Transcript of interview with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

Q: Sir, anong update sa budget?

SP: Pinag- uusapan nila ngayon sa Sofitel. Kailangang i- print muna 'yun bago maaprubahan. Pagbalik namin sa January printed na 'yun. Q: Mag a- adjourn po kayo ngayon, sir?

SP: Oo. Q: Sir, papaano 'yun, re- enacted 'yung budget natin sa January?

SP: Yes, only for a short term. Q: Sir,ano pong statement n'yo dun sa sinabi ni Pangulong Gloria na hindi siya mag apologize sa pag declare niya ng martial law?

SP: Siguro, in her own mind she thinks that she exercises her own powers.

Q: Sir, how about 'yung judge who refused to handle the case of the Ampatuans?

SP: Kaduwagan 'yun. That's the duty of the judge. Kapag pumunta sa kanya ang kaso, he has to handle it. If he cannot handle it, then he has to get the hell out of that.

Q: Pwede bang ganoon ang reason, sir, na natatakot siya for his life?

SP Nandyan naman ang pwersa ng gobiyerno na sasaklolo sa kanya, mag se- secure sa kanya- pati pamilya niya. Nobody is bigger than the government in this country.

Q: Sir, hindi ba siya pwedeng i- discipline ng Supreme Court?

SP: Pinagsabihan ata siya ni Chief Justice Puno.

Q 'Yun bang mga duwag na judge, sir, kailangang mag resign?

SP O, kung hindi nila mahawakan ang kaso. Hindi ka pwedeng pumili ng kaso. Kaya nga nira- raffle 'yung kaso, para patas- patas kung sino 'yung tatamaan. So, take your own chances. Life is like that.

Q Kapag ganoon po ba, pro- proteksyunan sila ng government?

SP Kailangan. It goes without saying na kung may threat sa kanya, he has to be secured in. But he must not use the excuse that he might be killed in line of duty. Everybody in the government is exposed to danger. Life is uncertain. I don't think naman just anybody will threaten him. Baka takot lang siya dahil matrabaho 'yun.

Q Sir, kahapon 'yung hearing sa Committee on Public Order, three hearings 'yun, hindi sinipot ng mga cabinet members- 'yung tungkol sa mga private armies po.

SP I think what happened is that they wanted time to prepare. Masyado yatang short 'yung time na binigay sa kanila to prepare.