Headstart — ANC (9 June 2026)

[0:00] Nine in Manila, I'm Karen Davila giving you the head start for the day. [0:04] Our guest for Hot Copy today, we have Senator Bam Aquino live here in the studio [0:10] as we discuss the leadership row at the Senate and his push for education reforms. [0:16] First, the headlines. [0:19] Today's big stories, the death toll from the powerful quake that hit Mindanao, climbs to 37. [0:24] Malacanang and Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian reject the joint signatory scheme proposal of Senator Alan Cayetano [0:34] and Senator Irwin Tulfo sues three of the 18 former bodyguards of Zaudico for defamation. [0:45] The Senate bloc led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian holds a blue-ribbon consultative meeting on the flood control corruption scandal. [0:53] The bloc's members slammed last week's separate flood control probe by Senators allied with Senator Alan Cayetano. [1:04] RG Cruz reports. [1:07] Former Speaker Martin Romuales and Congressman Zia Adiong, Jose Alvarez, Julian Baronda and Lila Delima [1:14] all skipped a consultative meeting called by the faction of Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian [1:18] and their chosen blue-ribbon committee chair, Irwin Tulfo, on the flood control scandal probe, citing the inter-parliamentary courtesy. [1:25] The 18 former workers of former House lawmakers, Zaldi Ko, [1:29] who claimed to have made cash deliveries in suitcases to high-profile government officials, also skipped the hearing. [1:34] Senators allied with Gatchalian did not mean words in describing Thursday's proceedings led by the bloc of Senator Alan Cayetano. [1:40] It was irregular, a hao-siao, as you may want to call it, a make-believe investigation masquerading as an official Senate proceeding. [1:49] The so-called blue-ribbon committee hearing conducted last Thursday, June 4, was illegal, void ab initio, and had no binding effect. [2:03] One of the resource persons, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melody Matibag, [2:07] shared their findings on the claims of the self-confessed PAGMAT. [2:10] He raised questions on the credibility of the accusers and the weight of their allegations. [2:14] Doon po sa sampu ang dalawampung porsyento na sinasabing totoo, yung participation nila sa driver, ganyan. [2:20] Hindi po ma-establish pa rin talaga kung nakita nilang actual na may pera ba talaga, may dala. [2:26] Lumalabas na talagang mukhang sinulat at kinotes, corroborated po yung pagsusulat nitong pinagsamang sunumpang sa Laysay. [2:37] Matibag suspects the men were incentivized to make their claims. [2:39] Ang sinasabi po rito sa Laysay na itong si Anselmo Taberdo ay isa sa mga doon sa labing walo na in-approach ng grupo ni Mike Defensor [2:50] at pinangakuan ng limang milyong piso kapalit ng pagsasalita. [2:55] Nilinaw niya na hindi pa pala nabibigay talaga yung 700,000, 350,000 pa lang yung nabigay at utay-utay pa po itong nabigay. [3:04] According to the NBI director, it was Attorney Baligod who reached out to one of the men and not the other way around. [3:10] Nila yung isa si Buduan, nina-approach ni Attorney Baligod. [3:21] Tapos si Buduan, siya na ang nag-recruit dun sa labing walo. [3:24] The self-confessed bag men were inside the Senate building while the consultative hearing was ongoing. [3:29] But they chose to hold a press conference along with their lawyer, Levito Baligod, and Senator Robin Hood Padilla. [3:35] Johnny Buduan, who was tagged by Matibag as a supposed recruiter of the other members of the group, denies Matibag's claims. [3:41] The men also asked that Tufo inhibit from the Senate hearings because he also supposedly received illegal payoffs. [3:52] But Tufo and the other Senators clapped back and challenged the group's sincerity in telling the truth. [3:56] Pangit naman yung ikaw na yung nireklamo, ikaw pa mag-investiga, ikaw pa ang maging huwes. [4:05] Truth doesn't mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged. [4:12] Tufo has filed grave oral defamation charges against three ex-bodyguards of Zaldi Co before the Pasay Regional Child Court after they linked the Senator to a kickback scheme. [4:21] The self-confessed wit, this has also clarified the allegations against Senator Loren de Garda. [4:25] The group now says they were mistaken. [4:27] Hindi nila nakita na nakapasok sa gate eh. Pagbaba ni Zaldi Co, nagbukas ang gate, pumasok siya, sinara din yung gate daw. [4:36] So pati si Mark Tiksay, na usually sumasama sa kanya, naiwan sa labas. [4:41] Senator Francis Panglinan wants to compel the self-confessed bagman to attend the next hearing and cite him in contempt if they continue to refuse. [4:48] However, the Blue Ribbon Committee can only hold hearings once it is fully constituted. [4:51] For this to happen, Tufo says they need kay Tano's group to take part. [4:55] Hindi po siya talaga organized. Wala po silang mga member. Kailangan po namin ang apat sa minority. [5:02] Composition po yan, 17 eh. Wala po po silang binibigay. [5:08] Hindi po kami makapag-organize. Hindi po kami makapag-hearing. [5:11] Baligod and his clients have been summoned to appear before the office of the Ombudsman [5:15] in relation to the complaint affidavit they filed against those who allegedly received money from former congressman Cole. [5:21] RG Cruz, IBS CBN News. [5:23] Alright, joining us this morning live in the studio is Senator Bam Aquino. [5:30] Senator Bam, thank you. [5:32] Alright, what a mess. [5:34] What a mess. [5:34] What is going on? [5:36] There are two leaderships in the House. [5:39] How are you functioning, the whole system? [5:42] Well, unang-una, Karen, there is one legitimate leadership and that's the block led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. [5:50] On the last day of session, 12 kami. Pumasok si Senator Cheese and we were able to have 