Transcript of ANC interview with Sen. Chiz Escudero

KAREN DAVILA: On Hot Copy this morning, after serving two consecutive terms in the Senate; Senator Chiz Escudero is on his way out and he's set to take on a new post as Sorsogon governor. He (Escudero) is in the studio today. Senator Chiz Escudero, thank you for coming and let me say, incoming Sorsogon Governor Chiz.

SENATOR FRANCIS ESCUDERO: Maraming salamat, Karen at magandang umaga. Sa ating mga tagapanood, good morning.

DAVILA: But before we talked about your new role, let's talk about everything that's happening in the Senate. Big news this morning is the amendments to the sin tax. Okay, what is the final word in the Senate and when it will be transmitted to the House?

ESCUDERO: Third reading na iyan sa Senado, ipapadala iyan ngayong araw sa Kamara at inaasahan namin na i-a-adapt iyan ng Kamara. Bagaman may mga isyu pa na kailangan nilang tanggapin at resolbahin dahil malayo ang bersyon, Karen, ng Senado sa Kamara. Sa Kamara, ang ginawa nilang increase ay mahigit dalawang piso lamang.

DAVILA: Yeah. From 35 to 37 pesos?

ESCUDERO: Actually, 2.50 (pesos). Ang increase ng Senado ay 30 piso sa unang bagsak. Unang bagsak pa lang, pataas iyon hanggang sa kulang-kulang mahigit 50 pesos. Ang House, may version din na isinasama ang alak o inumin; ang Senado ay wala.

DAVILA: Okay, I want to ask you, Senator. Do you think that the Senate version will be approve in the House? Do you think that will--

ESCUDERO: Wala nang ibang tyansa o pagkakataon para baguhin pa nila iyon. Ang choice nila ay basically 'take it' or 'leave it' dahil sa iisang araw na lamang ang sesyon ng Senado at Kongreso. Wala nang sesyon bukas dahil holiday bukas at huling araw na rin. So, karamihan ng ipinapasa ngayon ng Kamara at ng Senado ay dapat tanggapin na lamang ng magkabilang Kamara. Wala nang panahon ng bicameral conference committee.

DAVILA: But how will the House accept or reject it?

ESCUDERO: Sa layo na lamang ng ipinasang bersyon. Dalawang mahigit dalawang piso kumpara sa 30 piso. May probisyon din ang Senado, Karen, na nagsasabing hindi na susundin iyong makalumang batas na nagsasabing may parte o share pa rin iyong tobacco producing provinces sa anumang buwis na ipinapataw sa sigarilyo. Lahat ng pondong malilikom dito, ilalagay na talaga sa pagpondo ng Universal Health Care Act.

DAVILA: Just because the Senate has adapted this very aggressive increase in the sin tax, hindi ibig sabihin nito that the House will do the same. Ang tanong, how do you fund the Universal Health Care if the number don't match, Senator?

ESCUDERO: From the funds of government itself. The government has a lot of sources and funding. Among them are previous taxes, fees, collections and of course, borrowings. For every year, for example, for the past three years, the government has borrowed between 2- 2 hundred billion pesos to fund its appropriations; which includes, among others, the Universal Health Care.

DAVILA: Senator, looking at the lobby at the Lower House, do you honestly think they'll take the Senate version of the increase or no?

ESCUDERO: May tsansa, Karen, dahil suportado ng napakalaking mayorya si Pangulong Duterte sa Kamara. Na-certify ito ni Pangulong Duterte at dagdag pa doon, Karen, sa pag-adapt ng anumang bicameral conference committee report; 'ayes' and 'noes' lamang ang boto diyan. Hindi iyan pagbobotohan ng roll call vote, puwedeng magtalumpati pa. Nasa bilis na 'ika nga ng pagpukpok ng martilyo ng nakaupong speakers sa anumang panahon na ipasok iyan.

DAVILA: That's it? It's just who screams louder?

ESCUDERO: Yes, all those in favor.

DAVILA: Oo, iyon lamang iyon.

ESCUDERO: Louder- ibig sabihin mas malapit sa mic, Karen. (laughs)

DAVILA: Alright. Moving on, we'll see that later. It's going to be transmitted to the House today?

ESCUDERO: This morning.

DAVILA: We're going to see if the version in the Senate will be the same version that's passed. If it's not, what will happen, Senator?

ESCUDERO: It's a different version, Karen, and definitely they passed the different version. The only option, as I said, Is that the House is to either accept it.

DAVILA: What happens if they don't accept the Senate version?

ESCUDERO: Then they start at square one at the next Congress.

DAVILA: I see. So, there is a chance it won't passed--

ESCUDERO: -- if the House does not accept the Senate version, again, they start at square one in the new Congress.

DAVILA: Okay, speaking of the new Congress. What's happening to this Congress, as this Congress closes first? Let's run that videos of what's happen yesterday. We have Senator Cynthia Villar, I mean speaking to Senator Manny Pacquiao and Koko Pimentel. What is all that about na sinabi niya, "alam ninyo problema ninyo ito sa PDP-Laban, partido ninyo. Huwag ninyo ako isali dito." Senator Chiz, ano ba talaga iyon?

ESCUDERO: Iyong mungkahi na tumakbo; maging Senate President sa susunod na Kongreso si Senator Villar ay nagmula kay Senator-elect Tolentino na miyembro ng PDP-Laban at marahil dahil sa usaping iyon, nagpapirma si Senator Pacquiao sa mga miyembro ng Senado ng paghayag ng suporta kay Senator Tito Sotto bilang Senate President.

