Drilon: Treaty or agreement? Let SC on decide on EDCA

Press Release

30 April 2014

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano

 

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon advised critics of the recently-signed Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the Philippines and the United States to bring their concerns to the Supreme Court.

“It would be wise to bring up to the Supreme Court the debate on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, for it is only the high court that can resolve with finality if the EDCA is a treaty that requires the concurrence of the Senate, or an executive agreement which the executive has the power under the Constitution to execute and implement,” said Drilon.

The Senate leader’s recommendations came after several quarters including lawmakers have expressed apprehension over the lack of congressional involvement in the agreement, which was signed last April 28 during the two-day Philippine visit of US President Barack Obama.

Drilon, a former executive and justice secretary, acknowledged the concerns about the EDCA’s conformity to the 1987 Constitution as “legitimate and valid,” and suggested that the EDCA be lodged at the Supreme Court, who will have the power to determine if the agreement must be first ratified as a treaty in Senate before it can be implemented.

“I urge everyone who opposed EDCA to go the Supreme Court, which is the only body that could finally decide whether this is a treaty which would require ratification by the Senate, or an executive agreement which will be implemented by a mere signature of the executive branch,” he said, adding that the SC is the “ultimate arbiter” in this issue.

He said it depends on the executive branch if it thinks the Senate concurrence is needed before the agreement is implemented. But he said the Senate can only act on it officially if executive branch decides to submit the document to the upper chamber.

“If the document is not sent to us, then we have nothing to ratify officially. So I would go back to my suggestion: bring it to the Supreme Court, who is the ultimate arbiter whether this is a treaty or an executive agreement,” said Drilon. ###

Drilon: Gov’t needs to hire more gov’t prosecutors to boost war vs criminality

Press Release
23 April 2014
Refer to: Jeeno Arellano 

(0917.540.9618)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today underscored the need to beef up the nation’s cadre of prosecutors, who are crucially involved in the country’s intensifying efforts to fight corruption and arrest criminality in the country.

The Senate leader, who was the guest speaker at the 26th National Convention of the Prosecutors League of the Philippines held today/April 23 in Legazpi, Albay, said that the magnitude of crime and corruption faced by the nation today “must make us all realize just how important is the country’s ability to prosecute criminals and promote the full iron rule of law.”

Drilon believes that the efficient prosecution of crimes will enforce an effective system of deterrence throughout the land.

“When we put these rogues in jail, we send the signal that no one is above the law. We make a strong statement that the law is always on the side of the victims and not on the side of the criminals regardless of their economic and social status,” stressed Drilon, a former Justice Secretary who had been known for his advocacy “Justice Agad.”

According to Drilon, prosecutors are indispensable in “gaining the trust and confidence of our people in the country’s justice system.”

“Our prosecutors play a huge role in bringing the perpetrators of every imaginable crime behind bars, where they rightfully belong,” he said.

With this, the Senate chief vowed that the Congress will continue to provide budgetary support for the hiring of prosecutors until the desired ratio of one prosecutor for every regional trial court is achieved.

In 2014, the Congress increased the budget for Prosecution Services to P2.6 billion from P2.5 billion in 2013. It also allocated funds to improve infrastructure of halls of justice, including the repair and improvement of existing courts and prosecutors’ offices.

“We expect that support to manifest unto tangible results for the country’s anti-criminal and corruption efforts,” concluded Drilon. ###

Transcript of DZRH Interview with Senate President Franklin Drilon by Joe Taruc

Q: Una po sa lahat, Senate President, batiin po namin kayo sa pagtaas ng inyong popularity and trust ratings.
SPFMD: Maraming salamat po Manong Joe. Yung nakalipas na dalawang survey, bumaba po ang ating performance at trust rating, dahil na rin po sa imbestigasyon sa pork barrel scam sa Senado, kung saan po nasangkot ang ating tatlong kasama. Noon pa man, ako po ay naniniwala  na kapag naipakita natin sa taumbayan na wala tayong itinatago, at tayo po ay kumikilos sa paghahanap ng katotohanan, ay diyan po natin maibabalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan.

