Press Release
July 23, 2013

Transcript of Ambush Interview of SP Franklin Drilon

On PNoy's priority bills

Q: Sir, kahapon po may ni-layout si PNoy na mga bills na gusto niyang i-prioritize. Ano sa tingin ninyo? Doable ba?

SP: Doable. In fact, kung inyong napansin sa aking opening speech, iilan din doon sa mga batas na binanggit ko, binanggit din ni Pangulong Noy. Ito naman ay dahilan sa nakaraang Kongreso, iyon ay napag-usapan na sa LEDAC at iyan ay common legislative agenda na naipasa noong nakaraang Kongreso.

Q: Sir, are you expecting better relations between the Senate and the PLLO under your leadership kasi nagkaroon ng problems...

SP: We will have better coordination. I would like to seek out a better coordination with the PLLO. Yes, noong nakaraang Congress talagang ako na halos ang nag-PLLO dito sa Senado dahil alam ko certain bills will not pass the favorable recommendation of certain departments kaya ako na mismo ang nagsasabi. Halimbawa lang, at alam ng Chairman ito, iyong mga local bills tungkol sa national roads. I openly advised the Committee Chair na baka mahirapan kasi the President set certain targets to cement all national roads at the start of his incumbency. Kung dinadagdagan natin ang national roads ay talagang hindi papayagan. Hindi lang iyon, mayroon ding certain standards na dapat sundin. Halimbawa iyong width, iyung right of way, etc. Noon, pinasa na lang namin dahil sa pakiusap ng mga congressmen. Sinabi ko rin na baka mabitin iyan.

Q: Sir, dapat po ba magkaroon ng regular LEDAC quarterly as stated in the law?

SP: Ang importante maipasa natin iyong mga napagkasunduang panukalang batas lalo na noong nakaraang Kongreso.

On the Bureau of Customs

Q: Sir, 'yung kay Biazon na nag-offer siya ng resignation...

SP: It's the most decent thing for him to do, offer his resignation but the President says he still has confidence in Commissioner Biazon. It is the most important especially in that kind of position where he must have the full confidence of the President. Tama lang iyon kasi sabi ng Pangulo, may tiwala pa rin siya kay Commissioner Biazon at ang pinaka-mportante diyan ay ang tiwala ng Pangulo sa namumuno.

Q: Sir, hindi ba medyo conflicting 'yon? May tiwala siya sa namumuno, parang mabigat 'yon sinabi niya sa SONA 'yung isang ahensiya, well, pinangalanan niya...

SP: Siguro hindi lahat ng mga bagay nako-control ni Commissioner Biazon sa Customs kaya sinabi niya na that he knows it's a very difficult job. That is the explanation.

On the committee chairmanships

Q: Sir, 'yung announcement po ng mga committees mamaya? At least 'yung mga big committees po?

SP: Nandiyan na 'yan. Maghintay na lang kayo.

On his first few days as Senate President

On the 2014 budget

SP: Sisikapin po naming na tapusin 'yung budget bago matapos ang taon kagaya po ng nakaraan. Hindi pa naming nakikita ang budget. Traditionally, nauuna naman ang House dahil sa Saligang Batas dapat doon naman mauuna.

Q: Sir, sabi ni Senator Recto magco-conduct ng parallel hearing ang Senate?

SP: Ganoon naman talaga 'yan. Yes, we conduct a parallel hearing except that as a matter of condition - and you can look at this - the House looks at it first for about a week before we start our hearings here. Ganoon naman talaga.

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