TRANSCRIPT OF KAPIHAN SA SENADO
WITH SENATOR JINGGOY ESTRADA

Recently, Justice Department said that they will expand the pork barrel probe after nung pag mention ng dalawang NABCOR officials na there are about 200 other lawmakers na nagendorse sa questionable NGO. Are you now happy dahil mukhang hindi na magiging limited lang sa inyo yung investigation?

SJEE Well, my first reaction with regard to the comment of Secretary de Lima regarding the expansion of the investigation of the alleged pork barrel scam, first of all, ang dapat ginawa ng Blue Ribbon Committee , I don't want to impose to them, ang ginawa nila dapat ay hindi lang yung kay Napoles NGOs ang inimbestigahan nila. Merong mga senador na nagsasabi na i-expand na nung araw pa yung imbestigasyon sa pork barrel scam. It came from Secretary de Lima that they are going to expand the investigation. That is most welcome to me.

Q: May resolution si Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to invite to NABCOR Officials who are now applying sa witness protection program ng Department of Justice, sa tingin niyo makakatulong ba yung pagpapatawag?

SJEE Bring it on.

Q: But still you will not attend?

SJEE No. What for? I do not have any intentions to attend any Blue Ribbon Committee hearing with regard to the PDAF scam.

Q: Sir, do you know Rhodora Mendoza?

SJEE I don't know them. Hindi ko kilala yung Rhodora Mendoza saka yung si Cacal. I haven't met them.

Q: But the name of former Senator Edgardo Angara is also mentioned, so sa tingin niyo ba dapat din i-consider ng Blue Ribbon Committee yung pagpapatawag sa kanya?

SJEE That's the call of Senator Angara. I think naman he can defend himself.

Q: Sir, si Senator Chiz Escudero said yun daw DOJ and Ombudsman ay too slow and undecisive pagdating sa who to charge and who to regard as state witness . Do you share the same view?

SJEE Base sa pagkakaalam ko, yung mga pinipili ng DOJ, base nga rin sa aking privilege speech ay kung sinu sino lang ang kinukuha para maging state witness kahit provisional state witness dahil sa pagkakaalam ko mahina pa rin yung kasong i-finile nila laban sa akin o sa amin sa Ombudsman kaya kahit sinong mga stray cats o mga askals ay kinukuha nila bilang mga state witnesses.

Q: Sir, sabi niyo askal? Why askal?

SJEE Diba mga askal? Parang mga stray cats or stray dogs diba? Mga naliligaw. Walang ibig sabihin yun, a.

Q: After nung inyong privilege speech, sumagot yung lawyer ni Ms. Ruby Tuason and according to him, yung client niya is capable enough na bumili ng mansion dahil napakalaki ng insurance na nakuha niya from her husband equivalent to 85 million pesos.

SJEE That house is more than Php 100 million or even Php 200 million. Even the furnitures are first class. May swimming pool. I've been there. Kita ko gaano kalaki yung bahay ni Mrs. Tuason sa Dasmarinas.

Q: Naniniwala kayong Malampaya mansion pa rin yun?

SJEE Oo.

Q: Sino kasama ninyo nung makapunta kayo sa bahay ni Mrs. Tuason?

SJEE An incumbent senator. Hindi siya senador dati pero ngayon Senador na.

Q: Neophyte? JV?

SJEE Hindi.

Q: Nancy Binay?

SJEE Basta neophyte. Let's not drag her or him in the issue.

Q: Bakit kayo nagpunta nun ng incumbent Senator?

SJEE We were invited for a dinner. Tatlo lang kami.

Q: Sir, kelan ito?

SJEE During the campaign of 2013.

Q: Would you know kung nagbigay din siya ng donation si Mrs. Ruby Tuason?

Wala lang, dinner lang. Papakita 'yong bahay niya kasi he wasn't able to attend the blessing of the house so she invited us to dinner.

Sir, bakit itong specific unnamed senator...

SJEE Friend niya..

May dealing din kaya...

SJEE I don't know. He or she is just a neophyte senator.

Sir, before May 2013 elections daw yan?

SJEE OO. There's nothing wrong if you have dinner, ha. Wala naman masama doon eh. Hindi naman porket nag dinner may dealings na.

Sir, matter of fact lang, kung nandoon siya sa dinner, kung walang masama...

SJEE Siguro pinapakita lang niya 'yong mansion niya na bahay...

Sir, kelan ba binili 'yong mansion? Bat kayo hindi nag attend 'yong blessing?

