Transcript of Interview with Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the lifting of the suspension order against Senators Enrile and Estrada

SPFMD: We simply implemented the order of the Sandiganbayan insofar as the suspension of the three senators are concerned. The Sandiganbayan ordered their suspension for 90 days. The suspension of Sen. Enrile ended on Nov. 28, 2014. That of Sen. Estrada ended on Nov. 29, 2014. So in accordance with the order which we implemented, the suspensions were terminated on those days, on the end of the 90-day period.

Q: So balik na po yung kanilang privileges tulad ng sweldo?

SPFMD: Yes, their entitlements as members of the Senate have been reinstated. Well, except for the fact that they cannot vote, because voting requires physical presence.

Q: Sa pag-file ng bill, pwede na po ulit?

SPFMD: Pwede na.

Q: Sa possibility po ng pagattend po ng hearings? May possibility po ba na they request iyon?

SPFMD: That is a matter for the court and the custodian to decide.

Q: May salary na sila ulet?

SPFMD: Yes. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty afterall. We are only implementing the suspension order. So they are just back in the same situation as before their suspension.

Q: Kung gusto nila maghearing sa loob ng detention center ?

SPFMD: That is a matter for the court and the custodian to decide.

Q: About EDCA, according to Senator Miriam, pag-diminish sa legislative power yung hindi pagsubmit ng EDCA sa Senate for ratification, pero inadmit naman nila na hindi pwede icompel ang Presidente na isubmit iyon. So magpapasa daw ng resolution to express their side.

SPFMD: Well that matter of the submission or non-submission of the EDCA is based on the legal position of the Office of the President that the EDCA is only an agreement in implementation of the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty. That is the position taken by the executive branch. This is a matter which is now pending in the Supreme Court. The issue is now pending at the Supreme Court as to whether this is a treaty or this is an executive agreement which can be implemented without Senate ratification. Therefore, the matter is, we can't compel the Office of the President to submit it to us, because precisely, the issue is pending at the Supreme Court.

I urge the Supreme Court to immediately act on this. So we can be guided accordingly.

Q: Senator Miriam said that she will file a resolution expressing the disappointment of the Senate that it was not transmitted first. What are the chances of that passing?

SPFMD: I do not know. We will refer it to the appropriate committee first.