12. [5:56] We were able to declare all positions vacant. [5:59] We were able to put in new committee chairman. [6:01] And pagkatapos nun, we elected Senator Wynne as the Senate President Pro Tempore. [6:07] And that's backed up by jurisprudence. [6:09] That's backed up by presidents. [6:12] And right now, ang kinikilala ng executive, ng House, ng iba pang mga legal luminaries, [6:18] yung Gatchalian Block, which we used to call the Solid Block 11. [6:22] So, ngayon, Solid Block 11 plus 1, di ba? [6:25] So, we're committed to continuing doing the work of the Senate. [6:29] Tutuloy namin yung trabaho ng Senado na alam kong yun naman talaga rin yung hinahanap ng tao. [6:33] Hindi itong gulo, hindi itong mga bangayan, pero yung totoong trabaho ng Senado, yun yung hinahanap nila. [6:38] At committed kami na ipagpatulo yun. [6:40] Okay, so now, Congress is on recess. [6:44] I want to ask you, with the current setup of the Cayetano Block refusing to give in, [6:50] refusing to recognize the Gatchalian Block, how were you able to work? [6:55] So, let's explain it to the public. [6:56] For example, you are the committee chair of education now. [7:00] Yes. [7:01] Dati, it was... [7:02] Senator Loren. [7:03] So, it was myself. [7:05] And then on May 11, yung araw na dumating si Senator Bato, [7:10] dugo yung kamay niya, naghabulan and all of that. [7:13] Nagkaroon ng leadership change. [7:14] Napalitan po tayo. [7:15] But last June 3, because we had the majority, nabalik po tayo as education chairperson. [7:23] Okay, so what happens now? [7:25] How does that affect the committee that the minority or the Cayetano Block refuses to acknowledge the Gatchalian Block? [7:33] How does that affect your job? [7:35] Well, unang-una, Karen, kapag 13 na kami, which we're predicting will be very soon at nag-special session, [7:40] mafo-formalize na yung pag-elect ng bagong Senate President. [7:44] Now, in the case na hindi mangyari yun, pagkating ng July at nag-session na kami, [7:50] there's 12 of us and there's only 10 in the Cayetano Block. [7:54] So, kahit anong mangyari, pag nagsimula na yung session, mas marami talaga kami. [7:59] Diba? [8:00] Ang tanong na lang dyan, magagawa ba yan this June or at the soonest possible time? [8:05] Sa tingin ko, mangyayari yan at pag nangyari na yan, talagang pwede na tayong mag, [8:10] masabing ang back to business at bumalik sa pagtatrabaho para sa bayan. [8:14] So, may isa pa kayo na inaasahan mula sa Cayetano Block na lilipat. [8:19] Yes. [8:20] Okay? [8:20] So, si Senator Loren Bato, Senator Joel. [8:24] Ang tabayari. [8:24] Mas exciting kung hindi alam nating lahat at doon na lang sa araw na yun, Karen. [8:28] But I'm hoping, praying, expecting. [8:32] I'm curious, Senator. [8:33] Well, ito eh. [8:33] Okay. [8:34] So, ang rami nangyari since May 11. [8:36] May habulan, may putukan, may samaan ng loob, may naghamunan. [8:42] Ang rami nangyari. [8:43] But I think the hair that broke the camel's back, [8:46] yung talagang naging trigger point para sa marami sa amin. [8:49] At alam ko kahit yung iba sa mga kasama namin sa kabilang grupo, [8:53] yung hindi pagpasok. [8:55] Tatlong araw kami hindi nag-session. [8:56] June 1, we were there. [8:58] Hinihintay namin sila, yung mayorya nung panahon yun. [9:02] Hindi sila sumipot. [9:03] Hindi ba nagpasabi na hindi sila pupunta. [9:06] On June 2, nangyari ulit yun. [9:08] Hindi na naman sila pumasok at naghihintay pa rin kami. [9:11] On June 3, nangyari na nga yung pumasok si Senator Cheese at nagka-corum na. [9:16] So, para sa marami sa mga taong matagal na nagtatrabaho sa Senado. [9:20] Or matagal ng Senador, no? [9:22] Well, iba yung Senador. [9:23] Iba rin yung mga sekretarya at yung mga taong nagtatrabaho sa Senado. [9:27] Unang beses rin lang yun na nakita nila na magtatatlong araw na walang session. [9:32] In fact, on that third day, kung hindi kami nag-session, [9:35] we were already in violation of the Constitution. [9:37] Kasi hindi pwede yung tatlong araw na sunod-sunod na hindi kayo nag-session, no? [9:42] So, nung pangatlong araw na yun, we were able to na-cure namin yung pagiging violative of the Constitution. [9:49] Hindi na tuloy yun. [9:50] We were able to constitute the quorum and the majority. [9:54] And we were able to, hopefully now, set the Senate in the right path. [9:58] Now, siyempre, alam natin ngayon, latang tao, alam na yung abilino-kwenko, di ba? [10:02] Alam na yung abilino-kwenko, alam na yung pagbibilang to 12 or 13. [10:07] We stand on good legal ground. [10:09] At maraming sumangayon sa amin. [10:11] But the best situation is really kapag 13 na kami. [10:14] Oo, you feel it will be unquestionable. [10:16] Of course, of course. [10:17] And I'm predicting this will happen very soon. [10:20] Mag-13 na po tayo. [10:22] Hopefully, we're praying for that and we're hoping for that. [10:25] At pag nangyari na yan, we can go back to business tayo and really focus on the reforms na kailangan ng tao. [10:31] Okay, so why do you think it should be 13 when the Constitution doesn't state the number 13? [10:37] It states a majority of all its members. [10:40] And Justice Carpio interprets it as members, of course, who can vote. [10:45] Kasi pag may namatay, out na yun. [10:48] May nakakulong, hindi makaboto yun. [10:50] Of course, Karen, we agree with that interpretation, di ba? [10:53] Pero sa kaduluduluhan ng lahat, yung wala talagang question kapag 13 kayo. [10:58] Okay, right now, ang pwedeng gawin ng kabilang grupo, pwede nilang iakyat sa Supreme Court yung mga tanong nila. [11:04] At dun siguro, pagdidebatihan ng Supreme Court, yung Avino Cuenco, so jurisprudence, presidents, and a logical understanding of the Constitution and the rules, dun natin malalaman. [11:15] But kung ayaw nilang gawin yun, yung pinakamainam talaga ng paraan ay magkatresa tayo. [11:22] Now, we know that we stand on jurisprudence and presidents. [11:26] So