Transcript of interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

Q: Ano ini-expect natin in today's hearing, Sir?

SP: Well, I will submit the preliminary report stating the findings of fact that was done in the preliminary inquiry and my recommendation. I will tell you my recommendation. I recommended that the members of the committee must judiciously study the evidence that I am going to submit to them along with my preliminary report and then in the next hearing, I will give them until Thursday to study all of these documents. And on Thursday, we will make a determination whether there is a substantial credible evidence to support the complaint and if the decision of the committee is affirmative then we will now order an investigation and then we will make a public announcement to that effect and give notice to the parties that a public investigation or a public hearing will be conducted. And we will set the date of the hearing. We will set the preliminary conference thereafter and after the preliminary conference, this is an added safeguard to the respondent, and then after the preliminary conference, if the parties could not agree on some facts, we will then conduct a hearing only to the extent of the disagreed facts.

Q: Are you going to disclose today your recommendations?

SP: No, this is purely an internal matter to the committee. That's why I have to beg off from disclosing the contents of the report because I want to give the members of the committee the leeway and the full freedom to read through all of the report including the evidence that are attached to it and then make up their mind. So that this is an individual decision of the members of the committee of the Senate. No one is going to be pressured to decide one way or the other.

Q: Sir, is Senator Villar going to be informed about this particular stage of the proceeding? Like what the court is...

SP: He was notified but I doubt he will not appear. In fact, the members of the Minority walked out.

Q: This was the last hearing?

SP: Yes.

Q: Will Senator Villar be furnished of this particular report this morning?

SP: The rules do not require. We will not. But if they want to have a copy, this is internal to the committee, the respondent is not supposed to participate in this.

Q: But the Minority, the members of the Minority of course will be given even if they walked out?

SP: If they want. I will submit it here in the committee. If they're not here, they are free to ask a copy of the preliminary report.

Q: Sir, they are given until Thursday to comment po?

SP: Not to comment, to make up their minds. They have to study the evidence.

Q: Kung may vote, open voting po sa Thrusday? Or paano po yun?

SP: No, I will include in the resolution that they have to indicate their vote. I want it recorded. I don't want these things to be forgotten afterwards. The vote of each one will have to be recorded in a piece of document.

Q: What will happen on Thursday? We will have another hearing on Thursday?

SP: Precisely, as I outlined it already.

Q: Sir, if members have not participated? I'm referring to Senator Santiago, she has not been participating but she has been criticizing the procedure being taken up here?

SP: Well, that's her prerogative. She can criticize but I'm the presiding officer I will perform my duty according to my best light and my conscience so help me God. And if I can come out alright in this proceedings, 10 angels swearing that I was wrong will make no difference.

Q: What stage would Senator Villar need to be present?

SP: There's no need for him to be present. He can appear in person or through counsel. There's no compulsion, this is not a criminal case. Contrary to the perception of others, this is not a criminal case. This is an ethical case.

Q: Is it true that Senator Villar has asked permission again to travel abroad?

SP: Well, that's a separate matter. He's a senator, I will grant him all the privileges of a senator.

Q: Have you granted?

SP: No, I have not gotten any request. Maybe it's pending in the Secretariat. These are routinary matters, whenever a senator wants to travel and spend the money of the people for that purpose then they present it to me. If it's legitimate, I'll approve.