Transcript of Interview with Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

Q: Priority bills for Monday during opening of Congress

SPFMD: Well, once we receive the draft for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, it will be the highest priority. Whenever it is submitted, we will work hard so that we can meet the target ratification by second half of the next year, so we can have the government in place once this administration ends in June of 2016.

Second, we will be working on the national budget. By the time that we will work on the budget, I assume the DAP issue would have been already decided by the Supreme Court. So under the guidance of the Supreme Court rulings on the motion for reconsideration, we will be drafting the national budget.

Third, we would like to work on education bills, which is a critical element of our economic development regarding our manpower and human resources. Also in full view of the anti-corruption and good governance we will continue to push for the amendment of the Sandiganbayan Law, which is yet to be approved in the House of Representatives.

In the field of business, we would like to pursue the Anti-Unfair Competition Act, which we expect to debate upon in the 2nd half of the 2nd Regular Session. So these are some the things that we would focus on in the 2nd Regular Session of the 16th Congress.

Q: Dun sa Bangsamoro Basic Law, may assurance na ba ng submission? May reports kasi na hindi acceptable ang MILF doon sa mga inalter ng Malacanang.

SPFMD: We cannot afford to fail as far as the Bangsamoro Basic Law is concerned. We must have something in place so that the Bangsamoro Basic Law will provide stability and improvements in the economic life of the region. Whatever decision - I am not familiar with the updates at this point - I urge both parties to come up with an agreement. Pare-pareho tayong mga Pilipino. Kailangan natin magkasundo para sa kapakanan ng lahat, sa ating kinabukasan.

I am asking everyone to maintain an open mind on the various issues. We have gone a long way. Ang importante sa akin, lahat ng ating paguusapan ay dapat sumunod sa ating Saligang Batas. It is critical that we come up with an acceptable solution for both sides.

Q: We thought the schedule has been set?

SPFMD: The schedule for us is that we must have the government in place when the administration comes out in 2016. Yuon ang ating timetable. Kailangan may bagong tayong istraktura na para sa Bangsamoro sa pagtapos ng termino ng Pangulong Noynoy Aquino. Q: Natanggap niyo na po ba yung suspension order ni Senator Estrada?

SPFMD: Natanggap na namin. By the very order, it says that the suspension is effective immediately unless a motion for reconsideration is filed. The senator has 15 days to submit a motion. We will act accordingly once the Sandiganbayan has disposed of the motion if one is filed, or if none, by the end of the 15 day period, which began since I received the copy last Friday.

Q: So within these 15 days pwede pa mag-file ng bill si Senator Jinggoy?

SPFMD: Correct. That is the staus quo.

Q: On Sen. Enrile's statement that he will question the suspension order

SPFMD: That issue has been decided when the Supreme Court made a distinction between the power of the Senate to punish its members and the preventive suspension. There is a very basic difference. The power of the Senate is to impose a penalty, which is suspension for 60 days. What the Anti-graft Law could do is a preventive suspension.

The penalty of suspension is governed by the institution, of the Senate, which is supreme. Only the Senate can impose the penalty for its members for 60 days. On the other hand, the Anti-Graft Law is applicable to all government officials, and is a preventive suspension for 90 days. By its very nature, its purpose is to prevent the respondent from using his office to influence the investigation. There is no penalty in that, since that is only imposed by the Senate. The Supreme Court was clear on that.

Q: Walang magagawa ang Senate but to implement the preventive suspension?

SPFMD: That is correct. That is also the decision of the Supreme Court. The Sandiganbayan has also no discretion on this. It really has to be imposed.

Q: Will you attend tomorrow's Finance Committee hearing on DAP?

SPFMD: I have been notified. I will look into my schedule. It is in my calendar.

Q: Is this a good opportunity for him to explain DAP?

SPFMD: Certainly.