Nakikita natin sa nakalipas na tatlong buwan, ayon sa huling survey ng Pulse Asia ay tumaas ang ating trust rating ng 15 porsyento, at ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa taumbayan, at asahan po ninyo na  patuloy na paghahanap ng katotohanan sa Senado, at gagampanan natin nang maigi ang ating trabaho upang ayusin at makatulong sa kabuhayan ng ating mamamayan dito sa bansa.

Q: At siguro, ang katotohanan ay habang patuloy ang iba’t ibang imbestigasyon ng mga komite ng Senado, ay patuloy din ang paggiling ng mga batas na pakikinabangan ng ating mga kababayan.
SPFMD: Tama po iyan, sa darating na linggo, ating tatalakayin kapag sinumite na ng Malacanang ang Bangsamoro Basic Law, kung saan makakapagdulot po ito ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Kapag nagkaroon po kasi ng kapayapaan, magkakaroon ng pag-unlad sa kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na our Muslim brothers and sisters dun po sa Mindanao.

Q: Well, ngayon lang po kayo matatanong kung ano ang naging reaksyon ninyo sa pagdating ni Atty. Gigi Reyes.
SPFMD: Sa akin po, yaan ay kanyang logical move. Mahirap naman po kasi na magtatago pa siya sa ibang bansa. Hindi naman pwedeng habambuhay ay magtatago ka. Mabuti na umuwi siya. Harapin niya ang kaso, total nandiyan na po iyan. Meron naman pong patakaran ang ating batas, ang ating husgado na kung saan ang talagang nagkasala ay makukulong at yung walang sala ay ma-acquit.

Sa akin po iyan talaga ang logical move para sa kanya. Come home, face the charges, and defend herself at court.

Q: What about yung possibility na maging state witness siya dito sa pork barrel scam?
SPFMD: Alam mo Joe, under sa Rules of Court at ng Witness Protection Program, ito pong pagiging state witness ay may mga prerequisites. Unang una, siya po ay kailangan na least guilty. Number two, ang kanyang testimonya ba ay kailangan para ma-convict yung principal mastermind, at sino ba ang principal mastermind? Wala bang sapat na kondisyon para ma-convict kung wala siya?

Iyan po ang mga kondisyon. Ang tanging makakapagsabi lamang po kung siya ay magiging state witness ay ang Ombudsman, dahil ang Ombudsman ang mag-po-prosecute ng kaso na ito. Hindi po natin alam lahat to what extent ang hawak nilang ebidensiya, at sa tingin ng Ombudsman, kung si Gigi Reyes ay qualified. Iyan po ay nasa kapangyarihan na ng Ombudsman.

Q: Bilang Pangulo ng Senado, would you say nitong Blue Ribbon Committee investigation ay in order?
SPFMD: Sa akin po, unang una, iyan po ay nasa Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman. Pangalawa, hindi ko pa po alam ang status ng BRC report, kung yun po ay na-approve na ng majority at kung naisumite na sa Senado. Huwag po nating kalimutan na ang Senate investigation ay in aid of legislation. At kung kailangan pa po ang investigation in aid of legislation, iyan po ay nasa Chairman na.    

Q: So, ang bola po ngayon ay nasa Ombudsman na? 
SPFMD: Tama po iyan Joe. Ang bola ay nasa Ombudsman insofar as determining kung sino po ang dapat maging state witness. Sa kasong ito, dahil wala pa pong naisampa sa Sandiganbayan, nasa Ombudsman pa, that is why it is still within the control of the Ombudsman kung sino po ang gagawing state witness. Uulitin ko, mayroon pong mga criteria sa ilalim ng Witness Protection Program at sa Rules of Court. Unang-una, yung witness ay siya ang least guilty at not the most guilty. Pangalawa, yung kaniya bang testimony ay kailangan to convict the principal accused. Iyan po ang mga criteria na kailangang tingnan ng Ombudsman bago siya magpasiya na si Atty. Reyes ay dapat maging state witness.

Q: Kapag na-i-file na ba ang kaso sa Sandiganbayan, iyon ay mangangahulugan ng automatic suspension ng mga akusadong senador?
SPFMD: Sang-ayon sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema doon sa kaso ni Gob. Deloso, ang suspension po ng public official na nasampahan ng kaso ay automatic po. Ang kailangan lang ay isang motion galing sa Ombudsman na ihahain doon sa Sandiganbayan, upon the filing of the motion to suspend, walang pong discretion ang Sandiganbayan kundi suspendihin ang official sang-ayon po sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa kaso ni Gob. Deloso ng Zambales.

