Transcript of Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the government paying PIATCO $175 million

SP That's good. At least the government can take over and we will start using a more modern air terminal.

Q Tama lang ba 'yung $175 million?

SP Hindi ko alam. Kung 'yun ang decision, we have to accept it.

On Gov. Tingting Cojuangco running for vice-governor

SP Well and good. If she wants to run, okay.

Q Do you think it its detrimental to what we want to happen in ARMM?

SP No, because if we pass the bill, then the election will stop.

Q May nagsasabi na she is not a resident?

SP That is a matter of fact. I do not know if she can establish her residence, because her residence is in Dasma, in Makati. That's what I know.

Q She has a property in Awang.

SP Well, ownership of property is not establishment of residence.

Q If she wins, do you think it helps?

SP ARMM is intended for the Muslim population of Mindanao. I do not know the religion of Tingting, although the ARMM has no religious content. It is authorized by the Constitution to be created for Muslims, that's why it said Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

On the Government not needing to appeal the decision to pay PIATCO

SP Hindi na siguro mag-aappeal ang gobyerno. Hindi natin alam kung enough 'yun 'dun sa dating nagpagawa nung terminal.

Q Katanggap-tanggap na po 'yung decision na 'yun?

SP Siguro. Sa akin, tatanggapin ko na 'yun kung ako ang gobyerno, para matapos na 'yun. In terms of dollars, what's that, $175 million ba? Times $20,000 per million? Kung P50 ang exchange rate, 'di $20,000 per million. I am just rounding it up. So, if you multiply $175 million by P20, 'yun yun. By P50 pala. That is the equivalent in dollars. Divide it pala.

On the ARMM Bill

Q Sir, tungkol sa ARMM bill, kung ire-report out po yun by next week?

SP That is a certified bill. If there is not too much debate, we can finish it in one day.

Q Kung hindi, pwede po mag-special session?

SP Ako, ang payo ko sa kanila if that is really a part of the program and reform, then I would urge Malacañang to call a special session if we cannot finish it. But I think we can finish it.

On Luisita charging P20 as toll fee for vehicles passing through

SP Kaninong pera ba 'yung ginamit doon to put up the roadway?

Q Luisita daw po ang nagpagawa ng kalsada

SP Nagpagawa ng kalsada? Natural naman, lupa nila 'yun, pagkatapos naglagay sila ng kalsada. Hindi naman pwede na gratis et amore sa publiko 'yun. That's a private property, so they can charge.

Q Sila rin po ang magse-set ng amount?

SP Yes, because that is not a public thoroughfare. Pwede nilang sarhan 'yun kung gusto nila. You cannot do anything about it.

Q Hindi po saklaw ng TRB?

SP Hindi, dahil nga private property. 'Yung aking property, pag pinadaanan mo ng kalsada na wala akong pahintulot, sasarhan ko 'yun. You are taking my property without due process. Now, you want to use my property, and use my road, I can charge you a toll. You have no right to make use of my property without my consent. I can either allow you to go through without payment, or I can charge you.

Q Basta sir hindi government money 'yung ginamit sa pagpapagawa?

SP Oo. Hindi sila ang nagpagawa, at hindi sa kanila 'yung kalsada.

On the increase of unemployment rate in the Philippines

SP Talagang ganyan. Alam mo, kung maraming tao na nangangailangan ng trabaho, walang trabaho, slow-down ang economy kaya kailangan ngayon, lahat ng mga jobs must be protected so that we increase it, not reduce job opportunities in the country.

Q Ano po ang magagawa ng administrasyon kung puro investments?

SP Halimbawa, marami d'yan na nade-derail na negosyo dahil sa hindi dinedesisyunan ng Bureau of Customs 'yung mga kaso nila doon. Nung isang araw, tinawagan ko nga 'yung Secretary of Finance at saka 'yung Bureau of Customs dahil may nagsumbong sa akin na isang negosyante na limang buwan na po na nakasara 'yung aking pabrika, 'yung aking mga warehouses, dahil hindi nagdedesisyon 'yung Customs sa aking kaso. Binigay ko na lahat ang dokumento sa kanila. Sinabi ko, bakit ganyan? Bakit it takes five months for you to make a decision? Make a decision, period, either way, so that businessmen can move on and protect their rights.

Q Ano po 'yung negosyo niya?

SP Nag-iimport siya ng bakal.

Q Nagsara po 'yung kumpanya niya dahil doon?

SP Sinuspend 'yung operation, nawalan ng trabaho 'yung mga tao. What do you expect? Pati 'yung mga nagtatrabaho sa kanya, walang hanap-buhay, walang makain.

On the huge electric bills

Q Di po ba may hindi natapos na review doon sa systems loss ng Meralco?

SP Kaya mayroon tayong Power Commission. 'Yun ang dapat nilang atupagin.

Q Kailangang i-review pa daw po 'yung mga charges?

SP Syempre, all the time that must continue.

Q Wala po kayo nakikitang abuse sa power?

SP Wala naman. I think the systems loss naman of Meralco has gone down. Mataas ang kuryente ngayon, dahil tag-init. Walang tubig. Syempre, 'yung hydro component 'nung power mixture, bababa 'yun. Tataas 'yung mga mahal na mga generated electricity, so they have to adjust their pricing.

On the strong storms being caused by climate change

SP Well, mayroon na akong panukalang batas d'yan, 'yung National Survival Fund. Hinihintay ko na matapos 'yun. Nireport-out na yata ni Loren.