confident kami dito sa numero natin. [11:29] Pero yung mga grupo na nagtatanong or nagko-question, they can either bring it up to the Supreme Court, which they have the right to do, [11:35] at the Supreme Court will decide kung ano nga ba talaga yung tamang numero, much like Avilino Cuenco, di ba? [11:41] They will decide then, pero posibleng mahabang proseso pa yan, the best is just to have the 13. [11:47] And right now, yung 12 mas malapit sa 13 kaysa 10 mas malapit sa 13, di ba? [11:53] Good point. So they'd have to get 3, you just have to get 1 kung punto ka doon. [11:57] Now, in terms of work, the Blue Ribbon Committee, alright, there was, tinawag na hausyao, yung Blue Ribbon Hearing ni Marcoleta. [12:11] Ito naman, yung kay Erwin Tulfo cannot also be considered as a Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing. [12:16] No, it's a meeting. It's a consultative meeting, Karen. [12:19] So, just for our audience, what are the issues why neither sides can call it a Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing? [12:27] Yesterday, no, nung nagkaroon ng meeting, hindi siya pwedeng tawagin hearing kasi hindi pa constituted yung committee. [12:34] Mismo? [12:35] Mismo. Ibig sabihin, hindi pa nababasa sa plenaryo kung sino yung mga membro ng committee. [12:41] Okay. [12:41] And if you remember that whole, that time na nag-walkout kami doon sa motion for... [12:47] Electronic voting. [12:48] Electronic voting. [12:50] Ang sinabi na rin namin doon, na-refer to the Committee on Rules itong motion na to, [12:55] but the Committee on Rules was not yet constituted. [12:59] So, paano maglabas ng desisyon yung committee kung hindi pa ito constituted? [13:05] So, in the same way, hindi pa rin constituted yung Blue Ribbon Committee. [13:09] Hindi rin constituted yung Education Committee, by the way. [13:11] None of the committees, I think, are constituted. [13:14] Meaning, nakalista sino ba yung mga membro nito. [13:16] So, habang hindi pa siya nakabasa sa plenaryo at napagsangayunan ng mga tao, [13:21] hindi pa siya constituted, di ka pa pwedeng gumawa ng mga formal na hearing. [13:25] But, I'm hoping that pag nag-special session tayo, at rese na nga yung grupo po namin, [13:31] pwede ma-constitute yung mga iba't ibang committee para mapagpatuloy na po yung mga hearing. [13:35] So, this is in the President's hands, okay? [13:39] What can a special session do? [13:41] Everything that particular day. [13:43] Because the Kayatano Block can refuse to also attend. [13:47] But we're already, currently we're 12, and by that time we'll be 13. [13:51] So, fate accompli na yun, Karen. [13:53] Kung baga, tapos na yung boxing, no? [13:57] And I think, hopefully, that will be called kapag kailangan na talagang klaruhin itong nangyayari sa Senado. [14:04] Okay, so let's start... [14:05] And on that day, pwede na yan, tapusin yung mga third reading, [14:09] yung mga generals na naghihintayin ng ilang linggo na for their appointments [14:13] at yung iba pang armed forces personnel natin. [14:17] Yung pag-sponsor ng national feeding program na dapat gagawin ko noong May 11, [14:21] hindi na tuloy kasi natanggal tayo bilang chairperson. [14:24] Yung pag-constitute noong BICAM for the vouchers bill. [14:28] We have a vouchers bill that will support our public school students [14:31] na pwedeng lumipat sa mga private schools. [14:34] So, the BICAM of that bill, meaning last step na to, [14:39] has to be constituted again kasi nagkaroon ng leadership change. [14:42] So, maraming mga kailangang buuin at gawin kapag nag-special session tayo. [14:46] Okay, but more than that, so I wanted to ask you first, [14:49] Senator Alan Cayetano, [14:51] his camp is now seeking for what they call an interim admin set up with the Gachalian block, [14:58] with the new Senate majority. [15:01] And of course, you've turned it down. [15:03] The block has turned it down. [15:04] Why? [15:05] What is questionable about that whole exercise? [15:08] Ano kasi yan, Karen, eh? [15:10] Kapag, so firstly, this is really up to the Senate Secretariat and Senator Sherwin, no? [15:16] Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, kapag sumangayon kayo sa joint custody, [15:21] o para kayo nag-joint custody, [15:23] ina-acknowledge mo na pareho kayong magulang. [15:25] Di ba? [15:25] Pag may joint custody ng anak, [15:27] pag sabi mo, joint custody tayo, [15:28] ibig sabihin, pareho tayong magulang. [15:30] E right now, sa pananaw po namin, [15:32] at sa pananaw ng marami pang mga ibang grupo, [15:35] and especially the other branches of government, [15:38] ang tumatayo pong legitimong grupo, [15:40] yung grupo po namin, no? [15:42] So, of course, on the ground, [15:45] we will do our best to make it as smooth and easy for the Senate staff. [15:49] Kasi siyempre, ano yan, yung sweldo, [15:51] yung pipirma ng mga bagay-bagay. [15:52] Yes, so sino po pipirma ngayon? [15:55] My understanding, it's Attorney Bantug, no? [15:57] Okay. [15:57] And as it should be. [15:59] As it should be. [16:00] Pero yan po, pinag-uusapan po nila yan. [16:02] Okay. [16:03] Now, the Senate pro-tempore, [16:04] there are different points of view, [16:07] and there was one that said that [16:10] while 12 can constitute a quorum, [16:13] in terms of voting for the Senate President [16:16] and the Senate pro-tempore, dapat 13. [16:20] So, you have Senator Loren Legarda coming out with videos on it. [16:23] So, some are even questioning the legitimacy [16:26] of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate pro-tempore. [16:30] Kasi kabilang daw yun sa tapat 13. [16:34] In the Constitution, Karen, [16:36] na yung talagang pinakabatayan nitong lahat, [16:38] it just mentions a Senate President. [16:40] So, that's our position. [16:42] And obviously, nandito na tayo. [16:44] If they wish to question that, [16:46] they can question it with the Supreme