Transcript of Ambush Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the possible senate investigation on Comelec Chief Andres Bautista

Drilon: I do not know if the Blue Ribbon should take recognition over that because it is a possible impeachment case; and if the House of Representatives decides that it is an impeachable offense and brings to us the impeachment complaint, then we become juror or judges. And what the senate blue ribbon will investigate will be the same subject matter that the impeachment court will investigate. So before the blue ribbon takes jurisdiction, I will strongly suggest that this issue of jurisdiction be first tackled and decided.

Under our rules, the jurisdiction of the committee must be resolved by the committee itself, which will make a report to the plenary.

Q: For referral na today yung reso.

Drilon: The senate acts through the senators in plenary. But I repeat, the basic issue of jurisdiction: if the alleged act constitutes impeachable offenses and if an impeachment complaint is filed in the house and the house would impeach the Comelec chief, then the senate acts as an impeachment court as you've seen in the past, and the allegations - the matter that will be investigated by the blue ribbon committee - will precisely be the matter to be investigated by the impeachment court.

Q: Is it better to wait and see if the house files an impeachment?

Drilon: I'm just stating an opinion.

Q: Kung walang mag-file ng impeachment, pwede?

Drilon: How can you make that premise?