Press Release
November 25, 2009

Transcript of Dateline Philippines interview with Sen. Chiz

Ricky: Just less than an hour ago, I received by e-mail a senate resolution filed by Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas saying they're calling on the senate to directing the appropriate committee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation, as chairman of the justice committee, does that mean you?

FGE: Most likely Ricky, but then again that's up to the plenary which committee to refer the matter to. Senate sessions will resume I think on December 1 or 2 and that's when the resolution will be referred to the appropriate committee. If it's referred to my committee, I'm ready, able and willing to handle and take the some responsibility of proceeding with that inquiry.

Ricky: Most likely it would be more than one committee right?

FGE: Usually, if it's something this high profile. And yes probably of three or four committees.

Ricky: And I guess it will be sorted out it the first week of December sir.

FGE: Yes.

Ricky: Sir, since you're here, let's talk a little bit about it. I'm not trying to preempt you, we don't even know yet if your committee is going to be the one to handle it. But, you've seen what has been going on for the last week or so. Certainly you're just as shock atsanybody else of what you've seen.

FGE: Definitely Ricky I'm appalled and shocked at the inhumanity committed and done. And definitely whoever is behind this must be put behind bars and must face the bar of justice. Hindi ito yung unang pagkakataon Ricky na nakita natin yung ganitong uri ngpatayan sa parting yan ng ating bansa. Dahil na rin sa matagalang away ng clan at pamilya. At itong Mangudadatu sa kabilang banda, at Ampatuan sa kabilang banda, eh nagkakagirian na sa medyo matagal tagal na panahon. If and when government does step in, government must ensure than justice is done for both sides, not only for one side. Because they might tilt it in favor of one party in which therefore will give leeway to the other party to do everything as well against the other clan?

Ricky: Is it better, do you think for because they've enforced the gun but actually there's no is actually gone in there to disarm either clan? So I don't know what's gonna go on there. But do you think that's something they should attempt?

FGE: Matagal ko ng sinabi yan Ricky, sinuman ang pangulo, sinuman ang susunod na pangulo, dapat i-enforce yung batas doon. Pag wala kang permit to carry, hindi ka dapat pwedeng magdala ng baril. Pag hindi ka pulis o sundalong nakauniporme, hindi ka rin dapat pwedeng magdala ng baril. But that has not been implemented in that part of our country for the longest time, decades, not only years.

Ricky: And this do you think should be enough of an impetus for that to happen?

FGE: Actually even before this, it should have been. Because the law does not say that in Mindanao the law is different. In Metro Manila and in Luzon, Visayas the law is different. There have been calls for example to disarm the Ampatuans but is should be to disarm all clans; to disarm all armed groups. Not only one particular armed group because if you do that, it will lead for example one family or one clan is open and at the mercy of the other. And you will see a part two but this time, by way of retaliation.

Ricky: So you really have to disarm all of them?

FGE: If at all you have to disarm all and you have to implement the law equally to all as well.

Ricky: Senator how realistic is that given the political reality on the ground.

FGE: It's not a political reality Ricky. It's the reality. That the military, AFP and PNP cannot protect civilians there. Civilians more often than not are left to protect themselves in some parts of Mindanao.

Ricky: What I mean political reality is both of these families until very recently have been allied with the administration. One the Mangudadatus as I understand it have changed side as they contest the..

FGE: They would be joining which party?

Ricky: According to Frank Drilon last night in Pia Hontiveros' show that the Mangudadatu was scheduled to take their oath in Liberal Party.

FGE: Giving the coming elections Ricky, again, we should be very careful in our attempts to arrive at justice and be fair. Because in the resolution for example of Sen. Aquino and Sen. Roxas if the Mangudadatus are their partymates it has weighed in insofar as how the matter will be handled and treated in senate to ensure fairness.

Ricky: Well this is the perfect segue way because you now belong to no party. What to you would be the interest if you were to investigate this, what angles would you look at here?

FGE: Personally Ricky, a senate investigation should only be done given certain circumstances. One, the relevant government agency is not doing its job or cannot do its job. Because the last thing you want is to haul them all to Manila, for the provincial director, the regional director and impede their work there. Secondly, if clearly there is bias one way or the other then the Senate should come in also, for example if the administration is using its clout to persecute not prosecute certain persons or individuals that are its political opponents then yes, the senate should protect, or to protect in this manner.

Ricky: I know the pundits and the newspapers have begun to suggest that it's gonna be difficult for president Arroyo to go after the suspects here, the Ampatuans because of the political loyalty that she owes him. But do you agree with that view that might complicate things the political relationships?

FGE: I don't think has a choice at this time given the gravity of what was committed; given what happened. I don't think she has a choice on this. And I'm sure not only media but the international community would come in as well insofar as this issue is concern. They would want to see a logical conclusion to it.

Ricky: And given that you don't have any party anymore then I don't suppose anyone would say, can accuse you of bias when this thing begins, right? FGE: Yes, but a disclosure, I know both sides, I've met them before namely Toto Mangudadatu the one hand and the Ampatuans, the regional governor, and the mayor being mentioned. I know both sides, I've met them before but none of them are my party mates.

Ricky: But that doesn't make you partial, because you know them.

FGE: Definitely not. Just a disclosure, as I said Ricky.

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