Court. [16:47] Okay. [16:48] Now, the special session. [16:50] Now, Senator Alan Cayetano has said [16:52] he will preside over the impeachment trial [16:55] of Vice President Sara Duterte. [16:59] I've always asked this. [17:00] Anong mangyayari doon? [17:01] Dalawa silang, if walang special session, [17:03] July 6 na to, ah? [17:05] Kaya mahalaga mag-special session, Karen, [17:06] para matuldukan na natin itong mga nangyayari [17:10] sa Senado na gulo. [17:11] The special session will really cure everything, no? [17:15] Pagating ng July, I'm hoping that malinaw. [17:18] Yung presiding officer, which is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, [17:22] malinaw po ito sa amin. [17:23] Dapat malinaw rin po ito sa kabilang grupo [17:24] at sa publiko. [17:25] And that will happen when we have 13. [17:28] What can happen if, let's say, hypothetically, [17:31] the minority just refuses to go to work? [17:36] I mean, nagalit ang tao nun, di ba? [17:38] Si Senator Batoso may swelgo, pumapasok. [17:41] Pwede gawin yun. [17:42] Just out of, di ba, boycott? [17:45] Well, kung mag-boycott sila, [17:48] they're turning their back on their duty. [17:52] At the end of the day, Karen, [17:53] hinalal kami para magtrabaho. [17:55] So, hinalal kami para gawin yung reform [17:57] ang kailangan ng bayan. [17:58] At yung trabahong yun, [18:00] primarily, nakikita yun sa trabaho namin sa session, [18:04] sa mga hearings. [18:05] At para mag-hearing, para mag-session, [18:07] kailangan kang pumasok. [18:08] I think yun, naiintindihan ng mga tao [18:11] na gawin nyo yung trabaho nyo, [18:14] yung number one dyan, [18:15] hindi mag-ikot, [18:17] hindi mag-presscon. [18:20] Ang number one na trabaho namin, [18:22] pumasok, pumasok sa session, [18:24] pumasok sa plenaryo, [18:26] sa hearing, [18:26] doon makipag-debatihan, [18:27] doon itulak yung mga kailangan ng tao. [18:29] The flood control hearings, [18:31] there was a perception [18:32] that the former leaders, [18:34] under Senate President Tito Soto, [18:38] there was a perception [18:39] that they chose to protect [18:41] certain individuals [18:43] with the flood control hearings. [18:45] Hence, there was a challenge, [18:47] supposedly, [18:47] when the partial committee report [18:50] was formed [18:51] and some wouldn't sign it. [18:54] And you have that today. [18:56] It's not resolved. [18:57] Hindi pa rin resolved. [18:58] Itong 18 former Marines [19:01] or the bag men, [19:02] nagbabago ang pangalan, [19:04] they did not attend. [19:05] Itong Irwin Tulfo... [19:07] Sana nag-attend na lang sila. [19:08] Sana nag-attend. [19:09] Kasi nandun na sila eh. [19:09] Oo nga. [19:10] Sipin mo, Karen, [19:11] nasa second floor sila. [19:12] Kami. [19:12] Nasa fifth floor sila. [19:14] Ba't di na lang sila bumaba [19:15] at doon na kami mag-usap-usap? [19:17] In the consultative hearing, [19:18] they were invited. [19:20] They were invited beforehand. [19:22] Habang nag-meeting na, [19:24] pinaimbitahan pa sila ulit. [19:26] Di rin sila talaga bumaba. [19:27] At yung pinakamainam na resolution dito [19:31] ay magharap-harap yung mga grupo. [19:32] The senators supporting them, [19:35] the senators who are accused, [19:36] and the senators who just want [19:38] to find out the truth. [19:39] Magharap-harap, [19:41] allow yourself to be probed, [19:42] gaya ng ibang mga naging [19:44] resource person sa Blue Ribbon, [19:46] at kung ano man yung lumabas doon, [19:48] ifo-forward din yan [19:49] sa ating mga justice agencies [19:52] like the DOJ or the Ombudsman. [19:54] Yesterday, [19:55] I reminded the Ombudsman, [19:58] the DOJ, [19:59] and the Prosecutor General. [20:02] Sabi ko, [20:02] uy, mag-iisang taon na. [20:04] Next month, [20:05] so na na ulit. [20:06] Mag-one-year anniversary na [20:07] yung mahiya naman kayo [20:08] at klaro naman sa tao, [20:10] hindi pa resolved itong issue na ito. [20:12] This is just a few months ago, [20:14] Karen, [20:15] hundreds of thousands of people [20:16] nag-rally para makuha yung resolution dito. [20:18] And I don't believe [20:19] na nakalimgutan to ng tao. [20:21] People still know [20:22] that this is unresolved. [20:23] At kapag umulan na ulit, [20:26] and that will happen in a few weeks, [20:28] maalala na naman ng tao [20:29] yung flood control [20:30] na yung perang dapat napunta dyan, [20:33] ninakaw lang. [20:34] Okay? [20:35] So this has to be resolved. [20:36] They have to work faster. [20:38] Now, [20:39] yung pagtatrabaho nila, [20:41] kompleto ba? [20:42] Ito ba'y satisfactory? [20:44] Yung tao dyan yung maghuhusga. [20:45] Now, [20:45] ito yung tanong ko sa kanila. [20:46] Itong mga testimony [20:48] ng 18 bodyguards, [20:50] no? [20:50] Oo. [20:51] I think yung bodyguard [20:52] might be a... [20:53] parang fair to everybody [20:54] na tawagin sila. [20:55] Bodyguard naman talaga sila [20:56] ni Zaldico. [20:58] Anong gagawin ninyo [20:59] sa testimony na ito? [21:00] Kasi affidavit yan eh. [21:01] Yeah. [21:01] Diba? [21:02] So, [21:02] may mga iba dyan, [21:04] in-accuse nila, [21:05] I find it very hard to believe [21:06] na ang mga taong yun [21:08] tumanggap ng pera [21:09] kay Zaldico, [21:10] like Father Flavi, [21:11] si Lila, [21:11] my colleagues, [21:12] diba? [21:13] They're filing cases against them. [21:14] Pero anong gagawin ninyo? [21:16] Iimbestigahan nyo ba yan [21:17] o ibabasura ninyo? [21:18] Yung sagot niyo, [21:19] ang bootsman, [21:20] klaro eh. [21:20] Sabi niya, [21:21] we have already asked [21:22] for their individual affidavit. [21:25] Mahirap yung collective affidavit [21:27] kasi hindi mo matukoy [21:28] sino doon sa 18 [21:29] yung mismong [21:31] linya sa affidavit? [21:32] Ikaw ba talaga ito? [21:33] Oo. [21:34] So, pinahihimay nila [21:35] yung mga affidavit. [21:36] And, [21:37] hindi pa daw nagsasubmit. [21:39] And I'm hoping [21:40] na kapag [21:41] totoong Blue Ribbon