DAVILA: Is that right?

ESCUDERO: Sa pananaw ko ay hindi dahil sa isa ako sa labing apat na pumirma. Isa rin si Senator Legarda, si Senator Gringo na bahagi na nang kasalukuyang Kongreso at hindi lang sa susunod na Kongreso. Kaya ang hugot marahil ni Senator Villar ay nanggaling mismo sa miyembro ng PDP-Laban ang mungkahi na ako ay tumakbo tapos ay magpapapirma kayo bigla tungkol sa pagsuporta kay Senator Sotto, ayusin ninyo ang problema ninyo. Huwag ninyo ako idamay. Iyon ang hugot marahil niya.

DAVILA: What did Senator Cynthia mean, 'ayusin ninyo ang problema ninyo?'

ESCUDERO: Dahil si Senator Francis Tolentino at Manny Pacquaio ay miyembro ng PDP-Laban. Senator Koko ang pangulo ng PDP-Laban. So, kung sila ay sumusuporta kay Senate President Tito Sotto, dapat pasunurin nila ang kanilang mga miyembro 'ika nga, huwag idawit o idamay ang kaniyang pangalan.

DAVILA: Technically, what you're saying- this is interesting- incoming Senator Francis Tolentino, who is a member of PDP-Laban, wants Cynthia Villar to take the chance to become Senate President but she's NP?

ESCUDERO: Yes.

DAVILA: That's what she meant na 'ayusin ninyo ang problema ninyo.' Why would Tolentino want her to challenge Sotto?

ESCUDERO: Hindi ko alam at hindi ko napanood ang kaniyang interview, Karen. Siguro, bilang bagong halal na senador, maraming tanong na ibinabato sa kanya ng sabay sabay. Marahil ay nagbibigay lamang siya ng opinyon at hindi naman talaga niya seryosong ipinapanukala iyon. Siguro nasubo lamang din ang tanong sa kanya at iyon ang lumabas sa kanyang mga bibig. Maganda sigurong manggaling mismo sa kanya kapag siya ay nandoon na.

DAVILA: Senator, in choosing a Senate President, I mean frankly speaking, does Senator Pacquiao's manifesto of support- considering three of you are leaving and you signed- does this honestly hold water? Iyong mga papasok na mga senador, they can't initiate a change in leadership at the opening of the next Congress?

ESCUDERO: Karen, sa dalawampu't isang taon ko sa Kongreso- siyam sa Kamara at labing dalawa sa Senado- napakaaga ang anumang usapin kaugnay sa liderato ng Senado o ng Kamara. Nakita ko nang nangyaring isa o dalawang araw bago magbukas ang Kongreso ay doon pa lamang nagkakaroon ng pagpapasya ang mas nakararaming senador at miyembro ng Kamara. So, anumang pormahan ngayon, whatever surmises you see now; whatever posturing you see now, this are simply too early, to my mind.

DAVILA: Okay, that's quite interesting but with the number of PDP-Laban, HnP - I am curious, will it change the landscape in the Senate?

ESCUDERO: Usually, the Senate does not always vote along party lines. For example, the most poignant example would be historically- when the late Senate President Ernesto Maceda became Senate President- he was the lone member of his party; NPC. When Senator Enrile became Senate President- there were only two of them, namely himself and Senator Jinggoy. There were more LP, NP, NPC. So, it does not usually- it does not necessarily follow a party lines.

DAVILA: So, is it fair to say, Senate President Tito Sotto's hold of the presidency is not yet secure?

ESCUDERO: Let me put it this way, there's a very good chance of getting it--

DAVILA: --of retaining it.

ESCUDERO: - of retaining it, Karen. He enjoys the support of the majority of the Senators who will remain and also the support of majority of senators who got reelected. If not, all of them. And add to that, his unwavering support to the administration of President Duterte. And the last thing Karen, the administration of President Duterte would not want a split Senate. Meaning, a Senate with a big chunk of minority members not supporting his advocacies and legislative agenda. It is in the interest of the administration of President Duterte to hold a wide margin- both in the House and in the Senate.

DAVILA: What's so interesting is the committee chairmanships. It's been in the news for many days. We have Senator Cynthia saying na gusto ko lang parang masiguro iyong kay Imee and Pia. I am presuming it is committee related. Kasi, she mentioned Imee and Pia. Okay, you are the chairperson right now of Education committee?

ESCUDERO: --and Banks committee.

DAVILA: But apparently the Education committee is up for grabs and it seems that reelectionist wanted it badly. You have Sherwin already saying on Headstart, 'I want it.' I did hear from sources that Joel Villanueva is running also for 2022, wants it. But Pia Cayetano who's just been reelected- ' I want it!'

ESCUDERO: That will not be the first time, Karen. If there's a committee that two, three or four or even more members want to be its head, it's usually settled by the majority in a caucus.

DAVILA: Do you mean the incoming majority?

ESCUDERO: Yes.

DAVILA: It's not this majority now?

ESCUDERO: No. If they cannot arrive at the consensus; if the incoming leader of the Senate cannot settle these differences, it will be put to a vote before the floor. However--

DAVILA: -- you mean all 24?

ESCUDERO: No. the members of the majority.

DAVILA: Ilan ba sila now?

ESCUDERO: It depends on how many there will be there. If someone is dissatisfied, they may decide- at the end of the day to join the minority. So, only members of the majority can choose who their chairman will be and members of the minority can choose who their members will be.

