Transcript of Interview of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

SPFMD: This is the first time that there are five vice-presidential candidates and plus one presidential candidate, six out of twenty four. We feel left out (laughs). But you know, we are highlighting it because it is extremely difficult to do legislative work today. We have barely making quorum because everybody is out there in the field. It is extremely difficult but we are (unclear)

Q: Indication po ba iyon that yung mga nagiging leader ng bansa, sa Senate nanggagaling?

SPFMD: Hindi naman lahat. Si Ramos was never in the Senate.

Q: On SPFMD's latest SWS ratings

SPFMD: Well ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan sa kanilang pagtitiwala sa akin at talagang tayo po ay nagsisikap na maliban sa politika, nakikita naman ng ating mga kababayan na patuloy ang trabaho namin sa Senado, sa mga importanteng panukalang batas na aming itinutulak.

Ngunit talagang aaminin ko na ang hirap talaga, dahil sa out of 24, 5 ang vice presidential candidates, 1 presidential candidates at 6 na reelectionists. Ngunit nakikita niyo naman na patuloy kami magtrabaho, mahirap mag quorum pero nagkaka-quorum pa rin. Yung aming mga bills on third reading ay naipapasa pa rin with a majority vote. Patuloy lang, we'll keep on struggling. The Bangsamoro Basic Law is difficult to pass before we adjourn on October 10, at last day na bukas. Talagang the BBL will have to wait when we come back in November. We hope to finish it by December.

Q: Kahit yung period of interpellation, mahirap matapos tomorrow?

SPFMD: Mahirap matapos dahil si Sen. Marcos has other appointments outside, so he has not been in the hall. That's the reality that we face.

Q: Mas mahirap ba na pa-attend ng session yung mga tatakbo sa elections next year?

SPFMD: Nasa konsensya na nila iyan. I am sure that they will realize that they are important matters. Magiging issue din iyan kapag hindi nila gagampanan yung kanilang trabaho. I am sure that my colleagues are responsible enough to know that we have job do also and we are here to enact laws.

Q: You're hoping na hindi magiging problema ang quorum when you resume session in November?

SPFMD: I am hoping and I am confident. Hindi naman nangyayari iyan na nawawalan ng quorum.

Q: How close are you to completing the LP senatorial slate?

SPFMD: We will be announcing it by Friday.

Q: Si Tolentino kasama?

SPFMD: Hindi ko alam but we will announce it by Friday.

Q: Si VP Binay, sabi niya may sinister plot para ipakulong siya bago ang election?

SPFMD: Wala kaming planong ganon. Whatever cases he is facing are before the Ombudsman. Pati mga kasama naming sa LP ay nasasampahan ng kaso. We don't have control over the Ombudsman. In fact, she announced that she's investigating Sec. Abad. The Ombudsman is an independent body. We have no control over her and we do not intend to control her.

Q: Pero mas malaki ba chance ni Sec. Roxas without Binay?

SPFMD: I am not somebody with the crystal ball.

Q: Tataas ba ang rating ni Robredo after her announcement?

SPFMD: Sa aking tingin, tataas ang rating ni Congw. Robredo. Anim na buwan ang nakakaraan, ang sabi "mananalo ba iyang si Mar Roxas, apat na puntos lang." Ngayon, he is out there in the thick of the fight. I am certain that with the sincerity shown by Congw. Robredo and she and her husband's adherence to good governance, they are the exemplars of good governance and public service, I am certain that in the next coming months, we will see her ratings improved.