Press Release
April 21, 2009

Ambush interview with Sen. Zubiri after the caucus

On caucus:

Q: Iyong 5-days na binigay kay Sen. Villar?

SJMZ: No status quo muna because they're asking for 5-days, until Monday to give their suggestion

Q: So the clock will stop the 5-day ...

SJMZ: Yes, wala muna pumayag naman si Sen. Ping.

Q: Wala munang magre-refer sa issue?

SJMZ: Wala muna. Monday we're going to discuss the suggestions amongst the minority and majority caucuses

Q: Including sa media wala munang magsasalita?

SJMZ: Yes. Sorry. That means ceasefire muna.

Q: Does that mean Villar got a reprieve?

SJMZ: Hindi naman reprieve it's just that we're trying to be civil. Civility rules today. In other words we're all elected senators naman at saka lahat naman kami co-equal so, ang request lang ng minority give them time to suggest a process. Ang suggestion din ng majority kailangan din namin ng time to answer your process. So, Monday iyong araw na iyon at for the meantime trabaho muna kami kaya ang dami namin i-a-approve bukas.

Q: So Villar is not yet off the hook?

SJMZ: (laughs) Hindi nga ako puwedeng magsalita. (laughs) Fishing expedition ha.

Q: You mentioned about suggestions. Ano iyong mga suggestions na na-tackle?

SJMZ: We're not allowed to say.

Q: Sino iyong mga nandoon? Ilan?

SJMZ: Iyong nandito about 14. May mga na-late like si Sen. Angara nandito pala.

Q: Iyong revamp ng ethics kasama sa suggestion kasama?

SJMZ: Wala akong naalala e.

Q: ??????

SJMZ: So, tigil munang putukan. Tigil munang away, bangayan para at least bukas sana bigyan naman ako ng pagkakataon na ipasa ko iyong mga bills na naka-pending sa plenary. As Majority Floor Leader iyan ang sinasabi ko pagnagaaway-away iyong senado wala po tayong ma-aaprove. Dalawang araw na wala tayong naipasa. So, hopefully by tomorrow my agreement din kami after the caucus na kung hindi masyadong controversial iyong measure ia-approve na lang namin expeditiously itong mga measures na ito para ng sa ganun ay meron din tayong legislative output at hindi puro away.

Q: Walang napag-desisyunan today dun sa caucus? Kasi isa sa sinasabi ng minority kanilang isusulong nga iyong pag-revamp sa ethics committee.

SJMZ: Kasi hindi po puwedeng mag-commit si Senate President Enrile na hindi niya pa nakakausap iyong members of the majority kaya kailangan po namin ng panahon which is 5-days para makapag-meeting po kami either tomorrow or Monday in a caucus.

Q: Ibig sabihin ba kakaunti iyong um-attend na mga from the majority?

SJMZ: Hindi naman mga katorse din kami pero may halo din minority iyon e, gusto ni Senate President meron majority caucus at pagusapan iyon dun sa majority caucus.

Q: So walang nangyari naman na matinding debate na naman? Extension ng debate dun sa caucus?

SJMZ: Wala naman. Cooler heads will prevail at iyong mga discussions nila medyo lowered na iyong tone of voice nila at hindi na nagsisigawan at medyo light po iyong discussions. Serious but in a light mode, so Maganda. Ang importante diyan ceasefire muna at all sides agreed to the ceasefire.

Q: So magkakaroon ng another caucus by Monday?

SJMZ: Yes another caucus by Monday.

Q: Does this mean na you're considering iyong request ng minority to change Ping?

SJMZ: (laughs) Hay! Kain na muna tayo.

Q: Do you see a compromise shaping up?

SJMZ: All I can say is we have agreed, all, all members na nag-attend ng caucus have agreed to first sit down and rationally think of suggestions para masulong natin itong problema sa ethics committee. Ang minority ay humingi ng limang araw para makabigay po sila ng recommendations sa majority. Iyong majority din humingi ng limang araw para makipag-meeting tungkol sa kanilang mga suggestions. At the meantime ceasefire na muna at magkakaroon po ng status quo in terms of the cases in the committee on ethics until this is resolve. Iyan ang kagandahan po noon dahil para sa akin as Majority Floor Leader ay puwede na po akong makapagpasa ng mga bills na pending dito sa plenary. Because as you can see kapag nagaaway-away ang mga senador wala po tayong naipapasang batas. So, I'm hoping tomorrow with this ceasefire we can pass several pieces of legislation.

Q: When will they resume deliberation?

SJMZ: Monday we will discuss again on the suggestion and then after the suggestions have been agreed upon then we can continue with the deliberations pero marami kasing tine-take up na suggestions and I'm not at liberty to say. Meron kaming gag order, a self-imposed gag order.

Q: So, Monday is the resumption of hostilities?

SJMZ: Hindi naman. Monday is the submission of suggestions.

Q: Naka-isip lang kayo ng mas magandang term sa stalemate ano?

SJMZ: Ceasefire, I think that's the most diplomatic approach. Wala din gustong may away sakit lang sa ulo iyan e.

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