Q: At wala rin pong kapangyarihan ang Pangulo ng Senado na mag-assume ng jurisdiction sa mga akusado?

Wala pong kapangyarihan ang Pangulo ng Senado dahilan po ang tinatawag na custody – iyan po sa Rules of Court ay tinatawaga na recognizance  - ibig sabihin, yung isang akusado ay pwede mong ilagay sa kapangyarihan ng isang mamayan. Ngunit iyan po ay sa mga krimen lamang na may bail. Dahilan po ang recognizance ay para po hindi na maghain ng bail bond ang isang akusado. Samakatuwid, kung ang offense ay bailable; kapag non-bailable offense kagaya ng plunder, yung recognizance po ay iyan hindi po pwede kapag plunder.###

Drilon welcomes increased trust and approval ratings

Press Release

21 April 2014

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (09272286617)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today welcomed the latest Pulse Asia survey showing the steady return of public approval and trust to his office, while vowing to step up ongoing efforts that would “rightfully restore the people’s trust and respect to the honored halls of the Senate.”

“I am happy that our countrymen are beginning to recognize our efforts to win back the confidence and trust of our people in their lawmakers and in the institution, in general, which undeniably had severely eroded due to the pork barrel scam controversy,” said Drilon.

“The pork barrel scam controversy was the biggest challenge we had to face shortly after I assumed the position of the Senate President in 2013. Considering the enormity of people’s outburst and anger towards their lawmakers, the task of regaining the confidence was extremely hard. But we rose to the challenge by ensuring reforms and definite actions would be in place and these have vindicated us, gradually endearing ourselves again to our people,” he added.

He cited as the biggest reform the Senate had undertaken in 2013 the abolition of the pork barrel even before the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.

The most recent poll conducted by Pulse Asia Survey showed that the public approval and performance rating for the Senate leader has climbed back to 58 percent, after his approval ratings moved down to 43 percent in December 2013 from 50 percent in September 2013.

The survey also shows a modest decrease in the number of Filipinos who showed disapproval towards Drilon from 21 percent in December 2013 to 18 percent in March 2014. Those who were “undecided” regarding Drilon’s performance as the leading lawmaker of the land also decreased by 2 percent from 25 percent last December to 23 percent this March.

Drilon’s public trust ratings have also made a comeback – rising from 40 percent last December to 55 percent today, even surpassing his initial rating shortly after he assumed Senate Presidency pegged at 46 percent in September 2013.

Distrust ratings for the senator went down to 18 percent from 21 percent last December, with undecided ratings going down to 26 percent from the previous 39 percent.

Drilon said he is immensely grateful to the Filipino people, saying that the results confirm that the “public has acknowledged the concrete actions we have taken in terms of advancing national development, aiding the poor, promoting justice, eliminating corruption, and establishing transparency through effective legislation and national policies.”

“My previous ratings were affected by political attacks against me, and as well as the understandable wave of public disaffection to their leaders during the outbreak of the pork barrel scam. But as we can see here, the public knows who are working with them and for their cause,” the lawmaker explained.

   

Drilon is firm however, that public trust is never earned so lightly: “As Senate President, I recognize the gravity of the undertakings we must do to earn back the favor of our citizenry, and we intend to deliver the necessary reforms and actions, no matter the cost, or how difficult it may be.”

He thus vowed to work harder to restore the people’s trust in the Senate which had been critically affected by the pork barrel scam controversy.

The most recent study conducted by Pulse Asia Survey show that the Senate's overall public perception of performance and public awareness rating has been pegged at 41 percent – not far from the 45 percent performance rating given by the public to the institution last December.

    

The Senate chief also appealed to his fellow lawmakers to bolster their efforts in winning back the people’s trust by better legislative performance.

Drilon detailed how the Senate is gearing up to work on “a priority list of measures that would improve the lives and economic welfare of our people, and those that would improve the system of governance and eliminate corruption and abuse of power from the national bureaucracy.” 