hearing [21:42] na talaga yan, [21:44] nagharap-harap na yung mga tao, [21:46] pwede nating mahimay-himay [21:47] talaga yan. [21:47] Ano yung totoo, [21:48] ano yung hindi totoo, [21:49] ano yung dagdag, [21:50] ano yung tinanggal. [21:51] At malalaman natin yan. [21:53] And of course, [21:53] at the end of the day, [21:55] yung hearing naman, [21:56] yung Blue Ribbon Committee, [21:57] magsasubmit rin naman yan, [21:58] recommendation rin naman yan eh. [22:00] At pag-recommend, [22:01] yung mga ahensya, [22:02] kailangan pa rin nilang [22:03] gawin yung trabaho nila [22:04] na to investigate further [22:05] and to corroborate. [22:07] Even what we surfaced [22:08] in the Blue Ribbon hearing, [22:09] Karen, [22:10] kailangan pa rin yan [22:10] i-corroborate. [22:11] Kapag na-corroborate yan, [22:12] kapag may iba pang ebidensya... [22:14] Yung dating Blue Ribbon hearing [22:15] under Senator Ping Lakson. [22:17] Kahit ano namang binigay dyan [22:19] sa ombudsman o sa DOJ, [22:21] kailangan din namang [22:22] ibanggayan sa iba pang ebidensya. [22:24] At doon pa lang siya [22:25] nagiging kaso. [22:27] So, ang mahalaga sa akin kahapon is, [22:29] hindi na basura ito. [22:31] Diba? [22:31] Kasi kailangan yung bestigahan eh. [22:33] Pero yung probative value niya, [22:35] kailangan malaman, [22:36] anong porsyento dito [22:37] sa testimonyang ito, [22:38] yung totoo, [22:39] ano yung gawa-gawa lamang. [22:40] And I think it's too early [22:41] to say na [22:43] lahat ng sinabi nila [22:45] ay hindi totoo [22:45] o lahat ng sinabi nila [22:47] ay totoo. [22:48] Kailangan itong bestigahan. [22:49] And the best way to do this [22:50] is for the ombudsman [22:51] to do their job, [22:52] the DOJ and the NBI [22:53] to do their job properly, [22:55] and for the Blue Ribbon Committee [22:56] to have the hearing [22:57] at magharap-harap kaming lahat [22:58] at ma-probe talaga natin [23:00] yung katotohanan dito. [23:01] Now, the Blue Ribbon Committee [23:02] hearing under Erwin Tulfo [23:04] was not a hearing. [23:05] You said it was a meeting. [23:06] Yes. [23:07] And you had [23:08] Senator Robin Padilla [23:09] with the 18 bodyguards [23:11] just a floor above you. [23:13] Three floors above us. [23:14] Three floors. [23:14] Is there a penalty [23:15] for them not attending [23:17] considering [23:18] they were invited to attend? [23:19] Wala. [23:20] Because meeting lang yun eh. [23:21] Okay. [23:22] So pag nag-hearing na, [23:24] first time, [23:25] di ka papasok. [23:26] Pwede kang sulatan ulit. [23:27] Pagkatapos doon, [23:28] pwede ka nang isopina. [23:30] I hope na magharap-harap [23:32] talang tayo dyan. [23:32] They can have all of the senators [23:34] supporting them there. [23:36] Yung ibang mga senador [23:37] na akusado [23:39] at yung ibang mga senador [23:40] na gusto lang malaman [23:42] yung katotohanan. [23:42] Pwede tayo magharap-harap tayo. [23:43] Ganyan naman yung senado, [23:44] di ba? [23:45] I mean, [23:45] in the past, [23:46] Blue Ribbon, [23:46] nag-aharap yung mga tao [23:48] at kayang questionin directly. [23:50] Kayang malaman yung katotohanan. [23:52] And to be fair [23:52] to the Blue Ribbon hearings [23:54] of Senator Laxon, [23:56] maraming na surface doon. [23:57] Maraming lumabas doon. [23:59] I mean, [24:00] doon natin alaman na, [24:01] sabi ni Hernandez, [24:04] na practically lahat [24:05] ng kanilang proyekto, [24:07] hindi lang flood control, [24:08] meron silang kinuku, [24:10] meron silang ninanakaw na pera [24:11] na nag-overprice sila [24:13] doon sa mga materyales [24:14] and nag-overspec sila [24:16] sa mga disenyo. [24:18] I mean, yun, [24:18] lumabas yun during the hearings. [24:19] And that already is a good lead [24:23] for DPWH, [24:24] for the Ombudsman, [24:25] for all of these agencies [24:26] na ayusin yung mga budget [24:28] ng gobyerno [24:28] para talagang matuko [24:29] yung totoong presyo. [24:31] Are you seeing that right now, [24:33] there's always been a divide [24:35] with a majority and minority, [24:37] but now, [24:38] there seems to be [24:39] a polarization to a point [24:41] that either you're pro-SARA [24:43] or anti-SARA, [24:45] and if you're pro-SARA, [24:46] you believe that [24:48] there's a group protecting [24:50] the former leadership [24:52] of Martin Romualdez and Zaldico. [24:54] Parang na-divide na lang siya [24:56] ba't alam mo, Karen, [24:57] yan ang pinakamalaking [24:59] kasinungalingan ngayon [25:00] na binibenta sa publiko [25:02] na dalawang grupo lang, [25:03] either Sarah ka [25:04] o Marcos ka. [25:06] Mas marami sa mga kababayan natin [25:08] don't want either. [25:11] Mas marami sa kababayan natin [25:13] na ganais ng [25:14] mas independent na pananaw [25:16] sa mga bagay-bagay [25:17] na titignan yung mga bagay-bagay [25:19] per issue. [25:22] Yan kasi yung binibenta. [25:24] Social media. [25:25] Ano ka, [25:26] Senate of Malacanang [25:26] or Senate of the Philippines [25:28] o yung mga ganyan, [25:28] di ba? [25:28] May ganyan. [25:29] Ah, okay, oo. [25:30] That's the biggest lie. [25:32] Marami sa mga senador, [25:34] palagay ko, [25:35] hindi naman kailangan kumiling [25:36] sa kahit kaninong grupo [25:38] ang kinikilingan [25:39] yung taong bayan. [25:40] But more than the senators [25:41] and the officials, [25:42] yung tao mismo, Karen, [25:44] iba na ngayon. [25:45] Hindi na yung tipo [25:45] nung Duterte time [25:46] na either kampe ka sa kanila [25:48] o kaaway ka. [25:49] Ngayon, [25:49] yung mga tao, [25:51] nag-iisip na [25:51] itong mga issue na ito [25:53] talagang hinihimay, [25:54] iniintindi. [25:55] Talagang inaalam, [25:56] sino ba dito yung talagang [25:57] tutulong sa akin? [25:58] Sino ba dito [25:59] nagpapayaman lang? [26:00] O sino ba dito [26:01] yung talagang [26:01] nagdanakaw lang? [26:02] So, [26:03] I think it's a mistake to say [26:05] either Duterte ka [26:07] o Marcos