DAVILA: I'm curious, if I were to ask you who do you think should head of the Education committee? Just give me a few names.

ESCUDERO: All of those who are interested are actually more than qualified- Senator Sherwin, Senator Joel, Senator Pia. Senator Pia, although she is returning, she's been a member of the Senate for 12 years. In the case of Senator Sherwin and Senator Joel, they've been there for three years. That has been a long debate in the Senate in the House and in the Senate, Karen. Who is more senior? Do you count the previous years they served or count who is returning and count from zero? Matagal nang debate at argumento iyan sa Kongreso man o sa Senado.

DAVILA: So, they were all qualified but who do you think would be a good chairman? Can you recommend one?

ESCUDERO: Any of the three actually. They're all friends of mine and they're all competent, Karen. They have shown--

DAVILA: -- but who needs it the most?

ESCUDERO: It is a misnomer to think that if you're a chair of education you have a better chance of getting reelected. I don't think that should be the basis. So, if Joel- for example and Senator Win would say, 'we need it more because we are up for reelection.' That is a misnomer because- take for example the case of Senator Aquino, he chaired that committee for quite some time. But still and then, it's totally different basis or reason for voting or not voting him in the last election.

DAVILA: I'm curious when it comes to the Health committee, sino ang matunog ngayon?

ESCUDERO: That is a committee that Senator Pia also held before.

DAVILA: But is Bong Go going to get it?

ESCUDERO: I don't know, Karen. We started talking about committee chairmanships in the last caucus we had, I stepped out because I was no longer part of the decision making part.

DAVILA: But is it fair to say that Senator Sonny will get finance. It looks like --

ESCUDERO: It's headed in that direction.

DAVILA: Okay. Ways and means- Imee said on the show, I don't want ways and means.

ESCUDERO: Nobody usually wants ways and means, Karen, even Sonny Angara did not like or want ways and means.

DAVILA: Oo, so how does that go? I mean, if no one wants ways and means?

ESCUDERO: It will be given to someone at the end of the day.

DAVILA: At the end of the day, it's assigned?

ESCUDERO: Technically it will be assigned or it will be given as part of another committee that he or she likes.

DAVILA: Okay. Alright, Blue Ribbon, will Senator Richard Gordon give it up?

ESCUDERO: I don't think so.

DAVILA: Oo and Justice as well?

ESCUDERO: More Blue Ribbon than Justice.

DAVILA: Okay, I know that every time that there is a change in the Senate of course this happens but it seems to be more- how do I say this?

ESCUDERO: Direktahin mo lang. Okay lang iyan.

DAVILA: Mas matindi ngayon kaysa noong mga nakaraang taon.

ESCUDERO: Hindi naman mas maingay lang ngayon, Karen. Iyong posisyunan, iyong paghingi o paghayag ng kagustuhan na maging chairman ng isang committee, nilalabas at sinasabi iyan. Pero hindi nga lang sa ilaw ng Kamara at hindi lamang sa harap ng mikropono. Iyon siguro ang pagkakaiba.

DAVILA: It's changed?

ESCUDERO: In a way, yes, because for quite some time this things are not talked about in public. It's just announced when the new leadership comes into the position of power and starts to organize their respective chambers.

DAVILA: Okay, is that good?

ESCUDERO: In a way, yes, because you can call it transparency. On the other hand, anything that's made in public is a cause for more debate and misunderstandings among the members.

DAVILA: Okay, I'm curious, other than Education, you are a Banking and Financial Institutions, who do you think can chair that well?

ESCUDERO: Actually, walang may gusto yata nu'n. Hindi yata kasama ngayon, Karen, sa pinag-u-usapan. Each Senator will have at least two committees.

DAVILA: Oo, one major and one minor?

ESCUDERO: One major and one minor. I don't know how they considered the committee of banks if it's major or minor.

DAVILA: But you don't make, you don't give suggestions on who?

ESCUDERO: I only give suggestion, Karen, when I'm asked. I've learned that-

DAVILA: -no recommendations?

ESCUDERO: That's the basic rule I've followed strictly for the past 21 years in politics and in government and it has served me well.

DAVILA: Okay but then before you leave- to be fair, the banking and financial institutions committee is you passed a bill imposing life imprisonment on bank hackers?

ESCUDERO: Iyon usually ang nako-cover, Karen. Pero, sa akin mas importanteng maipasa namin kahapon ay iyung sistema para palawigin at magtayo na tinatawag nating Islamic Banking or Sharia Banking. Dahil walang bangko sa Muslim Mindanao para sa ating mga kababayang Muslim dahil ayon sa Quran, bawal ang interes.

DAVILA: How does that happen now?

ESCUDERO: Ang tawag nila yata, tinatawag nilang fees o kung ano man pero bawal ang interes. So, hindi sila puwedeng maglagay ng pera, Karen. Bawal sa kanilang relihiyon at paniniwala sa mga bangko, kung saan kumikita ng interes o kikita sila ng interes. So, kinailangang itayo ito dahil kahit iisa lamang ang bangko na mayroon tayo para sa kanila- ang Al Amanah Bank na matagal ng bagsak, nalugi at hindi man lamang nakapagpatayo ng maraming mga branch doon sa Muslim Mindanao.

DAVILA: Okay, so does this mean, in effect that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is now authorized to establish Islamic Bank?

ESCUDERO: To authorize the entry of players that would offer Islamic Banking.