‘We in Congress are set to work on measures such as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the Freedom of Information Act, along with laws that would reinforce the government’s arsenal of anti-corruption measures such as the amendments to the Sandiganbayan Law in order to speed up the disposition of cases in the anti-graft court, the Whistle Blowers Protection act and amendment to the Witness Protection Program” he said.

He likewise pointed to several measures that would pumprime the economy such as the amendments to the BOT Law, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Cabotage Law, EPIRA, and the Fiscal Incentive Rationalization Act, the Rationalization of Mining Revenues.

“We have to remember that economic progress is only good if it leads to improved social and economic conditions for the citizenry. We have made sure that while we are striving for policies that focus on long-term macroeconomic gains, there even stronger efforts to uplift depressed sectors, and uphold the financial interests of the everyday Filipino,” Drilon said.

He then pointed to measures in the priority list calling for a Consumer Protection Act, an Anti-Trust Act, and the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises as development institutions across the country, as well as the student loan program and the institutionalization and promotion of open high school system and distance education in the country.  ###

Drilon to Congress: Be active on Bangsamoro basic law debate

Press Release
27 March 2014
Refer to :Jeeno Arellano

(09272286617)

“Take an active role in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and passionately debate on the most pertinent issues about the peace accord.”

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon issued this call to his colleagues in Congress and urged them to devote time and effort in scrutinizing the draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law when it reaches Congress.

“Soon, the ball will be in Congress’ hands. It is the Congress that will ultimately shape and mold the piece of legislation which will breathe life to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” emphasized Drilon, a former executive and justice secretary.

 “We cannot afford to err on this most-sought piece of legislation, if we truly want to secure this peace in Mindanao which we have now realized after decades of hostilities. It is therefore incumbent upon us to make sure that the efforts exerted by both panels will not be put in vain, by ensuring that the Bangsamoro Law falls within the four corners of the Constitution, and  that it can withstand judicial scrutiny,” Drilon stressed.

The Senate leader underscored that the law, which should be passed as early as possible, needs “to be responsive to the real and distinct problems and needs of the Bangsamoro people.”

“This measure should resolve social tensions, poor infrastructure, and lack of economic development in the region. It will demand from our lawmakers their utmost prudence, practicality and political acumen,” he added.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had earlier agreed to include the Bangsamoro Basic Law in their priority agenda, and both chambers committed to pass it by the end of 2014. “That is our target because we want to see 2015 as the year when we can submit this for ratification by the areas covered by the Bangsamoro Basic Law.”

The Senate leader is optimistic that the historic accord can effectively realize the promise of long-lasting peace and development for Mindanao.

Drilon congratulated the government, the OPAPP, and the MILF panels for having been able to complete “the almost-Herculean challenge of establishing peace in Mindanao,” saying that the whole affair has been made possible by a genuine desire for peace, justice and development by both sides.”

The senator noted that the agreement was defined by effective negotiations where both parties fully articulated their concerns, even against challenging and tensely divisive issues: “Both sides fully refused to walk away, and held on to peace when hate and division seemed the easier option.”    

“We achieve peace when we achieve understanding. And with the Bangsamoro agreement, we show the world that though shaped by our diversity, we are much more defined by our common dreams of peace, equality and prosperity as a nation,” Drilon said. 

-end-

Drilon: Iloilo’s progress possible for whole country

Press Release
12 March 2014
Refer to: Jeeno Arellano

Progress amid problems can be done with political will and effective partnerships, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said, stressing that the significant developments made by Iloilo within a short period of time is proof that economic recovery and the achievement of developmental goals is indeed possible for the country.

The Senate leader, an Ilonggo native and a staunch supporter of the province, lauded the many signs of Iloilo’s growth as he spoke before various business leaders who attended the Iloilo Business Forum held at the Hotel Intercontinental, Makati on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

The event showcases massive infrastructure developments and projects which represent a highly-energized and proactive economic policy that Iloilo City, along with the entire province, has undertaken in the past seven years.

In his speech, Drilon noted Iloilo’s rise from being a one of the provinces of the Visayan region with a gloomy economy to its current status as an economic dynamo poised to retake its spot as the premiere province on the entire southern part of the country.