SJEE Hindi ko alam eh. Siguro mga 2010 or 2011. I am not sure.

So, walang nagpagusapan ng election?

SJEE Well, nagpagusapan naming 'yong campaign kasi I was not a candidate naman at that time. So, nagpapausapan namin 'yung campanya ng 2013.

Pero wala siya offer na-magbibigay donations sa mga kandidato?

SJEE Wala. Basta makalapit sila.

(inaudible)

SJEE Anong negosyo? Di ko alam basta nag dinner lang kami dalawa with todo waiter pa.

Sir, ma-identify lang if the senator is with the majority or minority block?

SJEE Huwag na...Isang clue lang ha? O, sige majority.

Majority? Sen. Grace P?

SJEE I don't know...Ok game, next question...

Sir, sa inyo tatlo, paglabas 'yong committee report, sabi n'yo daw hindi kayo bibigay ng anything. Bat 'yong ang decision mo:

SJEE 'Yun ang decision ng abogado ko. Unang-una, let them come out with the committee report.

Bakit Sir, kahit 'yong counter-affidavit mo ayaw mo i-comment?

SJEE 'Yong counter-affidavit is already public property. They can request for it at the Office of the Ombudsman. What for? Ginawa lang nila circus 'yong hearing committee. I don't want to be a part of it.

'Yong sa senator lang po ngayon. May nakita ba siya biases?

SJEE Ay, wala naman.

Kinuestion niya si Mrs. Tuazon...

SJEE Di ko na matandaan.

Sino 'yong senador, Sir, nag pa-participate ba sa Blue Ribbon hearings?

SJEE Ilang hearings actually.

Sir, Sen. Peter Alan Cayetano is now asking Blue Ribbon Committee chairman TG Guingona for a partial report then to start to investigate the Malampaya fund scam. Do you it?

SJEE That is the call of Sen. Guingona whether he will issue a partial report of the committee. Ako, I do not care if he releases a partial report.

Sir, sinasabi n'yo nagagamit nalang 'yong hearing para ...

SJEE Totoo naman. Para sa akin, mag labas na lang sila ng committee report para isang bagsakan na lang.

Not partial?

SJEE Kung partial, di ko alam anong ilalagay nila sa partial. Maya guilty na kami tatlo, hindi natin alam.

Sir, paano yan pag lalabas ng committee report? di ba kayo member kayo ng Blue Ribbon Committee?

SJEE I will leave it of course.

...it doesn't matter. The real battle is in the court. Hindi naman husgado yung Blue Ribbon Committee.

Baka it's for the public?

SJEE That's for media purposes.

But what if your own colleagues recommend charges against you?

SJEE Well, bahala na ang Ombudsman at Sandiganbayan. We will face them in court.

Hindi po ninyo kukwestyunin kung magiging ganoon yung Committee Report?

SJEE Well, if majority signs the Committee Report then we cannot do anything.

Pero sir pagdating sa Plenary, i-aapprove pa yan?

SJEE Depende. Oo, pero kung ano yung kinalabasan ng Committee Report, I might comment on it.

Ineexpect niyo po ba na magiging fair ang Committee Report?

SJEE Well, was it fair when they conducted hearings before? Was it fair when the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee already made a conclusion? Was it fair for other senators to use that forum at our own expense? You be the judge.

So ineexpect nyo na na hindi magiging fair?

SJEE That hearing was supposed to be in aid of legislation but what happened was that it is in aid of 2016 elections.

(Inaudible)

SJEE Para sa akin, it's so shallow.

They were saying that they will reveal before the inquiry the identity of the two officials?

SJEE If they will be invited by the Blue Ribbon Committee, it's okay with me. That's the call of Senator Guingona. I've always been inhibiting myself sa the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing para maging safe.

Sir, posibleng nagagamit daw 'yong ilan NBI para...

SJEE There are reports to that effect na nagagamit 'yong mga NBI 'yong mga whistle blowers..disgruntled, na nakakagulo na daw sa loob...hindi ko alam. Those are unconfirmed reports.

If ever umattend sila dito sa Senate, kung sino mapiga...

SJEE Sino mapipiga sa kanila? 'Yong ba mga ibang senador? ...

On the reported selective investigation. (Iinaudible) concentrate on the accusation and not the allies of the President...

SJEE 'Yung ba sasabihin nila? Well, they have to reveal the truth in the hearings kung saka-sakali but again, even though they attend or even those they get invited by the committee, I will not attend the hearings.