DAVILA: Foreign players?

ESCUDERO: Yes, kasi bukas na, binuksan na natin I think three years ago ang banking industry sa foreign players.

DAVILA: You know how will this make the difference in terms of the take-off in the economy because alam naman natin marami sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim. Iyong pera nasa ilalim ng kama, maraming ganoon.

ESCUDERO: Kasi nga bawal magdeposito sa bangko. Mabibigyan ito ng pagkakataon na magamit iyong pera nila ng bangko para mapahiram doon sa mga nangangailangan o gustong magnegosyo. This will in simple parlance provide access to credit for our muslim brothers in Muslim Mindanao and that's for the longest time they have not access to.

DAVILA: Okay, so that's one and you think that's big but it's not sexy enough for the new.

ESCUDERO: Not sexy enough for as life imprisonment for hackers.

DAVILA: Okay. Yes but let's talk about that as well because the voting was 20 to 0 House bill- of course from the House to you and 5 million pesos fine with life imprisonment.

ESCUDERO: No debate there, Karen because if you remember as chair of Banks we conducted several hearings where in ATM cards Credit cards were hacked. Even they ATM machines so this provides more teeth to the law and so far as filling cases against this would be hackers and or those who are planning to be hackers.

DAVILA: Basta ka lang merong kang any type of skimming device, puwede ka nan g kasuhan?

ESCUDERO: Pwede kang kasuhan kasi sa ngayon dahil bagong teknolohiya iyan hindi naman iyan saklaw ng 1932 na revised penal code Karen. Ang pinaka pwede nilang maisampang ay iyung estafa lamang.

DAVILA: What do you think that actually we have the technology to actually use this law?

ESCUDERO: We actually do. You'll be surprised, the Bangko Sentral is quite advance when it comes to this things. And to be fair to the major banks they're at least a step ahead when they should be more steps ahead of aspiring hackers.

DAVILA: I'm curious with your two committees- what would you consider was your favorite committee?

ESCUDERO: Between the two?

DAVILA: Yes.

ESCUDERO: Only the two?

DAVILA: But you've handled many, I mean you've done finance.

ESCUDERO: I've handled a lot, Finance, Ways and Means, I don't know Karen I think being a member of the Senate is more than enough because automatically you have a voice in every committee; you have a voice on a vote on every matter brought before the floor. And quite frankly being chairman, I never saw it as an advantage compared to my colleagues, in regard to pursuing for a particular bill or inserting any provision on any bill that's taken up by the Senate.

DAVILA: Leading the Senate, I mean, twelve years what would you consider as your biggest achievement? I mean in terms of the laws that the country now enjoys, well number one let me remind is that the tax exemption from minimum wage earners was one of the highlights of your career. Would you consider?

ESCUDERO: Not really, Karen, because when I was the chair of Ways and Means- perhaps kapag tinanong mo kasi ako Karen kung ano legasiya ko, ang sagot ko doon wala pa naman ako sa legacy mode. Siguro pag sitenta na ako tanungin mo ako nasa legacy mode na siguro ako. Pangalawa, ang paniniwala ko bilang mambabatas hindi pwedeng angkinin ng sino mang nag-iisang miyembro. Ano mang batas na ipinasa ng Kongreso, Kamara man o Senado. Nagkataon lamang naman sigurong nauna sila na naghain ng panukalang batas. Nagkataon lamang naman siguro chairman siya ng komite na nag sponsor ng batas pero yung paghubog, pagpasa ng batas na iyon bahagi lahat ng mambabatas at dadagdagan ko pa- nasa speech ko iyan mamaya kapag nagpaalam ako. At dadagdagan ko pa malaking bahagi noon iyong mga taong walang mukha, iyong mga taong walang pangalan at hindi nakikita sa liwanag ng tagumpay sa pagpasa ng ano mang batas. Kaya kahit kailan, Karen, sa nakaraang 21 years wala naman akong inangking batas na ipinasa ko na ako lamang ang gumawa lalo na sa Senado dahil isang senador lang ang tumatayo na ayaw, tutol at hindi payag sa ano mang panukalang batas, tulog na iyang batas na iyan. Kasi sa totoo lang kailangan ng suporta at tulong sa paharap man o pailalim ng isang senador. Halimbawa tutol ka pero sige na hindi na ako magpi-filibuster, boboto na lang ako laban diyan tulong na rin iyan. Kung mapapansin mo rin sa nagdaang halalan.

DAVILA: What you are trying to say is even if you don't agree ifyou don't agree just because you don't feel filibuster or argue.

ESCUDERO: Bahagi noon.

DAVILA: At least, mas madali siya maipasa

ESCUDERO: At kung titingnan mo din, Karen sa nagdaang halalan, may ilang mga senador na ginamit ang panukalang batas na naipasa nila at iyong ibang walang ginamit na panukalang batas na partikular na napasa at dinikit ang pangalan nila doon, mas yun ang hindi pa gumamit ng panukalang batas ang nanalo. Kumpara doon sa gumamit, dahil marahil sa punto de vista ng ating mga kababayan; hindi ito puwedeng angkinin ng nag-iisa o sino mang isang mambabatas iyan ay produkto.

DAVILA: Parang my backlash?

ESCUDERO: Not really a backlash but they never saw it as really being yours and yours only but the collective effort of everyone. Again, not only the members of Congress and the Senate but more importantly the people behind them who painstakingly work until the wee hours of the morning to make their bosses look good.

