Transcript of interview with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

Q: What have you agreed on the caucus?

SP: What we agreed upon is: One, Miriam will hear the economic World Bank issue. And then we agreed with her recommendation that we will make public the documents obtained so far from the World Bank, from the Ombudsman and of that there's any arrangement for a briefing by the representatives of the World Bank then it has to be the committee not the Senate although the other senators who may wish to participate in the briefing may attend. Next is the Rules of Evidence that we will apply will be governed by Rule 10 of the Senate Rules of Procedure governing inquiries in aid of legislation. We do not want her to inhibit from any participation in the hearings. The other aspect of the matter under investigation will be handled by the pertinent committees, if there is a need for it.

Q: May kinalaman ba ito sa complaint ni Lacson na masyadong maiksi ang nakaraang hearing at hindi talaga natapos?

SP: Hindi na namin tinake up yun. Anyway, we agreed that if there is any need to hear other aspects of the issue beyond the economic aspect, let the proper committee of the Senate handle that.

Q: How true na may nagrereklamo na mga senador sa pag-handle ni Miriam?

SP: Wala naman. Wala dun sa caucus.

Q: Wala dun sa caucus pero meron.

SP: Wala.

Q: What is Rule 10 of the Senate Rules?

SP: The technical rules of evidence provided in the Rules of Court shall not be used in legislative investigation except if they affect substantive rights. That is more or less gist. Sec. 10 of the Rules of Evidence provides that technical rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings which do not affect substantive rights need not be observed by the committee.