Pero, Sir, hindi kayo mag-initiate para tatawag sina (inaudible) and Esmeralda?

SJEE Hindi na. Let them write the Blue Ribbon Committee and let the chairman invite them.

Ok, any related questions about the pork barrel?

SJEE Hindi pa ba kayo nagsasawa sa pork?

Sir, dapat ba tatawag din mga journalists na pangalanan, na di umano natangap checks sa Nabcor? Do you think that is relevant to the investigation?

SJEE Kung ako ang tatanunging, dapat patawag ng Blue Ribbon but then again I do not want to impose. I don't want to meddle in the decision of the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Bakit ipapatawag?

SJEE According to reports, may lumalabas sa dyaryo may tumanggap daw din sila ng pera na galling sa (inaudible) siyempre public funds 'yan eh. Para malaman natin 'yong buong katotohanan. Now, if they do not want, they can have their day in Court.

Sa tingin n'yo, i-invite lang or papatawag kasi sabi ni Sen. Chiz kung i-invite pwede mag refuse mga media doon, kung papatawag ino-obliga na haharap mga media sa Blue Ribbon.

SJEE Ang sistema naman sa mga hearings, you invite first. Pagka-hindi sumipot, tsaka mo isusubpoena. Sa unang invitation, if they do not want to go, kailangan may sulat sila galing sa abogado nila to explain why they are absent in the hearings. Pagkatapos noon, pag hindi pa sila sumipot, isusubpoena na ng Blue Ribbon.

Recently, your brother Senator JV said that he is willing to help you sa 2016. Kinausap daw po siya ni VP Binay at magiging active siya sa 2016 dahil pina-oorganize sa kanya yung mga local candidates? Ano po ang plano mo sa 2016?

SJEE Magpapasalamat naman ako sa kanya.

Nag-usap na po kayo ni VP Binay tungkol sa party, kung ano ang gagawin?

SJEE Hindi pa. With regards to the party, yung itatayo niyang partido, wala pa kaming pinag-usapan. Again, my offer still stands. If he opts not to put up a new political party, the presidency of the PMP is readily available for him.

Hindi po kinunsulta ang mga taga UNA doon sa ila-launch niya na bagong political party?

SJEE I just read it in the papers. I have already talked with the Secretary General, si Congressman Toby, with regard to the forming of a new political party, of course to be under the UNA organization.

Senator Alan recently said that he cannot understand why VP Binay is considering as tandem one who is involved in the pork barrel scam.

SJEE Ako? Alam mo, kaming nasa oposisyon, nasa kabilang partido, sana wala na lang nakikialam na taga labas dahil hindi naman siya kasama sa amin. Wala naman siyang bilang sa amin. Huwag na siya makikialam sa desisyon namin, sa desisyon ni Vice President. Tumakbo na lang siya, huwag na lang niyang banggitin ng banggitin ng banggitin ang pangalan ni Vice, tumakbo na lang siya.

Hindi pa rin kayo okay?

SJEE Okay lang. Kinamayan ko naman siya after the interpellation. Ako, sincere.

Just in case mag-decide kayong tumakbo for vice presidential elections, sino sa tingin ninyo ang mabibigat na magiging kalaban ninyo?

SJEE I do not know, I haven't declared my intention yet for 2016. Let us just cross the bridge when we get there.

Pero sir kahit wala pa yung bagong political party, sure na yun to merge with PMP?

SJEE Yes, definitely.

Kailan po kayo Magdedecide?

SJEE Depende. Of course, I am not a hypocrite to tell you that I am not affected by these issues hounding me. Syempre, we will have to weigh everything.

Pero syempre national elections yan, preparation usually takes two years?

SJEE Hindi naman. I have been making the rounds already, all over the country and the reception is still warm. Nothing has changed.

Pero yung balitang Manila mayor malabo yun?

SJEE Hindi. Pwede. Sa Manila City Jail pagka nakulong, mayor ang tawag doon. Joke lang. Impossible.

Paano po ninyo nagagawa yung mga pang-araw-araw na gawain ninyo as Senator, as father? Kamusta po kayo ngayon?

SJEE Ako, madalas din ako sa bahay. I spend more time with my family. Minsan, I don't read the newspapers anymore kasi laging nandoon yung pangalan ko, headline lagi, so pag meron akong free time, I accept invitations out of town. That makes me busy.

Naka-apekto po itong issue na ito sa normal routine mo?

