Press Release
November 5, 2012

Transcript of ambush interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Comelec election registrar in Cagayan

SP: Nakikialam sa politika 'yung Comelec registrar. 'Yung kanyang anak, kandidato para sa pagka-konsehal sa bayan na 'yon kasama 'ata doon sa mayor. 'Yon namang number two man, 'yung Ruiz ay kumakandidato rin 'yung anak na konsehal. Akala ng mayor 'yung mga nagpapa-rehistro na tao ay hindi boboto sa kanya. Parang exclusion of voters 'yon. Bawal 'yon. Ministerial 'yung trabaho niya to provide the forms for the voters. Naka-linya ng ala-sais y medya ng umaga. Hindi na nananghalian 'yung mga tao. Nabibilad at tine-threaten na sarahan 'yung registration ng three o'clock. Nag-panic sila. Minumura sila ng mayor. Nagpapunta sila ng tao sa akin. Alam nila na nandoon ako. So, pinuntahan ko. Bakit ganyan? Huwag kayong makikialam sa politika. Tinawagan ko si Chairman Brillantes. Sabi ko, kung ganyan kayo rito, ayaw ko kayo rito sa aking distrito. Ako, I don't like partial people, biased people na nakikialam sa politika rito. Kung gusto niyo mag-politika rito, leave the civil service.

Q: Sir, so totoo po ba na sinabihan niyo si Chairman Brillantes na tanggalin si Tacazon?

SP: Kung hindi siya impartial, kako tanggalin mo rito para hindi makikialam sa politika. Hindi ako nakikialam. Kailangan ako ng tao. Akalain mo mahigit 300 'yung tao na nakabilad doon. Nanggaling sa malalayong barangay. Dumadaan sila sa dagat.

Q: Sir, sinasabi niya way beyond registration time naman na daw kasi...

SP: No. Three o'clock 'yon. Closing time is five o'clock. They have been there in the morning, ayaw silang bigyan ng form. They have executed affidavits and they will present it to the Comelec.

Q: Sir, 'yung unkind treatment niyo raw doon sa election officer...

SP: What unkind treatment? I did not do any unkind treatment. There are so many people there. The people there were clapping and shouting because I intervened for them. At saka 'yung asawa n'on nagtrabaho sa akin, kilala ko 'yon. Kilala ko 'yung mga 'yon at saka 'yung regional Comelec ay manugang niya. Kaya matigas ang ulo niya.

Q: Sir, anong motive kaya dinadala pa niya sa media 'yung kanyang reklamo?

SP: Politika. Mga kakabit niya sa politika 'yung mga 'yon.

Q: Sino sir? 'Yung mayor, sir?

SP: Hindi lang 'yung mayor. 'Yung PLLO rito, taga-doon.

Q: Sir, 'yung mga kandidato pong mga ito, are they allied with people who are not your allies?

SP: Her son is running for a position in the town. Allied with the mayor. The son of her executive no. two official is also running on the ticket of the mayor. And the mayor was there dictating to them and scolding the people.

Q: Sir, ano po ang involvement dito ni Secretary Mamba?

SP: Tao niya 'yon, si Mayor Tobias. 'Yung si Tobias, ako ang nagbigay ng trabaho doon noong ako ay Secretary of National Defense. Kilala ko lahat 'yang mga 'yan pati bituka nila.

Q: So sir, hindi proper na manatili pa sila sa Comelec dahil 'yung mga anak nila ay tumatakbo...

SP: Dapat nga hindi. Dapat mag-inhibit sila. How can you be impartial kung kasama ka sa isang political group. How can you be impartial?

Q: Sir, anong reply sa inyo ni Chairman Brillantes noong sinabi niyo na tanggalin si Tacazon?

SP: Hindi naman kumibo. Sabi ko, I don't like these people here if they can't be impartial. That's what I told him. It's up to him. That's why I brought it to his attention.

Q: Sir, sinabi po nila na last day of registration...

SP: It's true. It was the last day. In fact, mismong si Chairman ang nag-order sa kanila to register those people because they have been there. They were not remised. They were there very early in the morning. They were even ahead of that woman. I would be the last one to be mean to any of my people in my area. I know each one of those people in my town. They look up to me for help whenever they need any help.

On Sin Tax

Q: Sir, 'yung sin tax deliberations, would it be a priority?

SP: Yes, both the budget and the sin tax are priorities over all other legislations.

Q: Sir, paano 'yung RH?

SP: Second priority 'yon.

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