Press Release
July 25, 2017

Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon

On his reaction to the 2nd SONA

Drilon: I wished the SONA had included policies, which are designed to generate jobs. Trabaho po ang importante dahilan sa marami sa ating mga kababayan ang walang trabaho, at wala akong narinig tungkol sa mga paraan para lumago ang trabaho sa ating bansa; at ang pagtaas ng presyo, I think for the last three quarters, yung inflation ay mataas, I think at 3 ½ percent. Once we approve the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), the version being proposed, we are afraid that inflation will get worse.

The job generation should involve the issue on the ENDO, ano na ba ang nangyari? Mukhang end na, wala pa kaming nariring.

I also would have wanted to hear the reforms in our justice system. one of the reasons I suspect why there is lack of strong indignation over extra-judicial killings is because of the frustration of the public, and even our law enforcement officers, in our system of justice. Talagang mabagal. Halimbawa, ilan ba ang pending na kaso sa Department of Justice. Tumatagal ang kaso sa husgado. We have to have reforms in our justice system, in our investigation pillar, in our detention policies, in our court pillar. To me, this is one area that should be addressed.

On the tax reform, the minority cannot allow a full version?

Drilon: That's correct. We will examine it closely with particular reference to the excise tax on fuel, because this has the greatest inflationary effect.

Sa death penalty, mukhang may marching order ang pangulo?

Drilon: Insofar as the death penalty, the minority has taken the position that it is opposed to it. Let the majority work on it. If those are the orders of the president, I assume that is the burden of the majority. Insofar as the minority is concerned, we are opposed to it. My reading is that there are not enough votes.

On the tax issues, aside from fuel, ano po yung hindi pwedeng ibigay?

Drilon: I suppose the rates of the tax being proposed.

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