Press Release
November 23, 2011

Transcript: Ambush Interview with Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV

On Anti-Epal Bill

SAFT: In today's hearing, napag-usapan natin 'yung "Anti-Epal Bill" na tinatawag. Ngayon, nakikita natin kung ano 'yung intent ng bill, at the same time, nakikita din natin 'yung iba't ibang posisyon, not only the members of the committee (Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization), also the resource persons. Kailangan naming himayin 'yung penal provisions kasi medyo tricky 'yan, kasi mamaya niyan i-take advantage ng mga kalaban mo sa pulitika, who would put up signages with your face on it para ikaw ang makasuhan. So, kailangan natin i-safe guard.

Christian Esguerra: Sir, how soon can you come up with the committee report?

SAFT: Ahm, ito kasi, for some reason, hindi naka-attend 'yung mga local executives, so we give them time to give their position on this particular bill, then we may call for another hearing, or a technical working group.

Meanne Los Banos: Sir, basically may malamang na mabago, 'yun ba 'yung sa penal provision?

SAFT: Ah, yes. Malamang suspension lang or a lesser penalty. At the same time, idadagdag natin dito, hindi lang 'yung mga signages, pati 'yung mga ambulansya, mga fire trucks, police cars, so isasama 'yun as suggested by Senator Lacson. And, at the same time, how we could implement it, 'yun ibang sections doon, kailangang i-thresh out.

Meanne Los Banos: Sir, sino ang may karapatang magtanggal?

SAFT: Iba't iba, yung DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), mayroon silang mandate to do that according to the bill. At the same time, yung MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority). So, sila ang mga principal agencies responsible for bringing down these signages. But should this bill be enacted into law, ahm lahat ng agencies i-inform mo na. Ang DPWH, hindi na papayagan kahit mag-request 'yung mga senador, congressmen, o mayors na maglagay ng signage, hindi na papayagan. 'Yung mga police cars naman, kapag dinodate ng mayor, whoever, the PNP (Philippine National Police) will be directed to repaint or paint over their names.

Meanne Los Banos: Sir, tama po ba, ang bawal po - name and picture?

SAFT: Yes.

On Maguindanao Massacre

Meanne Los Banos: Other issues. Sir, Maguindanao Massacre, two years na siya, your thoughts on it, wala paring (inaudible).

SAFT: Ang problema nga kasi, right from the start, sinasabi ko na 'yung prosecution panel. I believe compromised ito kasi eh. Talagang their hearts are not into it. I was wondering, bakit hindi pinalitan? It's either bigyan ng malaking roles ang private prosecutors or palitan.

On Government's treatment to GMA

Christian Esguerra: Sir, comment doon sa treatment ng prosecution or ng government kay GMA?

SAFT: I believe kasi...

Christian Esguerra: Does she deserve it?

SAFT: To me, personally, it doesn't matter. As long as we can account for her presence, her physical presence, kapag arraignment na and when the case would continue, okay na sa akin 'yan. Ang nakikita ko in consideration right now of the prosecution panel, it's a political aspect. They don't want to unduly ruffle (the feathers) for that matter. They need to learn the tide of the sympathy of the people to the side of GMA, so they're very sensitive about it.

Vonne Aquino: Sir, palagay mo ba nabibigyan siya ng tamang due process?

SAFT: Oo naman, 16 months na eh. Sa akin nga ang bagal eh, 'di ba? They should've done this a year ago. Mabuti nga they were forced to do this, pero they have more than enough time. Remember, noong panahon ni President Erap Estrada, three months lang nakulong na siya. And nobody cried foul na masyadong ni-rush 'yun, no, ngayon, 16 months ito.

Christian Esguerra: How about sir, 'yung house arrest, are you in favor of that?

SAFT: Okay lang. Walang problema sa akin 'yun.

Meanne Los Banos: Is house arrest an option kapag gumaling na siya?

SAFT: 'Yun kasing precedent in the case of President Estrada, so kung ano 'yung binigay doon sa isa, 'yun din ang ibigay sa isa, that's just me ah.

Vonne Aquino: Sir, personally sir, may simpatya ka sa dating pangulo?

SAFT: Sa akin kasi ang daming problema na kinakaharap namin. Just this morning, we had a Senate hearing on the Al Barka incident so those are more important issues to me.

Vonne Aquino: So, hindi ka nakikisimpatya?

SAFT: Parang wala lang.

Meanne Los Banos: Naaawa ka ba sa kaniya?

SAFT: (Silence) No comment muna.

Media: (Laughs)

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