“lloilo’s decline came to a point where its seaport was once described as the “armpit” of the Visayas, where it severely lost its economic luster. It was plagued by pitiful public services, haphazard economic ploys and poor infrastructure. In fact, the title, ‘Queen City of the South’, which once belonged to Iloilo, was transferred to Cebu more than a hundred years ago because of this,” he said.  

However, the senator said that the combination of a “united and result-oriented political leadership, and a highly cooperative and effective partnership with members of the private sector in Iloilo has led to monumental reforms and policy improvements, thereby transforming its economic fortune.

“We knew our strengths: our strategic location; our vast pool of talent; our abundant natural resources; and, a growing consumer market. Thus to reduce poverty and make our economy grow, Iloilo’s leaders turned to strategic infrastructure development as a means to more investments, which means more jobs,” he explained.

According to Drilon, the immense political resolve and thorough cooperation with the business partners like the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation has paid off, in the form of greatly perceivable leaps in infrastructure and economic developments in the province.

“Once-decrepit structures like the Iloilo International Airport and major roads like the Senator Benigno Aquino Avenue have been vastly revamped, while fishing wharfs and shipping ports are being updated to globally-competitive standards. The Iloilo River Esplanade and the Iloilo Convention Center are set to bring in unprecedented levels of local and international tourism revenues for the province,” he said.  

He added: “Meanwhile, Iloilo’s woes regarding its power supply has been resolved, and is now one of the information and communications technology (ICT) hotspots in the country, while its rapid urbanization is attracting the full line-up of the country’s biggest real estate firms and consumer brands – such as the Ayala Group and the SM group of companies.”

The Senate Chief also pointed to several big-ticket projects in Iloilo including the P11.2-billion Jalaur River Project, an infrastructure project expected to benefit 783,000 farmers in 25 of Iloilo's 42 municipalities, provide 17,000 jobs, and will eventually lead to the doubling of Iloilo’s rice production, from 142,000 to 300,000 tons annually.

The construction of a state-of-the-art convention center is part of a major campaign to improve the province’s capacity to host and accommodate international occasions such as 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings, and important domestic events.

There are also various ongoing road infrastructure projects which include the 14-kilometer, 4-lane Iloilo circumferential road, the 150-km Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan highway, and the widening of a 3-lined, 10-lane avenue. The projects are meant not only to relieve Iloilo of its traffic problems, but more importantly, to open hundreds of new areas for development.

“We will not stop pursuing our development goals because we want to show to the whole country that if it can be done in Iloilo, it can be done anywhere,” stressed Drilon.

“In Iloilo, we have proven that we can create change when we put our collective interests before our individual wants. In Iloilo, we are nurturing big dreams and are working hard to realize these dreams,” he emphasized.

Drilon said the developments in Iloilo can be applied in other parts of the country: “The story of Iloilo is not just the story of the Ilonggos. It is the story of Filipinos. This is the story of people who are determined to scale new heights of economic and social success.”

Lastly, Drilon expressed elation at the developments, which have “made Iloilo the 2nd most competitive city in the whole Philippines, and the number one in governance, as stated by the National Governance Council.”

In the 2013 SWS Survey of Enterprises on Corruption, Iloilo managers posted a satisfaction rating of 83 percent, the second highest, in terms of the city government’s efforts to promote a good business climate. Likewise, of the seven (7) areas outside of NCR that were surveyed, Iloilo businessmen are the most positive at 86 percent  calling their business prospects either good or excellent, ahead of Angeles City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and Davao. ###

DZRH Radio Interview of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

with Joe Taruc and Milky Rigonan

March 11, 2014

Q: Ano po ba ang mga napagtibay na mga panukala bago kayo magbreak sa Marso 15?

SPFMD: Yung pinaka-importanteng panukalang batas na ating ipinasa, yung Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill. Alam mo, ilang Kongreso na yan. Sabi nga ni Senator Grace Poe, apatnapu’t apat na senador at kongresista na ang nag-file ng kanya-kanyang versions, makalipas ng ilang taon na yan, ngunit kahapon po naipasa natin sa Senado. Ipinangako namin, ang Freedom of Information Bill, at ang Bill na ito ay ating makikitang magiging deterrent sa katiwalian sa gobyerno, dahil ibubukas natin sa publiko ang impormasyon hinggil sa kung paano tumatakbo ang pamahalaan. Malaking bagay po ito.