SJEE Of course. I must admit, from when this came out, inaraw-araw kami sa diyaryo, halos isang buwan, dalawang buwan, headline lagi. Syempre, I was hesitant to go out especially here in Metro Manila. Sa Senate obligado ako dahil meron akong trabaho, pero syempre di mo malaman magiging reaksiyon ng taong bayan sa iyo pagka-nakita ka sa labas, so ako, umiiwas muna ako. I seldom go to parties, minsan nire-reject ko na yung mga imbitasyon para sa akin. After a few months, inisip ko rin na bakit ako magkukulong sa bahay? I have to test the waters.

On 2016 elections.

Sir national elections iyan, ang preparations usually it takes two years.

SJEE: Hindi naman, I have been making the rounds already all over the country. The reception is still warm. Nothing has changed.

Iyong Manila mayor malayo iyon?

SJEE: Pwede sa Manila City Jail. Mayor ang tawag doon. (laughs) Joke lang. Hindi. Impossible.

Sabi niyo hindi naman kayo ipokrito para sabihin na hindi naman kayo apektado. Paano niyo po nagagawa ang araw-araw na gawain niyo? Kumusta po kayo ngayon?

SJEE: Ako, madalas ako ngayon sa bahay. I spend more time with my family. Minsan I don't read the newspapers anymore kasi laging nandoon ang pangalan ko, headline palagi. So, kapag mayroon akong free time, I accept invitations out of town. It makes me busy.

Ang issue na ito naka-epekto sa normal routine mo? May mga nagbago ba?

SJEE: Of course, siyempre. I must admit when this came out, inaraw-araw kami sa diyaryo, halos isang buwan, dalawang buwan, headline lagi. Siyempre I was hesitant to go out especially here in Manila. Sa Senate obligado ako dahil mayroon akong trabaho. Pero hindi mo malaman ang magiging reaksyon ng taumbayan sa iyo, kapag nakikita ka sa labas. Ako umiiwas muna ako. I seldom go to parties. Minsan nire-reject ko na ang mga imbitasyon para sa akin. After a few days, or a few months, inisip ko rin na bakit ako magkukulong ako sa bahay? I have to test the waters. Ang ginawa ko, I went out of my way to go to the provinces to accept invitation, go out, meddle with people. Wala naman ding nabago. The reception of the people towards me is warmer than before.

Sa pag-iikot niyo sa mga probinsya, this is a non-issue?

SJEE: Wala. It's a non-issue. I have to explain to them.

Isn't that enough reason for you to set your eyes on 2016?

SJEE: Hindi pa.

Ano pa ang hinihintay niyo?

SJEE: The party's decision, of course. The decision of the Vice President, of our future standard bearer.

Sa mga initial surveys, kasama ba kayo doon?

SJEE: Hindi ko alam. Hindi naman ako nagpaa-survey.

May mga ilang surveys daw na confidential pa yata? May nakarating na sa inyo?

SJEE: Hindi ko alam. I do not have any idea.

Hinihintay pa ang party's decision, pero kung kayo lang, do you think you have enough support and machinery para mag-launch ng national campaign?

SJEE: Modesty aside, I think so.

Sir, naka-ikot na rin ba kayo sa Metro Manila? Kumusta ang reception sa inyo, ganoon pa rin ba?

SJEE: Sa San Juan, oo. Tsaka sa City of Manila.

Kung i-offer sa inyo ni VP Binay, game na?

SJEE: Most likely, kung i-offer. Kung io-offer. Kung hindi, wala tayong magagawa.

Hindi niyo io-offer ang sarili niyo?

SJEE: Hindi ako ganoon.

Pero open ka ba sa ibang presidentiable o kay VP Binay lang?

SJEE: Ah hindi. Kay Vice President lang.

Kung hindi kayo tatakbong VP, hindi ba graduate na kayo sa 2016 sa Senate, ano ang plan B niyo?

SJEE: Wala. Private citizen.

Was there ever a time that you felt you were ostracized?

SJEE: No, in fairness no. Wala.

Kung ganoon (mas mainit) ang reception, nagpapalakas ng loob niyo iyon para sa 2016?

SJEE: Of course definitely.

On the netizens and online libel.

Isa kayo sa mga pinaka-binatikos ng mga netizens online. What do you intend to do about it? I heard na may ilang senador at politician na nag-file ng mga cases sa SC against these netizens?

SJEE: Nothing dahil hindi naman ako marunong mag-ganoon. Basta I will not do anything. I will leave it to the Supreme Court to decide on the matter. I will not do nanything about it.

On statements of Sen. Osmeña.

