Press Release
October 7, 2009

Transcript of ambush interview with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the 2010 Budget SP: We have to accept the fact that we will have to incur a deficit and we have to spend more. We cannot stop spending otherwise government will stop. You cannot afford to stop government. The lives of the people will have to go on and on.

Q: Sir, will this deficit be covered by whatever donations we'll be having?

SP: No, the deficit will have to be covered by borrowing minus donations, kung ilalagay nila sa general fund 'yung mga donations.

Q: Sir, 'yung bill ninyo sa electricity reduction adopted na ng House?

SP: I don't know. I'm waiting for them to act on it.

Q: Sir, they have adopted your version.

SP: By all means, I have the record of that P62 billion. And I'm going to ask the National Treasury to tell me where this money is deposited. Where is it? They said that it is in the books of the Treasury. Yes, it is in their books but where is it in cash? Where is it deposited? Is it in the vaults of the National Treasury? I want them to account for the P62 billion from the Malampaya proceeds.

Q: Sir, paano kung nagamit na 'yon?

SP: They cannot use that. It's not even a part of the budget. It is not a part of the general fund. If it's part of the general fund, it should have been presented during budget hearings. It's only now that we know that there is such a big amount of money lying somewhere. But where is it? They have to tell us in what banks these are deposited and how much interest has already been earned by this money.

Q: So, P62 billion isang taon lang 'yon?

SP: Hindi, since 2001 yata. I got the certification from the National Treasury.

Q: Sir, bakit noong tinanong ko 'yung taga-Department of Energy, paper trail lang daw sa kanila. Bumabalik daw sa National Treasury.

SP: Kaya nga. Gusto ko malaman kung nasaan 'yan. Nagtuturuan sila. Hindi pwede 'yon. Pipigain namin sila. We will have to get the information from them.

Q: Sir, what is the ramification kung nagalaw na nila?

SP: Some people will have to answer for it. They can go to jail if they have misused it.

Q: Sir, 'yung sa Palawan hindi pa rin nareresolve.

SP: Meron na yatang desisyon ang Korte Suprema diyan. Hindi ko alam.

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