Transcript of Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Conditional Cash Transfer Program

SP Hintayin natin, dahil nag-uumpisa pa lang 'yung programa. Ang ni-report nila is January to June, mayroon pang hanggang December 'yan. Makikita natin in a period of one year. Mache-check na natin when we go back, because the program started in 2008. They should be able to give us an update about the improvement, if any, as a result of the program.

Q May shortage pa daw sila na P2 billion?

SP 'Yun ang sabi nila. Tama 'yun, I think 'yung kanilang original P17 billion plus na programa, that was based on their calculated registered beneficiaries, but they have added additional ones through the registration system so they have to cover that.

On the West Philippine Sea and the Recto Reef

SP Well, hindi lang naman ngayon ginamit 'yan. Nuong panahon namin, pinangalanan namin 'yung mga isla na Pag-Asa, Rizal Reef, mayroong mga Pugad, okay lang 'yun. 'Wag na kayo magtataka dun. Kung sabihin natin 'yung Northern Sea ay Batanes Sea, Balintang Channel, Enrile Sea sa Cagayan.

Q Why is the government doing that?

SP Ako, okay lang 'yun dahil dagat naman talaga natin 'yan. Kagaya nung Sulu Sea. Pangalan ng probinsiya natin na malapit dun, Balabag Sea. Palawan.

Q Dapat ba tayo masatisfy sa statement ng US na strategic partner nila tayo?

SP Matagal na 'yun. They have always considered us as part of their defense system, all the way from the Alusians, to Australia. That is why we were involved in the last war because of that.

Q Ano ang implication nun sa growing tension sa Spratlys?

SP They are just telling the world that whoever wants to listen, that indeed we are their allies. We are allied to the United States under the Mutual Defense Treaty and by history. They have occupied us since 1899. They came here in 1898 and then occupied us from that time after under Gen. Merrit, who was the first military governor of the Philippines, all the way to McNaught who was the last governor general. That was 1946.

On the Supreme Court decision allowing live video coverage for the Ampatuan Trial.

SP Pinapayagan nila? Okay lang 'yun. At saka ako, 'yung ginagawa na tinatakpan 'yung mga naaarestong mga tao, mga criminal, dapat 'wag. Dapat malaman ng tao kung sino 'yung mga 'yun. We better call a spade a spade. Kung ikaw nagkasala, bakit patatakpan mo 'yung mukha mo, lalo na 'yung mga drug lords, nagbe-benta ng droga, kailangan makilala ng bayan 'yang mga 'yan, 'yung mga mandarambong.

Q Walang implication po sa justice system?

SP Wala, bakit? Anong problema nun?

Q Mag-aapela sila na huwag ipakita 'yung mukha.

SP Hindi pwede, mas mabuti nga, kung pulitiko ka, gusto mo makikita 'yung mukha mo sa telebisyon.

Q Makakatulong ba 'yun para sa speedy trial?

SP Mabuti 'yun para alam ninyo kung nangloloko lang 'yung prosecutor, o mahina o 'yung defense ay nagdi-dilatory tactic, o kaya 'yung mga nagsisinungaling. Malalaman naman ninyo 'yun. Public trial, nakalagay sa Saligang Batas natin, public. Public trial. Hindi private trial. Nung panahon lang ng inquisition mayroong chamber trial na tinatawag, di ba?