Press Release
July 31, 2013

Transcript of Ambush Interview of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

On PDAF

Q: Sir, sabi po ni Senator Miriam i-cut in half iyong pork barrel every year hanggang mawala na...

SP: I support that because from the very start I said na ako'y sang-ayon na alisin ang PDAF. The proposal of Miriam appears to be feasible.

Q: Sir, kailangan pa ng legislation sa gradual na pag-cut ng pork barrel?

SP: Hindi. Ibaba mo na lang ang budget for PDAF under the General Appropriations Act.

Q: Pero sir, paano naman iyong nagsasabi na nakakatulong naman ang PDAF sa mga constituents?

SP: Ako mismo nagsasabi noon dahil ang aking PDAF alam niyo naman kung saan ko nilalagay. Siguro dahil maraming nagbabatikos, mas mabuti sigurong the line agencies do whatever is needed in order to help.

Q: Do you think susuportahan ng majority ng Senate and proposal ni Senator Miriam?

SP: I could not speak for them.

Q: Sir, sabi niyo na nakakatulong naman, ano ang dapat gawin para mawala iyong impression na evil ang pork barrel?

SP: Sa akin una, sinabi ko na noon, siguro ilagay natin sa mga government hospitals para makatulong sa mga mahihirap at huwag na natin isama iyong mga livelihood dahil diyan nakikita ang hindi magandang gawa.

Q: Sir, the House plans to probe the alleged misuse of the PDAF. Should the senators attend the probe as inter-parliamentary courtesy?

SP: I leave it to the senators but as a matter of inter-parliamentary courtesy we do not ask members of either House to attend hearings.

On the SK elections

Q: Sir, may proposal si Senator Marcos to scrap the SK elections this year tapos i-synchronize na sa 2016.

SP: I don't think we have time for that. We have to consult Comelec. Yes, it's a good proposition considering that the Comelec itself is asking for postponement. The only problem is that if you do it simultaneously, the ballot will be very long.

Q: Sir, clarify ko lang po iyong kay Senator Marcos, cancel lang iyong SK, pero iyong barangay tuloy...

SP: I support that. No problem.

Q: Hindi na po kaya ng oras?

SP: I don't really know.

Q: Sir, ngayong may mga members na sa CA, next few hearings ba may confirmation na sa mga Cabinet secretaries.

SP: Well, we have to organize the CA and the constitution in one month. From the opening of Congress in July 22, we have already completed the membership so we should call the CA organizational meeting probably next month.

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