Alam mo Joe, Milky, may tinatawag na sunshine principle, kung saan sinasabi nila, yung mga mikrobyo ay namamatay pag nasisinagan ng araw. Dito, sa pamamagitan ng FOI Bill, masisinagan ng araw at liwanag ang pagpapatakbo natin sa pamahalaan. Ang mga dokumento of public interest ay pwedeng hilingin ng sino mang mamamayan, kaya isang malaking laban po ito sa demokrasya at sa katiwalian.

Q: Ang FOI napagtibay natin sa Senado Mr. Senate President, pero hindi siya kaakibat ng right to reply pa?

SPFMD: Hindi po kasama yan kasi yan naman ay tungkol sa press freedom, hindi po dito sa FOI. Ito pong Freedom of Information Bill ay nagbibigay ng implementasyon doon sa karapatan ng taong bayan na alamin kung ano ang nangyayari sa pamahalaan na nakalagay sa ating Saligang batas.

Q: Hindi naman kaila sa ating kaalaman din napagtibay ito ng Senado, datapwa’t yung Kamara de Representante ay hindi napagtitibay, kahit last minute hindi pa rin napagtitibay. Ngayon, napakabagal at nakikita natin, ni wala pa sa first base itong panukala sa Kamara. Ano po ang mangyayari ngayon?

SPFMD: In fairness to the House, itong nakaraang Kongreso, naipasa din namin ito sa Senado towards the end of the session na, kaya hindi na nagkaroon ng panahon. Malaala ko, si Senator Gringo Honasan ang nagpasa nito, although in the last few months of the last Congress, kaya hindi po umabot.

Ngayon, siguro, kung may panahon, hindi naman po agad-agad – na halimbawa, kailangan bukas maipasa ito. Ito po ay pag-uusapan pa ng husto sa House, at sa aming regular meeting ni Speaker Belmonte, kasama ang kanyang Majority Leader at Minority Leader, sa House. Buwan-buwan kami nagmimeeting, tuwing ito po ay nasa aming agenda. Ito ay ating imomonitor sa lalong madaling panahon.

Q: Kahit na hindi ito isa sa mga sinertipikahan bilang urgent, o certified po ba ito?

SPFMD: Hindi po cinertify ito sa amin, ngunit ito po ay naipasa on second reading nuong Miyerkules nuong nakaraang Linggo, kaya we have had enough time.

Q: Kaya lang dito sa Kamara, hindi yata priority ang FOI sapagkat ang number one priority ay Cha-Cha.

SPFMD: Well, pinangako naman ni Speaker Belmonte na ito ay tatalakayin sa House. Tama po yan, inuuna nila yung Cha-Cha dahil sa tingin nila ito ay makakatulong din sa ating bansa, lalo na sa ating paglalago ng ating mga investment.

Q: Mabuti nagmenor ng kaunti yung Kamara de Representantes at Mayo pa raw magkakaroon ng deliberation tungkol dito, pero dito sa Senado, napapansin namin, tahimik po ang mga kagawad ng Senado tungkol dito sa Cha-Cha.

SPFMD: Ang usapan namin dito Joe, uunahin namin ang FOI Bill. Sa Kamara, uunahin nila ang Cha-Cha. Pagkatapos nila ng Cha-Cha, kung maipasa nila yung Cha-Cha, aming tatalakayin sa Senado. Yan po ang usapan namin ni Speaker Belmonte. Yan po ang binigyan muna namin ng prayoridad dito, ang FOI Bill, kaya nauna naming ipinasa itong FOI Bill, ngunit dahil po sa aming pagpupulong buwan-buwan, marami po kaming nako-coordinate, halimbawa, yung MARINA Bill. Yan po ay magiging batas na, at naipasa namin dahilan sa closer coordination ng dalawang kapulungan. Nasa Pangulo na po yung MARINA Bill, na makakatulong upang hindi na mailagay sa alanganin ang kabuhayan ng higit sa walumpung-libong tripulante sa Europa.

Ganoon din po, at tayong ipinasa yung Go Negosyo Bill, na inisponsor ni Senator Bam Aquino, para po matulungan at maproteksiyunan ang ating micro, small and medium enterprises o MSMEs. Yan po ay kung saan animnapu’t-anim na porsiyento ng ating mga manggagawa ay nasa sector po ng mga micro, small and medium enterprises.