DAVILA: Okay but then again about human rights in terms of human rights the reparation I mean that Marcos compensation human rights victims.

ESCUDERO: The Marcos Compensation Bill after twenty five years, actually.

DAVILA: But I would have to say, that one you were at the forefront, is that fair?

ESCUDERO: I was chair of the committee and ironically I remembered that bill. It was the left leaning groups who are actually arguing against each other which cause the delay of that bill. By the way, on Thursday we will be judging the design of the Human Rights Memorial Museum to choose what kind of design what shape, size or form it will take that will embody that period in our history. It will be constructed near the UP Fine Arts building.

DAVILA: The interesting part about all these is considering there is already a law that actually acknowledges the existence of human rights victim during martial law- I wanted to ask you, you have Bongbong, essentially many believed he actually won as Vice President and you have Imee that scored seats closed to 16 million votes. What does this say about the Filipino voter, essentially, Chiz your father have worked with the late..

ESCUDERO: With the late Marcos.

DAVILA: Yes, well how do you analyze this whole situation where in you have the Marcoses that refused to apologize? A law exist already saying human rights violations existed.

ESCUDERO: Number one; to be fair to Senator Bongbong, he was a member of the Senate when this bill was passed. He did not prevent its passage- like what I've told you, in a way he's part of it, too. That he did not standup; that he did not filibuster, in a way, he is part of this group. Now, regarding your question about why, what, when and where regarding the Marcos family.

DAVILA: Because Imee had a very good showing, I mean that is really good 16 million, number eight.

ESCUDERO: There's many reason why a person will vote or not vote for a particular candidate, Karen, at any point in time, this preference changes across time, as well. Sometimes it's an expression of frustration in relation to someone who's the opposite of who's presenting themselves before you. Sometimes, it's an expression of their sense of fairness or justice because, as you said- if indeed Senator Marcos was cheated out of his alleged victory then, perhaps.

DAVILA: Do you think that's a factor?

ESCUDERO: All of these are factors Karen but barring any actions, post-election survey that would ask the voter why they voted for. Usually it's not done because usually as the saying goes everybody loves a winner and defeat is always an orphan. Everybody will ride on that bandwagon. Surveys after the elections as to why they did this, why they voted for that person are usually inaccurate.

DAVILA: I'm curious, were you surprised that senator JV lost?

ESCUDERO: The surveys were showing, Karen, about a month before that he was trailing- although his numbers were going up. Perhaps, if given two more weeks- if the elections were held to more weeks after when it was held, perhaps, he would have made it. His trajectory was on the way up.

DAVILA: You also handled justice at one point.

ESCUDERO: Actually, ang dami ng komite. Yes.

DAVILA: Because you are now leaving. 12 years, you created more courts essentially wanting to de clog.

ESCUDERO: Yes, and to make it closer to the people but with the twist, Karen because usually what congressmen like to do is to create a court in their hometown. To create a court in a town or a cluster of towns but we have realized that most lawyers in any province lived in the capital city of the town. In the end it becomes more expensive for the litigant to get a lawyer from the city and bring him to the court that's located in a far flung town. The trend has been to create courts within the cities not because the cities are favored but because most of the practitioners are there. It's cheaper to bring the litigant to the city- mamamasahe lang siya. Instead of bringing the lawyer to the far flung court. Babayaran mo iyong oras niya.

DAVILA: Is this practice now? Have you actually. I mean-

ESCUDERO: That is the direction headed towards already since I became chair of justice.

DAVILA: But will you able to check just how many courts have been built. ESCUDERO: There's a big backlog. To begin with, you need the authority to create it before you can actually be physically created. So, we give the Supreme Court the power authority to do so. Subject to their discretion and prioritization which one they will create first depending on the budget given to them by Congress. But the backlog is still high, so far judges being appointed.

DAVILA: I'm curious at one point in your career you were always against additional new taxes but why did you decide to vote for the amendments of the Sin Tax Bill, now?

ESCUDERO: Because of ear marking. Ear marking meaning to say it will go to a specific purpose. Before- most, if not all of the taxes proposed were headed towards the general funds, so to speak. And we know what usually happens to the general funds and it's subject to the whim of any sitting president. But ear marking any revenue measure, your marking revenues raised by any new tax measure is actually better from my perspective because you know exactly where it will go- in this case, the Universal Health Care.

DAVILA: Before we go to Sorsogon, let's talk about education because a lot. I mean, I think it was first day yesterday for public schools students 27 million went back to school and the backlog. Let's start first with that with classrooms from 2014 it has not improved. Considering we have the biggest budget that goes to education, your chair. What's wrong?

ESCUDERO: Madami.

DAVILA: Backlog muna?

ESCUDERO: Backlog ng classrooms.

DAVILA: Coming from PNoy's time that he had wanted already to address the backlog. It has not improved today.

ESCUDERO: Hindi kasi plinano Karen. Nilagyan ng pondo- which is a good start pero hindi naman pinlano kung paano maipapatupad. The implementation of the school building fund- on any given year- is delayed by is at least two years. Simply because they go through the process of identifying the site, reviewing it, DepEd does not have enough people or service vehicle to actually survey. They based it on the certification the principal usually wants a new building because she wants a new office and the schools that actually need a new building aren't given one- so they have to validate, revalidate and revalidate over again. Second, DepEd passed the memorandum that said, you should do soil testing on schools to provide and ensure the safety of students.

DAVILA: It sounds fair.