Reaksyon niyo sa statement ni Sen. Osmeña, na "ampaw," "awful manager," at pagsibak sa "non-performing assets?"

SJEE: I beg your indulgence but I really do not want to comment on the issues raised by Sen. Osmeña against the President.

It means satisfied ka sa performance?

SJEE: Wala akong sinasabi. Basta I do not want to comment on the issues raised by Sen. Osmeña against the President.

Wala kayong sama ng loob kay President Aquino?

SJEE: Wala naman. Wala talaga.

Nag-uusap kayo?

SJEE: Sometimes. But we never discuss the PDAF scam.

On COA Chair Grace Pulido Tan as Supreme Court Justice.

Magre-retire na po si SC Justice Abad, at isa sa nominees for his post ay si COA Chair Grace Pulido Tan? Do you think she's qualified?

SJEE: Oh my God. Wala na bang iba? Is she applying for the position? Is she being considered? Naging RTC judge na ba siya? May experience ba iyon?

May right ang kahit sinong individual na mag-oppose sa mga nominees? Will you oppose?

SJEE: Hindi ko naman gawain iyon.

Hindi niyo nakikitang deserving...

SJEE: Marami namang mas deserving.

Do you fear that there is a possibility that she will be appointed by the President, just like what happened to Justices Peralta and de Castro who were rewarded after you father was convicted..

SJEE: Well, lahat naman iyan dumadaan sa proseso. May proseso naman tayong sinusunod.

Kahit dumaan sa proseso, the final say would come from the president?

SJEE: Of course. Iyong decision ultimately lies with the President.

You don't see her as qualified because? Lawyer naman siya...

SJEE: I think she lacks experience. Nag-litigate na ba siya? Was she active when passed the bar? Palagay ko panay corporate work siya eh. Nothing personal. Tinitingnan lang natin ang qualifications ng tao. Kung qualified, why not?

SJEE: Mabalikan ko iyong sinabi mo tungkol kay [COA Chair Grace Tan], ang mga qualifications sa pagiging Supreme Court Justice, dapat mayroong 15 years experience sa RTC or sa lower court tsaka dapat engaged sa practice of law.

Hindi siya qualified?

SJEE: I don't think so.

Hihilingin niyo sa senator-members ng JBC na i-scrutinize ng husto ang background ni Tan?

SJEE: Palagay ko naman automatic naman iyon, kahit hindi na sabihin, they will scrutinize everybody, all the applicants.

On the Reproductive Health Law.

Hindi ba you voted against the Reproductive Health Law?

SJEE: I voted against.

May mga panawagan ngayon na mag-decide na ang Supreme Court. It's about time na mag-rule kasi more than half year na may TRO sa implementation?

SJEE: I think it's about time for the Supreme Court to on the case of the Reproductive Health Law.

Ang mga pro-RH, maraming services ang nade-deprive daw sa public dahil sa TRO?

SJEE: Siguro give them a month or two, baka maglabas na sila ng desisyon.

On relief goods for Yolands victims.

Sa mga nabubulok na relief goods para sa victims ng Yolanda? Should somebody be held liable for that?

SJEE: I hope Sen. Lacson will investigate iyong mga nabubulok na mga relief goods na naka-store yata sa Palo, Leyte.

Nabasa daw kasi. On Sec. Dinky Soliman.

SJEE: Command responsibility niya iyon. Hindi niya alam na maraming naka-store na relief goods doon sa Leyte? Hindi ba dine-direstso sa DSWD iyon? Command responsibility niya iyon. She must be held liable for those rotten relief goods na dapat ay napakinabangan na ng mga nabiktima ng Yolanda. Bakit ang dami-dami pang naka-stock doon? Sila ang may kasalanan doon.

According to Sen. Lacson hindi daw covered ng kanyang mandate pagdating sa relief?

SJEE: Pero sana imbestigahan na niya rin.

Hindi rin kayo satisfied? Sobrang mabagal ba ang ginagawang rehabilitation?

SJEE: Nakita mo naman, may mga bali-balita na maraming nabulok na relief goods na dapat pinakinabangan na ng mga biktima. Unang-una makikita mo rito na walang sistema ang DSWD. Ibig mong sabihin, ini-store lang doon nang hindi nalalaman ng mga opsiyales ng DSWD? Kanino ba tinurn-over iyon, hindi ba sa kanila? Sila lang naman ang agency na pwedeng tumanggap ng mga relief goods o DND. Palagay ko sa DSWD iyon. Ibig mong sabihin hindi nila alam?

