Transcript of Ambush Interview On the
Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program

SP: We'll have to scrutinize it. Pera 'yan na galing sa bayan and we have to see to it that it's going to be really effective.

Q: You said some countries are having difficulties in implementing this kind of welfare program...

SP: Really, especially in South America. They cannot exit from it.

Q: Sir, suggest po natin na pangkabuhayan ang gusto nating tulong...

SP: Kung ako ang masusunod, gagamitin ko 'yan to lace the country with roads that will connect all human settlements into the poblacion so that they can move by land. Then, they can bring in their products to the market plus deficiencies in school buildings, school desks, school rooms and textbooks because there is no substitute for education as an instrument to bring up the poor families of the country. If they can graduate one or two of their children from college, then that will be an asset to their whole family.

Q: Sir, reaction niyo po sa mga lugar na wala sa listahan?

SP: Marami. Alam mo kasi, ako, in the first place, I'm the oldest in Congress. I'm the oldest among all the members of Congress. I guess, over time, I've travelled extensively throughout the country. I know, more or less, the condition of all the regions, all the towns of the country. So, I'm questioning the selection process.

On the Statement of Ambassador Harry Thomas on sex tourism in the country

Q: Sir, any reaction sa statement ni Ambassador Harry Thomas na 40% ng male tourists ay sex tourism ang habol sa atin?

SP: Siguro 'yun ang kanyang experience. Totoo naman. Maraming nagpupunta rito na mga banyaga, hindi lang sa babae, marami rin nagpupunta rito para sa mga bata. Ngayon, ewan ko kung saan niya nakuha ang statistics niyang 'yon. Palagay ko, baka 'yon ang impormasyon na natanggap niya sa Central Intelligence Agency ng Amerika. Sana ipaliwanag ni Thomas kung saan nanggaling ang kanyang statistics. I hope the American ambassador can clarify his statement and explain where he got the statistics. We're not denying that there are American men who come to the Philippines to enjoy their lives because the Filipinas are attractive but I don't think his statistics are correct.

Q: Pero, sir, hindi ba negative 'yan sa image ng ating bansa na dapat i-address ng ating government?

SP: Well, there are also many foreigners going to America to have sex with American girls and American boys. So, it works both ways. Even Filipinos go there to enjoy beauty of American women.

Q: Sir, sabi ni Senator Lacson, kung walang basehan 'yung sinabi ni Ambassador Thomas ay umuwi na lang siya sa America kasi undiplomatic daw at very insulting 'yung sinabi niya...

SP: Alam mo, siguro, kung ako si Ambassador Thomas ay pag-isipan niya 'yung sinabi niya sapagkat kung ganoon din ang sasabihin natin tungkol sa kanyang bayan, siguro maiinsulto siya, di ba? So, ewan ko lang. Baka siya ay kagaya ko lang na lalaki at barako kaya ganoon ang kanyang paningin.

On the Security Agreement between Japan and Philippines

Q: Sir, game changing ba 'yung bagong security agreement sa Spratlys na ite-train daw 'yung Philippine Military ng Japanese...

SP: Actually, the military training of Japan and the Philippines are almost identical because the Japanese adapted the American system. We adapted the American system. There's no problem about that. Right now, Japan is allied with America. We are also allied with the United States under the Mutual Defense Treaty. So, it is not unusual that we enter into a security arrangement with Japan not because of any antagonism against anybody in the world but it's simply a reality of life having been both under the American sphere of power. We have almost identical weaponry except they have better weapons than we have. In terms of doctrine and tactics, I think we'll benefit out of it.