Transcript of Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona

Q: What do you think of the move to oust Chief Justice Corona?

SP: I cannot talk about the case because it will come to us. I want to have a clear mind about the whole thing.

Q: Sir, sa tingin niyo po may basehan 'yung sinabi niyang i-oust si Chief Justice Corona?

SP: Hindi ko alam. Pag-aaralan namin 'yung Articles of Impeachment. Kung 'yung Articles of Impeachment dadating sa amin, it's our duty to hear it.

Q: Sir, papaano po ang sitwasyon kapag ang Chief Justice natin ay nagsasabi na may "oust movement" sa kanya?

SP: Hindi ko alam. Kaya sinasabi ko na hindi ko pwedeng talakayin 'yan sapagkat dadating sa amin 'yan. Kami ang magiging hukom. Kailangan ang hukom, malinis ang kaisipan. Hindi sarado para pag-aralan niyang mabuti 'yung kaso batay sa ebidensiya na isasampa at ipepresinta para patunayan ang mga paratang.

Q: Sir, wise move ba 'yun at this point?

SP: Hindi ko masasabi kung wise or unwise, good or bad, walang akong conclusion.

Q: Sir, nagsalita na po kasi si CJ Corona in public. Tingin niyo po makakabuti ito sa sitwasyon na parang nagbabanggaan...

SP: Hindi ko masasagot 'yon. Kung ako ang tatanungin niyo, basta tungkol sa impeachment, hindi ko sasagutin.

Q: Sir, nagsalita lang po siya na kahit nananahimik 'yung Supreme Court ay mahina na sila...

SP: Hindi ako pwede magsalita sapagkat dadating sa amin 'yun dito.

Q: So sir, at this point, mas maigi pa rin na mamagitan ang Simbahan between the Executive and the Judiciary?

SP: Bahala na ang Simbahan kung gusto nilang mamagitan. Kami naman dito, kapag natanggap namin ang Articles of Impeachment, obligasyon namin 'yun na dinggin. Hindi naman namin pwedeng tanggihan 'yun.

Q: Sir, will the Senate be ready sa Impeachment proceedings?

SP: We are always ready. That's our duty. We have the Rules, the Session Hall.

Q: Will you do the preparations that you made sa Impeachment ng Ombudsman dati, same Rules, sir?

SP: Same Rules. Walang pagbabago.

Q: Same logistics?

SP: Pareho lang 'yon. Wala naman masyadong gastos 'yon. We have the Session Hall here.

Q: If the Articles reach here very soon, is there anything you can do about it before the resumption in January?

SP: None, except to study it.

Q: Senator, do you think the Supreme Court should restrain itself from issuing more statements that will exacerbate the situation?

SP: I will not make any statement, one way or the other. This time, I will employ the Rule of Omerta. Silence.

On Josephine Manalo

Q: Sir, will you still require Ms. Josephine Manalo's testimonies in an open proceeding?

SP: Yes, of course. There's so many questions to be asked.

Q: Like what, sir?

SP: I will not say it. I will have to find out certain things.

Q: Did you find any conflicting information regarding ownership?

SP: I did not want to ask questions because I found out that she's very healthy and she's capable of answering questions in a public hearing and I don't want the people to say that we are giving special privileges to people. We have to treat everyone equally when they appear before us.