ka. [26:09] Ngayon, [26:09] mas marami mga Pilipino [26:11] sa tingin ko, [26:12] syempre may mga [26:12] hardcore pa rin yan [26:13] na supporters, [26:14] pero mas marami [26:15] sa mga Pilipino [26:16] nandito sa gitna. [26:18] Nagahanap ng lunas, [26:19] nagahanap ng tulong, [26:20] nagahanap ng mga [26:21] ng Senado [26:22] at ng gobyerno [26:23] natutulong talaga [26:24] sa kanila. [26:25] I mean, [26:25] we just had the [26:26] earthquake yesterday [26:27] in Mindanao. [26:28] Ang hinahanap ng tao, [26:30] sino bang tutugon [26:30] sa mga problema ko? [26:31] Hindi yung, [26:32] sino yung boss mo? [26:34] Diba? [26:34] Boss mo ba ito? [26:35] Boss mo ba yan? [26:36] Dapat kami yung boss mo. [26:37] So, for many of us, [26:39] Karen, [26:40] and I think yung bloke namin, [26:41] ganito naman yung pananaw, [26:43] we just want to get back [26:44] to a sense of normalcy. [26:47] Bumalik tayo sa isang Senado [26:49] na nagtatrabaho, [26:50] na gumagawa ng mga [26:51] reforma para sa Pilipino, [26:53] at hindi na yung [26:55] puro conflict, [26:56] puro away, [26:57] puro drama. [26:58] Bumalik tayo sa [26:59] pagtulong sa taong bayan. [27:02] Kasi the image of some [27:03] is that may pinoprotektangan [27:05] ang kay Itano Block. [27:06] May pinoprotektangan [27:08] itong bloke ninyo. [27:10] You get me? [27:10] Parang ganun ang perception. [27:12] Ganyan ang binibenta. [27:14] Yan ang binibenta. [27:15] Pero ang katotohanan talaga, [27:18] at least ako, [27:19] I can speak for myself, [27:20] and you know, [27:21] sa mga meetings naman namin, [27:23] ang hinahanap talaga namin is, [27:25] bumalik yung Senado [27:26] sa pagtatrabaho [27:27] para sa taong bayan. [27:28] Number one. [27:30] Number two, [27:30] pagating sa mga hearing na ito, [27:32] ilabas yung katotohanan. [27:33] Anyway, [27:34] at the end of the day, [27:35] ang mailalabas namin [27:36] sa Blue Ribbon, [27:37] kailangan pa namang [27:38] imbestigahan pa rin yan eh. [27:39] So ilabas natin [27:40] yung pwedeng ilabas, [27:41] malaman natin [27:42] yung totoo at yung peke, [27:43] and then i-forward natin [27:44] for investigation. [27:45] Bantayan natin [27:46] na totoo yung imbestigasyon. [27:47] But I'm gonna tell you [27:48] this much, Karen, [27:49] mag-one year na, [27:50] wala pa rin [27:50] resolusyon yung flood control. [27:52] Mahalagang magka-resolusyon yan. [27:54] At ano nga doon? [27:55] Yung mga... [27:56] Si Curly Disgaia. [27:56] The biggest fish. [27:58] I don't think Curly [27:59] is the biggest fish. [28:00] Yung pinakamalaking isda, [28:02] yun yung kailangan natin [28:03] makitang nakasuhan na. [28:07] Diba? [28:07] At yun yung hinahanap ng tao. [28:09] Sana naman, [28:10] huwag ka tayo umabot [28:10] ng one year [28:11] ng SONA anniversary [28:13] na hindi pa rin to resolve. [28:14] Alright. [28:15] So, right now, [28:17] nakasinedie kayo. [28:18] So, July 6 is the impeachment trial [28:20] and then July 24 is the SONA ba? [28:24] Parang, teka, [28:25] I'm checking the dates. [28:26] But it's not the last Monday. [28:27] Yes. [28:28] The last Monday of July [28:29] is the SONA. [28:30] That's when you come together [28:32] as a legislative body. [28:34] Yes. [28:34] Ipagsasabay namin siya, Karen. [28:35] Pwede ba? [28:36] Yes. [28:37] So, before the SONA, [28:40] so July 6 up to, I think, [28:42] July 21, if I'm not mistaken, [28:45] mag-impeachment court. [28:48] I think, again, [28:50] I have to double-check. [28:51] Monday to Thursday. [28:53] 27 daw ang SONA this year. [28:54] Monday to Thursday [28:55] before the SONA. [28:57] And then, after the SONA, [28:59] Tuesday to Thursday, [29:01] sa hapon, [29:02] sa umaga, [29:02] is session. [29:04] So, hindi naman titigil yung legislative. [29:05] But can you convene [29:06] as a legislative body [29:08] while you're on recess? [29:10] We're not convening [29:11] as a legislative body [29:12] while we're on recess. [29:13] We're convening [29:14] as an impeachment court. [29:14] Okay. [29:15] But can you do legislative work? [29:16] No. [29:17] Oh, you can't. [29:17] We will do it after the SONA. [29:19] After the SONA. [29:19] So, bago yung SONA, [29:22] impeachment, [29:23] July 6 onwards. [29:25] Yeah. [29:25] And then, may break sa SONA. [29:26] Pagkatapos ng SONA, [29:28] sabay na yung legislative [29:30] tsaka yung impeachment. [29:31] Okay. [29:31] Now, [29:32] is there hope [29:33] for any form of dialogue? [29:35] Because it seems [29:36] the divide [29:37] is getting more extreme. [29:39] You know, [29:40] we lived through [29:42] Senator Miriam Defensoras Santiago. [29:44] She was extreme. [29:45] But she would go to work, [29:47] debate on the floor, [29:48] participate, [29:49] and it wouldn't be about [29:52] partisanship to an extreme. [29:54] This partisanship [29:56] is extreme, [29:58] considering I've been a journalist [29:59] for 32 years now. [30:01] Right? [30:02] So, [30:03] who among you, [30:05] you'd have to win them over [30:07] at some point. [30:07] They can remain a minority, [30:09] but you'd have to win them over. [30:10] To be fair, [30:12] si Senator Sherwin, [30:13] the reason why [30:14] we chose him [30:16] to lead us [30:17] is because [30:18] si Senator Sherwin [30:19] is known to be [30:20] somebody who can dialogue [30:22] with anybody. [30:24] At nung panahon na siya [30:25] yung finance chair namin, [30:27] and he did a really good job [30:28] for the 2026 budget, [30:30] Karen, [30:31] nakapag-dialog naman siya, [30:33] both majority [30:33] and minority. [30:36] So, [30:37] we're hoping [30:37] that Senator Sherwin [30:38] can be that fresh start [30:40] for the Senate. [30:41] To be fair [30:42] kay Senator Soto, [30:43] unang linggo pa lang, [30:44] sinabi na niya kaagad. [30:45] And ito, [30:46] natouch ako sa kanya. [30:47] Sabi niya, [30:48] alam ko, [30:49] yung iba sa kabila [30:49] may problema sa akin, [30:50] kaya hindi