Transcript of Ambush Interview of Sen. Franklin M. Drilon
Monday, May 20, 2013

On the Senate Presidency

DRILON: Talaga namang kailangang magkaroon ng bagong halalan kasi bagong Kongreso ito. Ngayon, kung sino ang mapupusuan ng 13 senador siya ang magiging Pangulo.

Q: Kayo raw po iyon?

DRILON: I don't want to be presumptuous; certainly, I will wait for the will of my colleagues. Iyan po ay regalo ng 13 kasamahan natin sa Senador at hindi po natin malalaman hanggang sa pagbukas ng session kung sino ang kanilang mapupusuan.

DRILON: Yung 24 na senador ay qualified to become a president of the Senate; hindi lang po si Senator Drilon, Senator Cayetano; lahat po iyan. Hindi po natin alam kung sino ang mapupusuan ng 13 senator.

Q: Is Senator Enrile a force to contend with?

DRILON: Every senator is a force to contend with. Every one of them. Walang discussion. Walang nagaganap.

Q: Kaya raw po kayo nag-campaign manager?

DRILON: Aba nakakainsulto naman iyon. Ako'y tumulong para magkaroon ng mayorya ang Senado dahil ako ay naniniwala na kailangan ng katulong ng Pangulo para maisulong ang kanyang mga repormang inumpisahan noong 2010. Iyan po ang katotohanan.

Q: How would you describe the incoming Senate?

DRILON: They're all qualified. This will be an interesting Senate. A lot of them are very young. We will have new blood in the Senate.

Q: On Sen. Miriam's theory that Sen. Enrile will use the divide rule...?

DRILON: The 24 Senators have every right to aspire for the Senate Presidency. I am not surprised that all those theories - iyan po ay pinag-iisapan ng bawat isang Senador.

Q: Do you see the NP separating from the majority block?

DRILON: The NPs were allies during the election. I have not seen any reason why they should split from the administration at this point. I expect the NPs to continue supporting the President's agenda.