ESCUDERO: It sounds fair but nobody knew who's going to do it, DPWH or DepEd and they point finger at each other for about eight months. This was during PNoy's time. Number two: DepEd also required which is fair too that all schools sites must be titled in the name of DepEd. They should have the title to it because it's also unfair not totally unfair but illegal to construct a school building on land that's not owned by DepEd. And you have a lot of schools sites does not in the name of DepEd, for example, the barangay captain before donated it. The principal when she retired brought the documents with her. It was only a tax declaration; it's only a deed of donation. It is still a public land. Many problem associated with that. That's why many school buildings aren't built on areas where it's needed. And number three: in Metro Manila and particular were you saw most of the coverage- na iyong student-

DAVILA: Ito iyong tungkol sa 80 students in a class?

ESCUDERO: The problem in urbanized area such as Metro Manila is actually space. The tallest school building that's being constructed by DepEd- I don't think it's finished will be about 10 or 12 storeys high. But when you're doing that or while you're doing that- number one; it takes time about two to three years. Number two; you have to demolish the building where you intend to build your 10 new storey building. So, lalong pang mababawasan iyong mga classroom simply because you already lack land. To address that, it's a long process though, you should address the in migration into city centers' because more often that's really piles up any projected student-to-teacher-to-classroomratio. When you have in migration from provinces outside Metro Manila.

DAVILA: That's one, but then for the incoming chairman of the education committee what should he/ she prioritize on, to at least address the backlog?

ESCUDERO: This is the implementation problem, Karen, not a legislation problem. Appropriating more money for the school building program won't really help because there's still implementing- as we speak- 2017 funds. Part of 2017 funds, they haven't fully completed 2018 funds and you already 2019 funds for it. Add to that, the fact that in so far as the construction is concerned it's basically bided out so it's the contractor, the private contractor who's building the school.

DAVILA: Now President Duterte has-

ESCUDERO: By the way, we passed the Neutral Desk Bill. Meaning to say, ang o-orderin na ng DepEd mula sa susunod na taon ay neutral desks.

KAREN: Not right?

ESCUDERO: Para sa kaliwete.

KAREN: Who's going to make that? Locally?

ESCUDERO: Both private and public schools are already mandated. In the first year to provide 10%, in 2nd year to provide all or meaning to say, all of the desks they will procure should be already neutral handed. Meaning puwedeng pangkaliwa, puwedeng pangkanan kasi hindi naman bawal ang kaliwete ang bawal lang mangaliwa.

DAVILA: So, how does the desk look, is it a 'U'?

ESCUDERO: Yes.

DAVILA: So it's a U, pwede mo 'tong gawin?

ESCUDERO: Yes.

DAVILA: President Duterte has certified as urgent the bill requiring ROTC for senior high school students. Do you agree or disagree?

ESCUDERO: I'm not in favor. Pinagdaanan ko 'yon, Karen. CMT ang tawag sa amin noon. CAT noong high school, CMT noong college. Doon sa mahilig- bakit hindi, hindi ko sila pipigilan pero doon naman sa walang kahilig hilig o hindi mahilig- sa pananaw ko tama ang kasalukuyang batas na binibigyan sila ng mga bagay bagay na puwede pagpilian para mapakinabangan iyong oras na iyon at para mas mapakinabangan ang talentong binigay sa kanila ng Diyos na marahil ay walang kinalaman sa pagbitbit ng kahoy na baril at pagmartsa sa init ng araw.

DAVILA: I wanted to ask you because President Duterte may have a point. Doesn't this skill build patriotism in some ways? I mean, I have friends from Singapore and what's interesting- the men for example, even if now they're doctors, they are a CEO's; they go back to the motherland. They call it the motherland and actually served. I mean, they're not at war but they do in other words. Parang you make time.

ESCUDERO: Ano ang polisiya, Karen, ng gobyerno para pag-initin ang pagmamahal sa bayan sa parte ng mga babae.

DAVILA: I can't use that as an example but I mean I'm just curious-

ESCUDERO: Pero ang programang ito ay para sa mga lalaki.

DAVILA: Iyong ROTC?

ESCUDERO: Oo.

DAVILA: It's not for men and women?

ESCUDERO: Ang bersyon kong nakita. Noong panahon ko mga lalaki lang din.

DAVILA: I have CAT.

ESCUDERO: Noong high school.

DAVILA: Exactly. That's what President Duterte wants- high school.

ESCUDERO: Pero Karen, maraming paraan ang pakikipaglaban para sa bayan. Hindi lamang naman sa pamamagitan ng pagbuhat o paggamit ng baril. Sa katunayan, ang pambansang bayani natin hindi gumamit ng baril. Siya pa ang tinuturing nating pambansang bayani. So, iyong iyong pagturo para sa akin bilang isang estudyante ng kasaysayan; ang pagturo at pagkakaroon ng pagmamahal sa bayan mas maibibigay iyan sa isang estudyante sa pamamagitan ng pagturo ng kasaysayan ng ating bansa sa kanya. Sa pinagdaanan ng ating bansa, sa paghihirap ng mga ninuno natin para makamit ano mang meron tayo ngayon.

DAVILA: Is there any alternative to ROTC that you see might be a good alternative?

ESCUDERO: It's one of the alternatives now, Karen. Meaning under existing law, if you want to, you can.

DAVILA: But of course, not a lot, want to.

ESCUDERO: Yes, but if you want to do community service, too, you can.

DAVILA: Okay.

