Press Release
November 15, 2011

Transcript of Interview of Sen. Franklin Drilon

Q: Sir, ano lang po ang mga expectations natin for the day?

Sen. Franklin M. Drilon: Well, we had a caucus yesterday and we presented the schedule of the budget. We hope to finish the debates by Friday. By Monday, the 22nd of November, we hope to approve the budget on Second and Third Reading so that we can go to bicam on the 23rd. That is the proposed schedule that was approved yesterday in the caucus. So, starting this morning, when we sponsor the budget, we will commence with the debates everyday until Friday.

Q: Sir, anong magiging schedule? Morning, tanghali hanggang gabi?

FMD: Umaga, tanghali, hapon, hanggang gabi.

Q: Sir, yung gabi mga hanggang anong oras?

FMD: Depende kung gaano karami ang tanong ng aking mga kasamahan but we are prepared to defend the budget. 45 hearings ang ginawa ng Committee on Finance pati yung sa technical working group. And we are prepared to defend the budget. This is a budget biased for the poor, para po sa mahihirap, derecho sa tao at sa aking tingin, ito po ay dapat nating suportahan. Ang mga prinsipyo na malinis at transparent governance. Yun pong budget para sa mahihirap. Halimbawa, meron tayong P39 billion para sa Conditional Cash Transfer. Yun pong sa Philhealth, meron pong nakalaan na P12 billion para sa premium sa mga mahihirap, enrolment ng mahihirap sa ating Philhealth. This will cover 5.2 million poorest of the poor in our country. Ako po'y umaasa na bago po mag-break sa Disyembre 17, mapipirmahan po ng Pangulong Noynoy ang 2012 budget.

Q: Sir, walang reenactment?

FMD: Walang reenactment.

Q: Sir, confident kayo na yung sa CCT, it will be approved in full?

FMD: We have recommended the approval in full of the CCT and in fact we have reduced the administrative cost of the CCT by P800 million in order so that there will be additional 63,000 beneficiaries. We reduced the cost of administration.

Q: Sir, sa House ba may ni-reduce din na ganun na administrative expenses sa CCT?

FMD: Wala akong alam.

Q: Sir, for administrative expenses, idadagdag nalang para mas maraming coverage?

FMD: Oo, mas maraming coverage.

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