Transcript of Interview of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon
After the Committee on Appointment's session

On Section 20 of CA rules

SPMFD: Under the Rules, Section 20 means that a member of the Commission can ask for deferment on the vote on a nominee. The motion is not subject to debate, until the session before sine die (June 11). The plenary session acts on committee reports that are submitted today. As of today, there are no committee reports submitted. If it was submitted, then we could have scheduled it for plenary and then Senator Santiago could have invoked Section 20 and consequently, the nomination could have been deferred to the next session. In the next session, again, no member can invoke Section 20. Assuming that the committee submitted the report today and Section 20 indeed could be invoked, the nomination can again be re-submitted on the last session day, June 11, and at the point, Section 20 can no longer be invoked. That is the rule.

There is no committee reports The members of the Committee on Labor and Social Welfare did not submit any report. When they would endorse it to the plenary is a matter for them to decide.

Q: Hindi po iyon automatic Sir na kapag may na-schedule for deliberation, dapat ma-schedule din sila for plenary?

SPMFD: On the same day? There is no such thing. In fact, the plenary will acquire jurisdiction once the committee report is submitted and it is calendared by the majority leader.

Q: So, in practice lang siya na deliberation then confirmation on the same day, but not necessary

SPMFD: That is entirely possible that there were committee approvals weeks before the committee report is submitted. If ever it was submitted on same day, there is no rule on that. It's just a practice.

Q: May letter po si Senator Santiago saying she will strongly oppose the confirmation of Sec. Soliman next week

SPMFD: We'll submit that she will strongly oppose the nomination. That will be considered by the body. There is nothing... Yes, she can oppose. The opposition will be voted upon. That's all. There is no certainty of confirmation. When the confirmation is brought on June 11, Senator Santiago can certainly oppose, but not invoke Section. But the opposition will be a subject to debate and will be voted upon.

Q: Doon na if ever mag-decide?

SPMFD: Yes.Rather than by-passing, it must be decided.