Transcript of from Kapihan sa Senado (excerpts) with Sen. Gringo Honasan

On CARP Extension

The bishops are supporting the Senate version, Senate Bill 2666 , which involves a 147 billion funding; extended for five years yung CARP with extension and reforms. Kaya ang tawag dito sa Senate version ay CARPER, with the following salient features; a very strong oversight mechanism; pay all our obligations; and then continue to consolidate our sorely outdated database. Tomorrow, we'll have a dialogue with the House contingents.

The Senate chose the option of "ICU" rather than "dead on arrival" treatment, with the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and the House over the CARP Extension Law. The bishops are supporting the Senate version. The farmers are supporting the Senate version. Now, we will push and fight for the Senate version that incorporates the reforms that are needed.

Our target approval of the law is June 10, 2009, pag resume ng session, we have about 7 weeks. to push for its approval.

On the flaws of CARP

Kulang tayo sa impact assessment; nakalimutang i- consolidate ang database para we can make minor corrections as we implement the program. But, of course, ang mga kalaban pa rin natin dito ay ang mga may "vested interest" groups.

Masyadong na- politicized ang ating CARP Law. We want to have a uniform application in the new CARPER Law, para objective ang approach dito sa extension ng Agrarian Reform Program.

On the difference between the House and Senate version

Maliwanag sa amin yung Senate version. Very clear kami about the objectives.

On the agenda of tomorrow's meeting with the House contingent

We will thresh this out. We will tell them, with the permission of the Chamber and the Senate President, that we will push and fight for the Senate version which the bishops are supporting.

On the possibility that the 147 billion budget allocation for CARPER will be cut

Open yung Senate Committee na bawasan. Pero, sagutin nila ang pangangailangan. Dahil marami tayong pagkakautang at obligations doon sa kinunan natin ng lupain. By the way, we will be implementing this in several phases. Yung phase 1 ay 50 hectares and above. Uunahin natin yung malalaki. In the old law , national ang scope at uniform ang phase. Ngayon ide-centralize natin. Pag may mga probinsya na naka 90 % of compuslsory acquisition and distribution, then, we'll move into PHASE 2, which is below 50%.

On the function of the Oversight Committee

Reporting. I- monitor natin ito on a monthly, or if possible, on a weekly basis. Doon din kasi nagkukulang. Hindi nagre- report yung dapat mag report. In fact, this issue cuts across all bureaucracy, from Agrarian Reform to Energy.

On whether the Senate can get support from the House

It doesn't matter to us. But the bishops are supporting us. The farmers are supporting us. That's the problem of the House. The Senate is very clear about its objectives. The ultimate beneficiary is the agricultural sector- the farmers. We did our homework.

On the politicians influence on the CARPER Law

Na- de- politicize na namin sa Senado noong mag- caucus kami, nung ipinasa namin yung Resolution. Nag abstain yung mga senador na nangangamba na baka ma- taint ito.

On the disagreeing provisions of CARPER

We will fight for the Senate version in the bicameral conference.I know I have the backing of the Chamber because we are a consensual and collegial body. The House has to resolve this among themselves. And tomorrow might be a good step to dialogue about this issue.

On whether implementation of CARPER Law can be done in 5 years.

We are very confident that it can be done in five years. Out of the 9 million hectares na CARP- able, ang natitira na lang ay 1.6 million hectares.

On issues that lands covered by CARP are being converted into subdivisions

We don't have a Land Use Policy. You cannot blame the farmers. If we have a land use policy in place, we will know what lands we want, based on a national inventory and mapping system, for agricultural, residential, industrial, commercial, even for government centers, educational centers and recreational centers. Wala tayo niyan. Kaya rampant yung conversion, ad hoc pa naman.

OTHER ISSUES

On Jalosjos' freedom

Sinasabi nga double o multiple standard; sa akin no, as a senator, as long as nasunod ang due process. The law is the ultimate measuring device for these things. Whatever we think, however emotional, leave with you the issue . As long as former congressman Jalosjos subjects himself to the laws of the republic and he is a free man because of the law, I have no objection.

Advice to Ping Lacson

I can empathize with him. My advice is for him to submit himself to the law as I did, now I am back to the Senate.

