Transcript of Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Bangsamoro

Q: Sir, ano po 'yung reaction ninyo sa Bangsamoro...

SP: Hindi ko pa napag-aaralan pero pinirmahan na 'yung Framework Agreement at 'yun ay kailangan ang aksyon ng Kongreso para maipatupad 'yung pinagkasunduan nila. Kailangan na titingnan namin at gagawin 'yung kailangang gawin. Pero gaya ng sinabi ko noong nakaraang interview niyo sa akin, ito ay doable.

Q: Sir, anong ipapasa na remedial legislation to implement...

SP: Andoon sa Agreement 'yung Bangsamoro Basic Law. 'Yun ang umpisa. Parang 'yung Organic Act ng ARMM. 'Yun ang ibig sabihin noon.

Q: Sir, paano 'yung police forces sa Bangsamoro? Will it be under the jurisdiction of the National Police Commission pa rin?

SP: 'Yun ang pag-aaralan pa. Marami pang pag-uusapan diyan. 'Yun bang mga batas na pinapasa ng Kongreso natin ay iiral doon sa area na 'yun? At 'yung batas nila, ano ang relasyon doon sa batas na ginagawa ng Kongreso. 'Yun ang pag-aaralan ng Kongreso.

Q: So sir, ibig sabihin, matatagalan pa?

SP: Hindi natin alam kung matatagalan. Ano ba 'yung matagal? How long is matagal?

Q: Sir, who will file the measure for the Basic Law?

SP: I think it will be drafted by the people who are proposing that arrangement and they will submit their draft to the Congress.

On Sin Tax

Q: Can you get the sin tax out of the way before the budget deliberation?

SP: I do not know. It's up to the Chairman of the Committee. I'm not involved in that because that is now in the committee level. It is now being debated in the Senate.

Q: Sir, some had criticized Senator Recto's version as watered down daw. What's your stand on that?

SP: Sino bang nagsabi na watered down?

Q: The health community...

SP: Alam mo, 'yang mga nagsasalita na 'yan, mag-aral muna sila ng taxation.