Ganun din po, yung extradition treaty ng Pilipinas sa mga gobyerno ng United Kingdom, Spain at India, atin pong naratify na. Ilang taon na rin po itong naka-binbin, at matagal na pong naratify ng England ang kanilang version, at ng Spain ang kanilang version, tayo po ay nahuli kaya atin pong pinaspasan. Ito po ay isang batas na makakatulong para maipasulong natin ang ating justice system. Pag may mga kriminal dito sa ating bansa na tumakbo sa United Kingdom, sa Spain, o India, pwede po nating hilingin ang pagbalik nila dito sa ating bansa upang harapin ang kanilang mga kasalanan.

Q: Sa madaling salita, Mr. Senate President, sa kabila po ng mga privilege speeches, sa kabila ng mga investigations, kahit paano yung trabaho ng Senado, nakikita natin kung paano gumagana?

SPFMD: Tama po yan, at akin namang sinasabi sa aking mga kasamahan, kasama sa tungkulin natin yung pag-iimbestiga in aid of legislation, ngunit ang ating pangunahing tungkulin sa taongbayan ay maipasa yung mga batas na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan, kaya yan po ang ating ginagawa. Notwithstanding all these noise about investigations, at batikos na puro imbestigasyon ang ginagawa, atin pong pinapakita sa taong bayan na yung ating pangunahing tungkulin na maipasa yung mga batas na kakailanganin natin sa ekonomiya, sa ating anti-corruption, sa ating justice system, sa hanapbuhay ng ating mga manggagawa, atin pong binibigyan ng kaukulang pansin.

Q: Mr. Senate President, nabanggit nyo nga yung accomplishment ng Senado, pero magbabakasyon na ulit ang session, ano po ba yung mahahalagang dapat balikan na Bills ng Senado once na magresume ang session. Kayo po yung tumutulak para sa review ng EPIRA law.

SPFMD: Yan po ay nasa Committee on Energy, wala pa po sa amin, Yung isa po sa ating itutulak, yung bill ukol sa Graphic Based Warning on Cigarette Packs. Yun po, kung inyong maalaala, ito po yung batas na isinusulong namin ni Senator Pia Cayetano na siyang maglalagay ng picture based warning, yung baga na nasisira dahilan po sa paninigarilyo. Yan po ang ating bigyan ng pansin pagbalik namin. Ipapasa po namin itong Graphic Based Warning on Cigarette Packs.

Amin ding tatalakayin yung hindi na po bubuwisan ang 13^th month pay ng ating mga manggagawa hanggang P75,000. Ngayon, hanggang P30,000 lang, ating itataas ito. Gayun din, pagbalik namin, yung Sandiganbayan Bill ay isang batas po o panukala na ating sinusulong para po mapabilis ang kaso sa Sandiganbayan. Ngayon po, Milky, mga pitong taon bago matapos ang isang kaso kaya ang ating ginagawa, ay ating binabago ang batas para mapabilis ang paglilitis ng mga kaso sa Sandiganbayan. 

Q: Yung isang texter natin, Mr. Senate President, sabi ay masyado daw kayong aligaga sa trabaho sa Senado, baka makaligtaan ninyo, malapit na ang 2016. Mayroon po ba kayong balak para sa 2016?

SPFMD: Alam mo, pag usaping pulitika, nagagalit ang taongbayan. Ngayon pa lang ay marami nang nagpoposisyon sa 2016, kaya po ako ay nagsusumikap na maipaliwanag sa taongbayan na kami po sa Senado ay nagtatrabaho muna. Sa ngayon po, ating sinisikap na maipasa yung mga panukalang batas na makakatulong sa ating bansa.

Q: Pero marami rin kayong kasama na aligaga rin sa pulitika.

SPFMD: Ok lang sa akin yun basta gawin nila nga trabaho nila.

Q: Marami nang nagpahayag ng interest diyan sa Senado, pero malabo ba yung kumbinasyon na Mar-Drilon daw po?

SPFMD: Susmaryosep! Anong kumbinasyon? Saan po gagawin? Hindi po siguro sa karera sa kabayo? ###