civil or military service. So, regardless of sex. You have only three genders. Masculine, feminine or neuter. Man is not neuter. A woman is not neuter.

Q So, approve sa inyo, sir?

SP Yes. I do not see any distinction between the sexual preferences of people.