Transcript of Ambush Interview of Sen. Serge Osmena

On Special Powers

Q: What happened during the hearing?

Serge: We were able to determine the dependable capacity during the masikip na masikip na situation from March 15 to April 15 and from April 15 onwards. Nakasagot naman sila na, the very tightest situation will be from April 4 to April 15. So, nakausap na namin ang Kepco na paandarin nila ang 500MW na planta nila. So, solve na iyong shortage problem sa panahon na iyon.

But after that, magkakaroon ng ibang scheduled maintenance from the months of late April and May. So this will be covered by the Interruptible Load Program of about 1,000MW at the time. Pagkatapos makakakuha pa tayo ng about 150-200MW from water. 300p sana pero I found out na mababa ang water levels sa Binga, Angat, San Roque. So we are now praying for a typhoon to hit those areas ? Para umakyat naman ang water level nila.

Q: Does the President still need special powers?

Serge: The special powers will not be as the House envisioned it, na blanket talaga. We will ask for an exemption from the Bio-fuels Act for the gas plants para puwede sila gumamit ng pure fuel instead of bio-fuel. Number2, we will ask for a cost of storage , that will be about less than P40 million for the 500MW of Ilijan. Then, we are also asking for maybe, a refund of only the Interruptible Load Program that will be utilized during the period of Yellow Alert. Hindi pa namin matatantiya kung magkano iyon.

Then we are also asking for an e-vat exemption for those companies who are today exempt from e-vat, like the members of the PEZA, the Philippine Export Processing Zone Authority. And a couple of minor ones. There is also one amendment. We might have to amend the charter of the NGCP, so magkakaroon tayo ng administrator para sa directly connected institutions, like Hanjin, Texas Instruments... iyong malalaki, iyong mga directly connected iyang mga iyan, hindi dumadaan sa Meralco iyan. So, we need to exempt the NGCP kasi sabi ng NGCP wala sa charter nila, hindi sila puwede mag-administer. Sabi ko, madali lang naman iyan. We will amend your charter.

Q: When can the Senate act on this? Kaya pa bukas?

Serge: No, no. We cannot pass that tomorrow kasi we are still waiting for the final draft of the contract for those who are directly connected to the grid. Last night we were here up to 8pm, dini-discuss namin ng Meralco at RESA kung paano gagawin iyon. I hope within 1 week we can reach an agreement. Kung kailangan pa ng tulak, then I will ask the secretary of energy, although he is aware of it already, 'itulak mo na iyon.'

Q: Next year na?

Serge: Definitely we will be ready by the 1st session day, we will have the committee report ready for signing during the 1st session day of January. Kung hindi mahaba, if the interpellations in the floor will not take long, we can approve this. But then, we have to sit down with the House and I will do that before sessions start. I will sit down with Cong. Umali at sasabihin ko, 'eto po ang magiging Resolution ng Senado.'... if majority of my members support it. Tapos, eto ang differences with the House. Then we will try to harmonize.

On NBP Special Treatment

Q: Can you comment on the lifestyle check done on the NBP? Meron bang dapat tanggalin?

Serge: That seems to have been going on for a long time. Heads should roll already. Hindi puwedeng sabihin ng head ng Bucor (Bureau of Corrections) na hindi mo alam iyan. Anong hindi mo alam! You're either lying, or you're incredibly incompetent. And in either case, you should go.

Q: Should cases be filed now?

Serge: Dapat kasuhan iyan. Infidelity in the custody of prisoners. Corruption. Marami iyan.