Press Release
November 29, 2017

Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the President's latest statement regarding Charter Change

SFMD: Baka siya mismo ang mag-re-revise, suggested revisions at isusumite sa proseso na nakalagay para baguhin ang ating Saligang Batas. Ang sistema ay either through a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention. Iyon lamang ang dalawang paraan para mabago ang ating Saligang Batas. Siguro ang sinasabi niya ay gagawa siya ng suggested amendments at isusumite sa proseso dahil iyon ang proseso sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas.

Q: Gaano kabigat yung suggestion na ibibigay niya sa kongreso?

SFMD: Certainly it carries weight but at the end of the day, it would be Congress that would propose amendments to the Constitution and submit it to the people for ratification.

Q: Not because he submitted it you have to take it as it is?

SFMD: No. We will debate on it. We will view it with appropriate weight especially coming from the chief executive. But amending the constitution is the responsibility of the constituent assembly or constituent convention.

Q: Ibig sabihin it will take some time?

SFMD: Certainly it will take time. Hindi mo talaga pwedeng madaliin iyan.

Q: Amendments via executive order?

SFMD: Hindi pwede. In fact kahit yung amendments by Congress would not be effective until they are ratified by the people.

Q: What about presidential decrees?

SFMD: A presidential decree today does not have the same effect as a presidential decree during the martial law days. A presidential decree, if you want to call it such, is only an executive order.

Q: Ang sabi niya he wants to give a chance daw on foundlings like Senator Poe para maging presidente?

SFMD: Senator Poe is qualified to be president. She ran and was qualified as a candidate.

Q: Hindi yata siya kumbinsido Sir?

SFMD: She ran. Her eligibility and qualifications to run as president were sustained.

Q: Kung talagang seryoso sa Cha-cha, bakit wala pa ring nasa-submit yung commission?

SFMD: When I was still chair of the Senate constitutional amendments committee, I asked the executive secretary to submit to the committee the suggested amendments by the Office of the President. Ang sabi po sa akin ay bubuo sila ng isang commission para magbigay ng suhestyon sa senado.

Yung sa kanila ay recommendatory lamang. Kung wala namang nagtutulak para baguhin, sa dami ng trabaho namin dito, hindi nabibigyan ng puwang.

Q: Hindi po niya hiningi sa inyo noong LEDAC?

SFMD: Wala akong maalaala na hiningi iyon.

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