Transcript of Ambush Interview of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III

On the Coco Levy Fund

SP Pimentel: Mali yun. Tatanggalin ang committee but preserve the role of the coconut farmers and we will do it through the PCA. Sayang, e. We have a Philippine Coconut Administration na hindi na-fu-fully utilize to represent the farmers. Aayusin yung compostition.

Q: Pero kasi sir yung PCA yung problema ay mababa yung absorbing capacity nila. Kaya ba yun na sa kanila ibibigay yun?

SPKP: Hindi ibibigay ang pera. Sila ang gagawa ng plano. It's a plan and then ang gagastos ay agencies.

Q: Pero saan papasok dun yung role ng coconut farmers?

SPKP: Sa PCA nga aayusin yung membership. At least six of nine will come from the coconut farmers sector.

Q: Sir, ano yung outcome nung caucus?

SPKP: Wala pa. Ang usapan is magnenegotiate sila. Maguusap pa si Senator Recto and Senator Pangilinan. Maguusap ulit. Hintayin nalang natin. Mahirap magsabi. Kahapon, they tried their best pero walang inabot.

Q: Sir, pero bakit po ngayon na-ra-raise yung issue kasi when the original bill was filed, andun na po yung trust fund committee

SPKP: Wag na tayo umiyak kung ngayon lang na-raise yung issue. Ang importante, na-raise yung issue. Naappreciate yung issue.