Press Release
July 24, 2012

Transcript of Ambush Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce

On the Legislative Calendar

Q: Sir, there will be adjustments in your schedule this year so that the congressmen can go back to their provinces to register?

SP: Yes. That was already done so to give them time to go and file their certificates of candidacy.

Q: Sir, for the record, ilan nga 'yung provinces na hahatiin?

SP: Dalawa. Hindi naman namin hahatiin. We will just enable them to submit the matter to the people of the province concerned and let the people themselves, decide the separation.

On the RH Bill

Q: Sir, kahapon binanggit ni Presidente 'yung Responsible Parenthood sa SONA kahapon. On the part of the Senate, do you feel any pressure for you to pass the RH Bill?

SP: Wala. No pressure. The President knows that all legislation is open to debate. Alam naman nya 'yon. Galing siya sa House, galing siya sa Senado. Alam niya 'yon.

Q: How do you interpret that statement?

SP: That is a statement of his desire to the extent that we can accommodate it, we will accommodate it but if not, we will say, "We beg your pardon."

Q: Sir, endorsement na ba iyon maituturing?

SP: No. That is his wish list. Di ba? That is the wish list of the President. I have dealt with many presidents. They have their own wish list. They are operating within a democratic setting. They know that everything is subject to be debated.

On Charter Change

Q: Sir, kung 'yung Responsible Parenthood nabanggit, hindi po nabanggit 'yung Cha-Cha, hindi siya na-mention kahit isang beses. What do you make of that?

SP: Hindi pa namin napapag-usapan. Pag-uusapan namin 'yun one of these days.

On the Sin Taxes

Q: Sir, sin taxes binanggit kahapon ng President...

SP: Priority niya 'yun. Alam niya na kami na nasa law-making body, pag-uusapan namin 'yun. Hindi naman dahil sinabi ng Presidente, 'yun na ang version na masusunod. He's just suggesting that's needed and we respect that. We respect the wish of the President but as legislators we will have to see whether the people can afford it the way it was proposed or there is some degree of improvement has to be done.

Q: Sir, 'yung isa pa pong bill na binanggit ni Presidente is shares on mining revenue...

SP: Susuportahan namin 'yun. That is a depleting resource. So, kailangan lalaki ang share ng bayan dun sa tinatanggal na kayamanan sa Pilipinas. Kung ako lang ang masusunod, kailangan ang proceeds ng mineral na tinatanggal sa Pilipinas, ibalik sa Pilipinas. I-invest dito at kung 'yung mga minero na banyaga ay gusto nilang umalis sa Pilipinas, ipagbili 'yung investment na iyon sa iba na gustong bumili in order for them to re-export the money that they realized in developing and exporting our natural resources.

On the JBC

Q: Sir, sa JBC po, ano 'yung magiging position ng Senate?

SP: Ang JBC pag-uusapan namin sa Biyernes.

Q: Without Speaker, sir?

SP: Kaming dalawa ni Speaker.

Q: Pero as of now, may position na po ba kayo na dapat si Senator Chiz ang dapat mag-represent sa Congress?

SP: Pag-uusapan pa nga namin sa Biyernes.

Q: Sir, kung sa Friday pa kayo mag-uusap ni Speaker Belmonte, doon sa live media interview, sinong magre-represent ng Congress? Si Congressman Tupas na lang po ba?

SP: In the meantime, mag-jack-en-poy na lang si Neil Tupas at si Chiz. Walang biro, pag-uusapan nila 'yun.

On the third AMLA Amendment

Q: Sir, the President also mentioned the third AMLA Amendment...

SP: Oo, meron 'yun pero titingnan naming kung kailangan pa o hindi. Kung kailangan, how far do we go?

On the LP-NP-NPC Coalition

Q: Sir, 'yung binubuo pong coalition ng LP, NP at NPC. Do you think this will affect...

SP: Hindi namin pinapakialaman 'yung ibang partido. Kami sa UNA, hindi namin pinakikialaman. Hindi nila kami pinakikialaman.

On the rumors of a change in Senate leadership

Q: Sir, nagkaroon ng rumors na pwede raw makaapekto sa Senate leadership 'yung coalition...

SP: Syempre. Pwede. Ako naman, I am waiting for my replacement.

Q: You are not threatened?

SP: I don't feel threatened. Wala naman akong vested right in my position. I can be changed anytime by my peers.

Q: Pero sir, you have heard the rumors that Sen. Franklin Drilon might replace you?

SP: It's okay. Everything depends upon my peers.

Q: Sir, may na-elect na mayor ng China sa Sansha City, part ng Spratlys...

SP: Pabayaan mo silang maging mayor ng mga ibon. Wala namang mga tao doon.

Q: Hindi kaya ito ang move nila para malagyan ng tao?

SP: Mayroon bang lupa doon sa Sansha? Kagaya ng Scarborough na sinasabi nilang sa kanila, lagyan nila ng dalawang tao baka masikip na sa kanila 'yun.

News Latest News Feed