Transcript of ambush interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On Committee of the Whole

Q: Will next week be the last hearing? SP: Hopefully, yes. Then we will ask the other side to present their evidence, if they want to. Q: If they refuse sir?

SP: Then we will close the hearing. Q: Sir, parang they have waived the right to defend themselves?

SP: That's their responsibility.

Q: Sir, kung 'yung next week ang last hearing sa ethics case, mga ilang days are you giving the Villar camp?

SP: I will give them sufficient time to present their evidence. I cannot say how long. I will think about it.

Q: What is the parliamentary procedure of the Committee of the Whole? Does it make a committee report?

SP: Yes. We have to make a committee report and report it back to the plenary and it will be debated in the plenary.

On Food Shortage

Q: Sir, reaction lang po sa impending food shortages.

SP: I do not know to what extent the two typhoons affected the potential rice supply of the country. In the case of the area that was affected by Ondoy, Central Luzon produces grain. I do not know the how much damage the grain crops of Central Luzon happened by the Ondoy flooding. In the case of Cagayan Valley, Cagayan specifically because it's Cagayan that is affected and part of Apayao, the amount of damage in Cagayan is only for one crop. Normally in Cagayan, we have five croppings in two years. So, they can re-plant, if given the seedlings.

Q: Sir, is there something to be wary about?

SP: No. We have plenty of food here. During my time in the Defense Department, when we had shortage of rice, it's all right. We can mill corn grates and mix it with rice. We have plenty of corn. We are awash with corn.

Q: Sir, there's no need to import rice?

SP: We still have plenty of rice. I do not know if there is any need. I do not know the extent of the existing supply and the anticipated losses. If there's any deficiency, then we have to import.

On State of Calamity

Q: Sir, is there a necessity na gawing one year yung pag-iral nung state of calamity?

SP: It all depends upon on how the water level in the Laguna Lake will recede. I understand that the water level recedes so many inches per month.

Q: Sir, bakit hindi yung specific areas na lang ang under state of calamity? The whole country po kasi.

SP: Well, in the case of Cagayan, madali ang drainage namin doon. We have the biggest river in the country. A week after the rain stops, the place becomes drained of water.

Q: Sir, so kailangan buong bansa po dapat under state of calamity?

SP: I do not know the extent and the effect of these typhoons. In the case of typhoon Ondoy, even Sultan Kudarat was affected. And I do not know the extent of the impact of typhoon Pepeng.

Q: Sir, ang rason po ng Palasyo ay para to fully implement 'yung price control kaya gusto nila i-extend pa until next year.

SP: Well, you need to control the rise of prices of commodities especially prime commodities during periods like this. This is not the first time that that is done. It has been done post-Marcos many times. It has been done during the Marcos years and it was done also even before the Marcos years.

Q: Pero one year? Even after the admin of President Arroyo?

SP: In the case of the flood in 1972, the price control lasted for almost two years because it depends upon the extent of the damage.

Q: Sir, ang concern po ay baka magamit sa election 'yung calamity fund.

SP: No, they cannot use it for the election. It is earmarked for a specific purpose.

Q: Sir, pwede bang ma-outlast 'yung state of calamity sa term ni GMA?

SP: Rehabilitation, yes. It goes beyond the term of the outgoing president.

Q: So sir, pwede pa rin nasa state of calamity even if there is another president?

SP: Yes. The calamity does not disappear overnight. The effect last for some time. 'Yung flooding noong 1972 lasted all the way to 1974. There are scarcities of sugar followed by scarcity of rice, fuel, coconut-based consumer products and then scarcity of grain for producing animal feeds.

Q: Sir, ano na po 'yung status ng joint resolution ninyo for the supplemental budget of P10 billion?

SP: It's being worked out by the House. It must emanate from the House.

Q: So, they haven't initiated it?

SP: I don't know if they have approved the resolution.

Q: Sir, kasi sabi ni Secretary Andaya from P2 billion down to P100 million na lang 'yung fund so where else can they get?

SP: That's the calamity fund. Where will they get it? Well, they can realign the savings of the government.

Q: Sir, ano 'yung chance na ma-approve 'yung supplemental budget for the calamity fund before mag-recess 'yung session?

SP: Medyo malabo na ngayon.

Q: Di ba 'yung target po before...

SP: Sana pero until now, we have not received the resolution from the House and I do not know where Senator Angara is. He is the Chairman of the Finance Committee. (Senator Angara is in Istanbul, Turkey)

Q: Sir, sa meeting niyo sa Sofitel di ba may agreement na i-approve 'yun?

SP: I don't remember.

Q: So walang feedback sir?

SP: Wala pa. That's why I'm waiting for Senator Angara na baka nasa Aurora pa.