Tama bang sabihin na may kasalanan ang LGU?

SJEE Hindi. Bakit nila sisisihin ang LGU? Sila ang dapat mamigay sa mga LGU dahil national agency iyan eh.

Sino ang dapat mag-investigate?

SJEE Sana si Sen. Lacson na ang mag-imbestiga kung bakit may mga naiwan na rotten goods sa isang warehouse.

What about DSWD?

SJEE Ang sabi ko nga, I think she should be held liable for that. Dahil siya ang head ng agency. Sa kanya dumaan iyon. Imposibleng hindi niya alam. Maraming mga congressman dahil at the height of the storm at natapos ang storm maraming mga congressman ang humihingi ng mga goods kay Sec. Soliman, wala siyang mabigay. Iyon pala, pinabulok niya sa storage. Alam ko iyon, dahil minsan andoon ako sa Leyte eh. Walang maibigay ang DSWD, iyon pala na-discover maraming naiwan na nabulok na.

Iyong oversight committee, dapat magkaroon na assessment para makita kung ano ang mga palpak sa sistema, kung nagagamit nang tama ang pondo?

SJEE Oo. Pero ako, ang dapat talagang sisihan diyan sa naiwang mga goods na nabulok ay DSWD. Wala nang iba. Unless hindi sa kanila tinurn-over iyon, sa ibang departamento pero sa akin sila lang naman ang tumanggap noon eh. Kanino pa dapat idaan iyon?

Who should establish the possible liability of Sec. Soliman?

SJEE Somebody must investigate that case. Sen. Lacson siya ang in-appoint ni Presidente Aquino, Sana i-expand ni Sen. Lacson. Sino pa ang mag-iimbestiga?

Kapag napatunayan na may kapabayaan ang DSWD, dapat siyang mag-resign?

SJEE Hindi naman, pa-imbestigahan muna natin. It's too early to call for her resignation.

Hindi ba pwede sa Senate?

SJEE Pwede rin.

Will you initiate the investigation?

SJEE Kapag nag-resume na tayo.

On US access to PH military bases.

Hindi ba ang father niyo ay isa sa naging active sa pagsasara ng base militar noong Senador siya? May pinasok na agreement ang PH government para bigyan ng access ang tropa ng Kano sa atign military bases. Ano ang stand niyo doon sir, to increase to rotational presence daw?

SJEE Hindi ko pa nakikita o nababasa ang anumang agreement between our government and the US government. I still have to read and analyze the situation.

On pork barrel scam.

Handa na po ba kayo sakaling maglabas na ang Ombudsman ng results ng investigation at i-elevate na sa Sandiganbayan? May ginagawa ba kayong paghahanda?

SJEE We're ready. My lawyers are aware of it, are aware of the situation. They know what to do.

Considering na non-bailable ang plunder, handa na ba kayo?

SJEE Hindi natin alam. I really do not know what charges they are going to file before the Sandiganbayan, anong information ang ipa-file nila sa Sandiganbayan. We're not yet sure. Kasi as far as we're concerned, wala talagang kaso, mahina ang kaso laban sa amin.

May info ka ba kung malapit nang magpalabas ng decision ang Ombudsman?

SJEE I do not know honestly.

Your expectations, given the circumstances?

SJEE Yes, I am expecting worst because of the trial by publicity, the publicity generated by this so-called scam, baka bumigay sila. Secondly, I will have to ask the counter affidavit of the other respondents, like sina Ruby Tuason, sina Cunanan, etc.

Tiwala ba kayo na fair si Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales?

SJEE I hope so.

Nabanggit ni COA Chair Tan last Monday na next nilang kakasuhan ang may mga unliquidated cash advances, most likely it will come from same people sa PDAF scam. Are you aware if your office has any unliquidated cash advances with COA?

SJEE Mayroon akong tinanggap na notice of disallowance, pero unliquidated cash advance, wala.

Kasama ba doon si Dennis Cunanan, hindi po ba sinabi niyo na may unliquidated cash advances siya?

SJEE Oo, gusto mo ipakita ko ang dokumento? Mayroon siyang unliquidated cash advance ng 4.6 million pesos si Cunanan.

On Senate leadership.

As Senate President Pro Tempore, paano ie-evaluate ang performance ng Senate leadership ngayon?

SJEE Mahirap mag-compare lest I will be accused of being biased.

Mas marami ba kayong naipapasang bills noon?

SJEE The records will speak for itself. Iyong leadership ni Sen. Enrile tingnan niyo na lang ang mga records.