ESCUDERO: If you want to teach out of school youth. If you want to go to a daycare center and teach the kids. If you want to clean-up the side streets of your barangay and community, you can, too.

DAVILA: Okay. Moving on what do you think will it help men? I mean, coming from the President Duterte is thinking- do we need it for Filipino men, then?

ESCUDERO: Siguro galing na lang sa pinagdaan ko, Karen. Hindi iyon ang nagmulat sa akin sa pagmamahal sa bayan. Hindi ang pagbitbit niya sa kahoy na baril o pagmartsa sa ilalim ng init ng araw. Pagbulyaw, pagsigaw sa amin ng mga officers namin noon na naging kaibigan ko ang marami. Hindi iyon ang nagmulat sa akin sa pagmamahal sa bayan kung hindi iyong kahirapan nakita mo at pagkakataon na binigay sa iyo ng Diyos na makagawa ng malaki o maliit man na bagay para maiangat sila. Mas iyon kaysa iyan.

DAVILA: I'm curious in the Senate because- I mean, when Imee was here she did say she wasn't for the mandatory ROTC. She suggested something else but not ROTC, if I remember correctly. I mean, is this gaining ground or it's not doing well?

ESCUDERO: Unang-una, wala ng pagasa makapasa iyan- sa pananaw ko- sa kasalukuyang Kongreso. Susunod na Kongreso na ang magtatalakay niyan. Ilan sa aking kasamahan sa Senado, ang gusto ay sa kolehiyo hindi sa high school. Pati ako mas maaring bukas pa ako sa kolehiyo kumpara sa high school. Mas gusto ko magdagdag na lang ng subject na GMRC sa high school kaysa mag- CAT sa high school.

DAVILA: Good Manners and Right Conduct. Okay, alright. Wala na iyon, hindi na iyon aabot. Let's talk about you winning in Sorsogon. You had 303,960 votes. What's interesting is the PDP-Laban official candidate actually did quite poorly with a little more than 20,000 or close to 30,000?

ESCUDERO: Opo at nagpapasalamat po ako sa aming kababayan sa suporta nila.

DAVILA: Okay, so clearly 303,000 is I mean more than a land slide. It's like you're the man because you were five?

ESCUDERO: Eight, actually.

DAVILA: Okay, eight and everybody else did less than either 20,000 or close to 20,000. What are your first year as Governor of Sorsogon. What can we expect from you?

ESCUDERO: Tututok kami Karen sa dalawang bagay lamang; kalusugan ng aming kababayan at kabuhayan ng aming kababayan. Dalawang bagay na hindi ko puwedeng magawa bilang senador o bilang kongresista.

DAVILA: But how would you improve?

ESCUDERO: Dahil devolve ang health at saka agriculture na pangunahing kabuhayan sa aming lalawigan- sa mga local government units. Sa larangan ng kabuhayan, sisimulan naming gastusan, Karen, ang agrikultura. Sa kasalukuyang budget-

DAVILA: What is the budget of Sorsogon today?

ESCUDERO: About 1.7 billion IRA at ang nakakalungkot diyan-

DAVILA: But, that's the province?

ESCUDERO: Yes, noong pinag-aralan ko iyong buong budget.

DAVILA: In Quezon City, 1 billion.

ESCUDERO: Yes, because no IRA. That's includes income.

DAVILA: Alright, into all na IRA in income?

ESCUDERO: About a little less than 2 billion.

DAVILA: That's still really low?

ESCUDERO: That's still low but ironically, Karen, when I look at the budget which I did when I was chairman of finance. The budget they allocated for agriculture was less than 4 million but 3.8 million. So, it's no wonder why we're in such a sorry state, if at all, in regard to agriculture.

DAVILA: To put 2 billion is really small. Holistically for Sorsogon.

ESCUDERO: It is Karen. Again, I'm a student of numbers I always do and subject to time and motion in everything that I do. So, if you look at 2 billion and your total budget for personal services is over 55%, what's left to help your people?

DAVILA: Okay, what is this mean? Let's break it down does this mean you will fire some people?

ESCUDERO: No. Karen, we will try to limit PS (personal services) we try to rationalize it. For example, Karen-

DAVILA: -so your streamline?

ESCUDERO: The Office of the Governor was given three permanent items for a driver. Do you honestly think I'll use the driver of the previous governor?

DAVILA: But three ha?

ESCUDERO: That should be a called a terminus position and I'd rather bring that item to the hospital so that our ambulance will have three drivers per ambulance who can be on duty 24/7. It's a matter of re-allocating not really a question of removing people and taking them out.

DAVILA: Pero yung tanong ko- if its 2 billion, 55% is personnel, does that mean you want it lesser?

ESCUDERO: Definitely, Karen.

DAVILA: So you will have to remove?

ESCUDERO: Not remove, reallocate and what we can do is outsourced some of the functions and still let them do it. So, there are many ways actually doing it.

DAVILA: Agree, how much will you be putting in if it's 4 million?

ESCUDERO: We are targeting at least half a b illion including loans and including assistance from funding organizations.

DAVILA: So, you're putting more in Agriculture- 500,000 at least?

ESCUDERO: Karen 14 out of 15 Towns in Sorsogon is Coastal. Ironically the price of fish in our province is the same as in Metro Manila.

DAVILA: Why is that?

ESCUDERO: It's all being brought out; nilalabas lahat. Lahat palabas. Walang naiiwan o konti ang naiiwan sa amin. Babaguhin namin iyon.