On his comment about a proposal in the House on hybrid, regulated and de- regulated energy industry

As a chairman of your Senate Committee on Energy, we are driven by two objectives: steady supply of power and reasonable prices. If that proposal in the House will respond to these twin objectives, the Senate Committee on Energy, thru the Joint Congreassional Power Commission, which I co- chair w/ Cong. Mikey Arroyo, we'll support that.

On the National ID System

There's basically nothing wrong with that,if it responds to one's objective, it's ok. First we must know how many we are. We must be regulated thru this mechanism of a unified ID, whether we enagage in commercial, economic, political activity, that is the overriding objective. Ang concern ko lang dyan ay huwag lang maabuso to violate fundamental legal and human rights.

On the status of the PNP Bill

Actually it's in limbo dahil kung mapapansin mo sa PNP, hindi dumadaan sa Commission on Appointments , which is the subject of a pending constitutional issue. So the question is why. Baka nagsimula ito doon sa PNP law. Naalala mo during the time of President Aquino, when the PNP law was passed? Kung kailan hiniwalay yung PNP from AFP? Of course, they have a Senior Officers Promotion Board but we hope that this applies uniform standard for promotion and assignment. The other factor that we have to consider is this dichotomy between the NAPOLCOM and the PNP, where the Secretary of DILG wears two hats--as chairman of the NAPOLCOM and secretary of DILG. I mean how can the right hand approve what the left hand is doing, or check or counterbalance. So this has two be resolved. Now the other constitutional issue is more fundamental, the PNP is just a bureau in the DILG, pero may mga nagssabi na bakit yung DILG merong political supervision over local government units and it has an armed group. But that's for the better minds to decide. That's where it is right now. And I don't expect it to be resolved in the near future especially that 2010 just around the corner.

Yung academic qualifications, naipasa na natin. Yung baccalaureate degree, because ang ibig sabihin lang naman noon is dapat may capacity sila to appreciate not only the technical aspect of their jobs as members of the police force that is national in scope but civilian in character. In other words, naka-immerse sila sa populace so dapat very conscious sila on human rights.

Q : Would you advocate that PNP top officials go through the review and confirmation of the Commission of Appointments?

Yes, when the time comes. I am not advocating Cha-Cha. I am just saying "when the time comes". When the people, through a referendum of swords, a consensus will decide that it is time to take a second look at what is perceived to be a flawed constitution, then pag-usapan na natin yun.

Issues on Spratly

My pragmatic view is that it all depends on our ability to enforce our maritime laws, our baselines law. What can we do except to rely on international courts. The preferred mode is a negotiated settlement or maybe, proposals for a joint use. We cannot afford to be confrontational there.

On Nicole's recantation of her testimony

I don't know bakit nag recant. I learned about in the papers.

On Teodoro Bacani's presidential bid

That's his prerogative. But the more the merrier. More choices. Bottom line is, will it be good for the country? That's the ultimate measuring device.

On Gen. Lim's political plan

Again, the more the merrier. Will the entry of Gen. Lim be good for the country? .

Message for the new PMA graduates

Serve our people. You are not anybody's private security agency. You are officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On COMELEC's proposal for a 1- million- bond requirement for presidential candidates

It's just like a policy na kung wala kang pera hindi ka pwedeng tumakbo. Do we accept that as a policy? Ako hindi. I disagree.

On military pull-out in exchange for the release of one Abu Sayaf hostage in Basilan

Well, the policy is no ransom. Itong pull out, side steps, these are technicalities. The objective is to rescue the hostages unharmed. Di bale na mapapahiya ang military by side stepping, basta ma- rescue yung mga hostages unharmed.

On VFA

Tingnan muna natin kung bakit hindi natin ma- enforce in its spirit and letter. I agree with the position of Sen. Pangilinan, na i- revisit natin; not make a blanket proposal for abrogation.

On Dumlao as a state witness

That's procedural. If he volunteers to be a state witness, I don't see anything wrong with that. Now, what happens to his testimony will be a problem of the court.

On the military as an apolitical entity

We have reminded top AFP officials on this, like Gen. Alexander Yano. If ever he becomes the next AFP chief, we will remind him again by the time his new appointment will be taken up at the Commission on Appointment.

On whether Obama's phone call to Malacañang is related to VFA

Whether President Barak Obama called for whatever reason, on our side, dapat klaro na all this must serve, whether we do away with VFA or not, however manner we respond to the presence of Chinese vessels, it must be driven by one measuring device: What will serve our natural interest?