Transcript of Ambush Interview with Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the report of the UN working group on arbitrary detention about the detention of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

SPFMD: I have not seen the report. I do not know what the basis is.

Q: Yung sa UN, yung sinasabing politically motivated po yung detention.

SPFMD: I don't know. We have our laws here. She is being tried in accordance to our laws.

Q: So the UN working group is urging the Philippine government to consider the petition for bail. Ano po yung weight noon?

SPFMD: I have not seen the report. I don't want to comment.

Q: May plano pa rin po si Senator Santiago na tumakbo for president. Nagpaparamdam na po.

SPFMD: She is certainly qualified to run for president.

Q: May formal confirmation o communication na po ba yung family ni former Senator Joker Arroyo sa Senate?

SPFMD: Walang formal confirmation, but I have directed that we fly our Philippine flag at half-mast here in the Senate. But word has reached me that ayaw ng pamilya ng any necrological services in the Senate. Wala. That's the message sent to me.

Q: So wala din pong special mass na iooffer?

SPFMD: We can always offer a special mass organized by if ever the employees of the senators, but the request of the family is that there will be no necrological services.