Press Release
February 25, 2015

Transcript of interview with Senator TG Guingona III

Q: After hearing all the comments, are you still convinced of the need for a Truth Commission?

Senator TG (STG): Yes, there is still a need for a Truth Commission--to be able to reconcile the outputs of the other bodies. Andaming mga nag-iimbestiga ngayon at I'm sure maraming findings yan, at I'm sure hindi lahat magkakatugma. So dapat mayroong isang reconciling body na magtutugma-tugma ng lahat. The other thing that we also took up is the need for speed. Somebody said 2 months, pero hindi naman realistic yun. We will really have to look for a reasonable period of time. Ang isang isinulong din kanina yung paggawa ng isang reconciling body. Long-term ito. Titingnan nito yung mga historical perspectives na nangyari dati pa. from way back 1970s and go back to the roots of the injustices on both sides, with the end in view of reconciling--so that magkaroon ng pagbubukas-loob at magkasunduan ang lahat dito.

Q: Magkakaron din ban g public hearings ang commission?

STG: That would be up to the commission. Kung sa tingin nila kailangan ng public hearing, pwede silang magtawag nun.Hindi naman tama na hindi natin bigyan ng sapat na powers ang commission na magkaron ng hearings whether public or closed door. It's their call. But I think their first mandate would be to reconcile all the findings of the different bodies.

Q: They will get the results of the other investigating bodies?

STG: Yes. That is the necessary consequence... kasi marami nang bodies ang nag-iimbestiga na more than halfway na with their findings. After they come up with the report, that would all be gathered by the Truth Commission.

Q: With the end in view of..? STG: With the end in view of justice. Justice for everyone. And then after that magkaroon ng reconciliation, and then after that magkaroon ng true and lasting peace.

Q: Paano pag magkaron na ng recommendation ng pag-file nang kaso?

STG: That will just be one part of the findings of the Truth Commission. The other would be pagbuo ng mga bodies that will promote reconciliation. Bodies that will look into the historical injustices of the past. Those things are important. Those things take time. But those can be part of the recommendation of the truth commission.

Q: Paano kung na-file na sa Ombudsman, kukunin pa ba yun or no need na?

STG: Pag ganun that would be part of the findings na since na-file na like you said. But kung hindi pa na-file, tapos me differences in the reports, the kailangan ma-reconcile. Sino mag-reconcile niyan?

Q: Di ba mag-iimbestiga rin ang Ombudsman?

STG: Ah that's purely criminal sa Ombudsman. Dito you must take into account mas malawak ang perspective. Ano pang dapat gawin natin para makuha ang layunin ng kapayapaan, na lasting peace? Before you can have peace you must have reconciliation. Filing of cases is just one aspect. The other is looking at the historical roots of the conflict. The other is understanding each side--of the cultures of each group. So malawak ito. Kelangan maraming recommendations ang Truth Commission. Dahil sa mga inputs today--kaya nga maganda pag may hearing eh. Me mga bagong ideas, at magbabago ngayon ang laman ng proposed measure.

Q: Kasama sa scope yung ibang casualties as raised kanina?

STG: Yes. Pinoint out kanina na hindi lang ang SAF ang may casualties. Meron din MILF at mga civilians. Kailangan ng hustisya para sa lahat. Tama lang naman yun.

Q: Sir si PNoy isa sya sa mga primary players...but the members will be appointed by the President, and the results will be submitted to the President. Wala po bang conflict dun?

STG: Well the results will be made available to the public. As to the appointment, we still have to look at it. I still personally believe it should be the President who will appoint, but we will take a look at the recommendations of the other groups on the nomination and appointment.

Q: Ano na po status ng bill na to?

STG: We have to make the report muna then we'll put in the changes. And then we'll file it sa plenary.

Q: Ano po timetable nyo sir?

STG: As soon as possible. By next week, or week after next.

News Latest News Feed