DAVILA: The test now, for you, is clearly you have been a legislator half of your life. Will you be a good manager.

ESCUDERO: Less than half of my life.

DAVILA: That's the question now- being a governor will you be a good manager; will you be a good leader?

ESCUDERO: Hindi lang bilang manager, from being theoretical in passage of laws. You are now trust in the forefront and actually implementing the laws that being passed. I have seen a few losses that I was a part of- that Congress passed in which I was a part of that are actually not practical. Difficult to implement and in a way ties the hand of any local Chief Executive to actually serves constituents better.

DAVILA: Now quickly, you also ran a campaign of 'No Child Behind.' Sorsogon has a population of 500,000, am I correct?

ESCUDERO: That's the voting population; the population is about 850,000 according to PSA.

DAVILA: When it comes to Sorsogon, unang-una you are out of the poverty incidents report am I correct, wala na so hindi na siya part. It used to be number 20 of the poorest provinces, hindi na?

ESCUDERO: Hindi, matagal na kaming graduate doon. Pero, hindi ibig sabihin nu'n, Karen, na maganda ang buhay ng aming kababayan. Dapat pataasin pa rin.

DAVILA: In terms of education, what can they expect from you?

ESCUDERO: No child left behind. Pangunahin ang mga children with special needs. Iyan ang tututukan namin, dahil sa isang probinsya tulad ng sa amin kapag ikaw ay mahirap at may anak kang may special needs, sa bahay na lang yan. Dahil ang polisiya ng DepEd ay isama sa mainstream na classroom na hindi naman puwede at hindi naman talaga siya makakasabay at palagi siyang mapag-iiwanan

DAVILA: Dapat IEP?

ESCUDERO: Tututukan naming iyan, sa paniniwala Karen na bawat nilalang ay pantay na ginawa ng Diyos na mayroon siyang talento na nakatago at kailangan ay tuklasin, hanapin at hubugin.

DAVILA: Wait I'll give you a bigger problem, May 2019 you have P280,000,000 worth of cocaine that was found floating in Sorsogon at one of your barangay; Barangay Bagakay in Gubat. 39 blocks of cocaine?

ESCUDERO: Actually, that's not the first time that blocks of cocaine were found in the Bicol provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon specifically on the Pacific Ocean side. The theory of the PNP is that it's being intentionally drop-off for someone to pick it up later on.

DAVILA: What will you do now?

ESCUDERO: It's impossible that actually a big ship full of cocaine sank somewhere and all of this floated to the shore lines of the four or five-

DAVILA: I agree but what will you do, I mean, clearly it's getting into your province?

ESCUDERO: It's not actually. Karen. Cocaine use in our province is close to zero because as the Philippine National Police Regional Director said when he called for a press conference on this cocaine, it was cocaine blocks that were found.

DAVILA: Parang transport point?

ESCUDERO: Hindi, ang sabi niya pang mayaman to which is actually true, Karen. Ang cocaine ay pang mayaman.

DAVILA: I'm curious, what would you do, if it lands in your barangay?

ESCUDERO: Hindi naglaland sa amin. Nakukuha ng mangingisda. Sa pangingisda niya mayroon siyang nakukuha, and to be fair they've been surrendering because there's no market for that and we are quite strict when it comes to drugs there and referring to the PNP.

DAVILA: Okay, now before we go, we have a minute to go but what's interesting is your mother won as Mayor- a Congresswoman in the First District of Sorsogon against the lease apparently. You were once allies but no longer. Would you consider yourself a political dynasty; you're governor. Your mother is congresswoman. Yes or no?

ESCUDERO: In a way, yes. Even when I ran, Karen, by definition of the bills that are pending; I took the position over from my father. So in a way, yes.

DAVILA: You are not a supporter of the anti-political dynasty bill?

ESCUDERO: I have yet to see a definition Karen, the implementation of that bill. I'm open to it. Why? Because what if my cousin, my brother- who I'm not at good terms with decides to run in a different place- for barangay captain. Does that prevent me from running or does that prevent him from running? The bills I saw said, you air it out among yourselves. What if in the case of President Aquino before ever body wanted run for example and them a cousin of his decides to run for mayor in Tarlac. Who will be allowed to run and who will be prohibited from running? You're not even sure if they will both win. Now if you wait until the time that they both win, panalo na silang dalawa. Pinili na silang dalawa ng tao, sino ngayon ang bawal umupo?

DAVILA: In the gray, 'ika nga.

ESCUDERO: These are practical applications of the proposed Anti-dynasty Bill that have to be sorted out. Again, I'm not totally against it. In fact, I will not vote for or against it because I'm an interested party, so to speak. It's a clear case of conflict of interest.

DAVILA: On that note, Senator Chiz Escudero, thank you so much for coming to Headstart. You're doing your goodbye speech later today?

ESCUDERO: I'm thinking about it.

DAVILA: But is today, the goodbye?

ESCUDERO: Because it's our last day, Karen.

DAVILA: So, Loren going to say goodbye?

ESCUDERO: I think she did already, yesterday. Last week- the other week.

DAVILA: What are you thankful for? We'll just make it fast and quick, what have you learned being 12 years in the Senate?

ESCUDERO: And nine years in the House, Karen, sa pagkakataon maging bahagi ng institusyon na iyon at maghubog ng makabuluhang batas at thankful also, for the fact that I now have to actually go home and be home. Not only to our province but to also to our people and spend more time with them.

DAVILA: On that note, Senator Chiz Escudero, thank you for coming.