na ako [30:51] lalaban for SP. [30:54] It was quick. [30:55] Wala pa sigurong two minutes. [30:56] So, sige, [30:57] si Sherwin, [30:57] baka siya yung magandang [30:58] maging pinuno natin [31:01] para siya yung [31:02] makapag-re-reach out. [31:03] Bag na-animity. [31:04] Senator Cheese, [31:05] nung araw na pumasok siya, [31:06] sabi rin niya, [31:06] I will also try to [31:07] reach out to the [31:09] members of the minority [31:11] at subukan natin [31:12] na mag-fresh start tayo. [31:14] So, [31:14] alam ko, [31:15] Karin, [31:15] na merong rin tayong [31:16] mga kasama [31:17] on both sides [31:19] who want to just [31:20] get back to a sense of [31:22] palagi ko, [31:23] yung normalcy, [31:24] mahirap na eh. [31:24] Kahit yung tipo na lang [31:26] na nagtatrabaho tayo [31:27] talaga sa session, [31:29] pwede naman tayo [31:29] mag-debate [31:30] hanggang kailan natin gusto eh. [31:32] We can disagree, [31:33] we can vote separately [31:34] or we can vote [31:35] differently on issues, [31:36] pero dun tayo, [31:37] dito tayo magharap, [31:38] let's put everybody [31:39] in the same room, [31:40] ayun yung tungkulin natin. [31:41] I would like to think, [31:42] dahil optimistic akong tao, [31:44] Karin, [31:44] na meron pa rin [31:45] kaming mga kasamahan [31:48] na yun yung gustong unahin, [31:49] yun yung gustong [31:50] gawing primary, [31:51] na goal, [31:52] such that by the impeachment [31:54] and by the time [31:54] we get back to session, [31:56] hindi na ganito, [31:56] na ganito ka gulo. [31:57] Bako? [31:58] Pakiramdam ko ka rin kasi, [32:00] ngayon ha, [32:00] maraming nanonood, [32:02] Karin, no? [32:02] I mean, [32:03] maraming talagang nanonood. [32:04] I mean, [32:04] yung sabi nga ng mga tao, [32:07] ayaw na nila mag Netflix [32:08] o YouTube, [32:09] sinado nila lang daw [32:09] yung papanood nila. [32:10] Senetflix na kayo. [32:11] Senetflix. [32:12] Maraming nanonood, [32:13] pero palagi ko walang natutuwa. [32:15] Oo nga. [32:15] I mean, [32:16] at the end of the day, [32:17] iisipin ng tao, [32:18] maybe it's entertaining [32:19] or, you know, [32:21] gagawa ng mga memes [32:22] or kung ano-ano, [32:24] gagawa ng content, [32:25] pero natutuwa ba talaga [32:26] yung tao [32:27] na yung mga pinuno nila, [32:28] yung mga opisyal na binoto nila, [32:30] nag-aaway-aaway [32:31] imbis na nagtatrabaho [32:32] para sa kanila. [32:32] And I think this affects [32:33] the Senate [32:34] as an institution [32:35] as a whole [32:36] in terms of the ratings [32:37] of the Senate itself. [32:39] Karin, [32:39] ako, [32:40] yung ratings, [32:40] di ko nga tingitingnan eh. [32:41] You look at the historical [32:42] significance of the Senate. [32:44] The Senate has always been [32:45] the last bastion of democracy. [32:47] Kapag magulo ang bansa, [32:49] yung Senate tumatayo, [32:51] tumitindig para sa tama. [32:53] I mean, [32:53] during the 90s, [32:56] you know, [32:56] Tita Corrie, [32:57] of course, [32:57] wanted the bases to remain, [32:59] but the Senate [32:59] stood up [33:00] and voted [33:01] to kick out [33:02] the U.S. bases. [33:04] And yung mga speeches nila, [33:06] Senator Salonga [33:07] and, you know, [33:08] the other senators of that time [33:09] lumalabas ngayon [33:10] at dudugo yung puso mo [33:12] pag nakita mo [33:13] how they stood up [33:14] for the country. [33:15] Even just recently, [33:16] the Senate stood up [33:17] against the charter change. [33:18] Di ba? [33:19] I think this was [33:19] in the last Congress [33:21] during Senator Zubiri's time. [33:23] 24 sila doon, [33:24] nanindigan [33:24] para labanan yung, [33:26] ano nga tawag doon? [33:27] Yung... [33:27] People's Initiative. [33:29] Yung People's Initiative. [33:30] So, [33:31] there were times [33:31] when we stood up [33:32] for what was right [33:33] at kaya yung mangyari [33:35] kung merong pagkakaisa [33:37] to an extent. [33:38] Hindi kailangan [33:38] nag-agree sa lahat ng bagay, [33:40] pero may mga basic [33:41] na pwede tayo mag-agree. [33:43] Yung pinaka-basic doon, [33:44] pumasok tayo. [33:45] Di ba? [33:45] Let's all see each other [33:47] on the floor. [33:47] Dito tayo mag-debate [33:48] tungkol sa pangailangan [33:50] ng bansa, [33:51] ipasa natin yung mga reforma [33:52] na kailangan ng taong bayan. [33:53] You know, [33:53] this is a good opportunity [33:54] for you to also explain it [33:56] because if you go [33:57] through social media, [33:58] meron din na nakalagay, [33:59] eh, nauna naman yung sila, [34:01] eh, kayo yung nag-walkout. [34:02] Iba yung walkout, ah? [34:03] Oo, kasi may quorum na nun, eh. [34:05] May session na nun. [34:06] Okay, so, Karen, [34:07] yung pag-walkout... [34:08] Parang sinimulan nyo yun, eh, [34:09] sinasabi, gano'n? [34:10] Okay, I know, [34:12] I've seen the content. [34:12] I've seen it, right? [34:14] Pero iba yung walkout namin nun. [34:17] Bakit siya iba? [34:17] Because pumasok kami, eh. [34:19] Nasa roll call kami, [34:20] like 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock, [34:22] so nakatatlong oras na kaming... [34:23] Nagde-debate yun. [34:25] ...nagtatrabaho, [34:25] although nag-cocuss siya [34:26] in the middle. [34:27] So meron ng panahon [34:28] yung nagtatrabaho, [34:29] and then it was just [34:30] on that one motion. [34:31] Diba? [34:32] On that one motion, [34:33] doon kami nag-walkout [34:33] as a strategy [34:34] para hindi matuloy yung motion [34:37] na pwede bumoto yung mga senador [34:38] kahit wala sila sa opisina, [34:41] diba, o sa plenario. [34:42] That was one motion. [34:44] Hindi yung tipong [34:44] hindi kami magpapakita at all. [34:47] Na tatlong araw pa [34:48] na violation pa [34:49] of the Constitution. [34:50] So ibang-ibang-iba yun. [34:51] Ibang-iba yun, Karen. [34:52] It's not the same. [34:53] Okay. [34:54] Now, the impeachment trial [34:56] will you then choose [35:00] a presiding officer [35:02] who is a lawyer? [35:04] I'll leave that to [35:05] Senator Sherwin, Karen. [35:07] Iiwan ko na yan sa kanya. [35:08] But have you... [35:08] I don't, I don't, [35:09] I will not object to it. [35:10] It's really up to him. [35:12] The impeachment [35:13] is a high-pressure situation. [35:16] And para sa amin, [35:18] of course, [35:19] the acting Senate President, [35:20] hopefully he will be [35:21] formally the Senate President [35:23] by that time, [35:24] will be Senator Sherwin. [35:26] And then we included [35:27] in the rules, [35:27] just like the Senate now, [35:29] you can choose someone else [35:30] to preside [35:31] kung may gusto kang sabihin [35:32] or kung may mga panahon [35:33] na nais mo mag-participate. [35:36] So we included that [35:38] in the rules [35:38] and it will be up to [35:39] Senator Sherwin [35:40] if he wants to [35:41] designate a presiding officer. [35:43] Pero technically speaking, [35:44] you don't have to be a lawyer, right? [35:46] No. [35:46] You don't have to be. [35:47] There's no requirement [35:48] to be presiding officer. [35:49] The only requirement [35:50] is your Senate President. [35:53] If I were to ask you [35:54] before we go to a break, [35:55] what is your biggest frustration [35:57] other than not going [35:59] and not having sessions? [36:01] What has been your biggest frustration [36:03] other than that [36:04] in this whole exercise? [36:06] Well, Karen, [36:07] yun na yun eh. [36:08] Yun na yun. [36:08] Alam mo, [36:09] kinaya ko yung [36:09] kinaya ko yung maraming [36:11] the weeks leading up to that week [36:13] na hindi po mapasok [36:14] yung kabilang grupo. [36:16] Kinaya namin lahat yun eh. [36:18] Di ba? [36:18] Ang gulo-gulo, [36:19] raming nangyayari, [36:21] may mga bangayan na, [36:22] na-accuse pa kami dun sa [36:23] puto ka na may alam kami, [36:25] may mga ganyan pa yan, [36:26] di ba? [36:27] Kakayaan mo lahat yun [36:28] kasi big boys and big girls [36:30] naman kami. [36:30] We were politicians. [36:31] We've been here for a long time. [36:33] Pero yung hindi ka papasok [36:34] ng tatlong araw, [36:36] sobra na yun, di ba? [36:38] That's too much already. [36:39] May utang ka na sa taong bayan [36:40] yun eh, [36:40] na kailangan kang pumasok. [36:42] So, for me, [36:43] and for many, [36:44] I think, [36:45] I would assume [36:45] for a number of the other senators, [36:48] pati rin yung mga [36:48] nagtatrabaho sa Senado, [36:50] yun yung talagang, [36:52] mahirap talagang tanggapin [36:53] na ganun-ganun na lang. [36:55] So, [36:56] dahil yun yung rason [36:58] kung bakit [36:59] nangyayari na nga ito, [37:01] ang ibig sabihin nun, [37:02] yung kailangan naming [37:02] ibigay sa taong bayan, [37:04] yung tamang pagtatrabaho [37:05] para sa kanila. [37:06] You've worked with [37:07] Senator Alan Cayetano before. [37:09] Maybe you have [37:10] some form of friendship as well. [37:12] We are. [37:12] We are. [37:12] Okay. [37:13] What is your... [37:14] We have many [37:14] common friends [37:16] who are pastors, actually. [37:18] That's the irony of this. [37:19] No, no. [37:20] What is your... [37:21] Do you have a message for him? [37:22] Have you tried to dialogue with him? [37:24] No, [37:25] hindi pa kami nagkikita. [37:26] And pag nagkita na kami, [37:27] I'll talk to him [37:27] as a friend [37:28] and as a colleague. [37:31] Hopefully, [37:31] pag nagkita na kami [37:32] sa special session [37:33] or during the impeachment [37:35] or during the [37:36] time that session [37:37] is back in July, [37:39] doon na kami mag-uusap, Karen. [37:40] And hindi kailangan [37:41] lahat ng pag-uusap [37:42] tinitweet [37:43] or tinifacebook. [37:45] Diba? [37:46] Sometimes, [37:46] yung pinakamagandang pag-uusap, [37:47] yung person-to-person talaga. [37:49] Diba? [37:50] And I hope I'll have that chance [37:51] to do that [37:52] at the right time. [37:53] Okay. [37:53] That is if they attend [37:55] the special session [37:56] called by the President. [37:57] The President hasn't called it yet. [37:59] Yes. [37:59] So, to be accurate, no? [38:01] But there are many opportunities [38:03] na magkita-kita [38:05] at magsama-sama. [38:07] Okay. [38:08] Alright. [38:08] We're gonna take a quick break [38:09] and start. [38:10] We'll be right back [38:11] with Senator Bam Aquino. [38:24] Level up your experience [38:25] with Bet 88 Sports. [38:27] Enjoy competitive odds [38:29] and lots of free bets. [38:33] Bet 88, all your favorite sports. [38:35] All in one place. [38:37] Bet 88, your ultimate playground. [38:39] For three decades, [38:51] ANC has been a witness [38:52] to the country's historic moments, [38:55] maintaining the highest standards [38:57] of Philippine broadcast journalism. [38:59] Home to the country's [39:01] most seasoned news veterans, [39:03] ANC remains at the forefront [39:05] of the truth. [39:07] Now, our reach grows even wider. [39:09] Starting today, [39:10] ANC officially airs [39:12] on Signal Channel 27, [39:14] bringing all your favorite news programs [39:16] to a broader audience. [39:18] More choices, [39:19] more perspectives, [39:20] and the same responsible journalism [39:23] you've trusted for a generation. [39:26] ABS-CBN News Channel, [39:27] now on Signal. [39:29] Before each weekday [39:35] comes to a close, [39:37] the ABS-CBN News Channel [39:39] delivers a comprehensive roundup [39:41] of accurate and timely reports [39:43] from seasoned journalists [39:46] who provide context [39:47] along with insights [39:49] from reliable experts. [39:50] Get the news that matters [39:53] in the Philippines [39:54] and around the globe [39:55] from the world tonight. [39:58] Anchored by Tony Velasquez. [40:02] On our broadcast tonight, [40:03] the Catch It weekdays on cable [40:05] at 9 p.m. in the Philippines [40:07] and also on the ANC 24-7 [40:10] YouTube channel. [40:11] Important to address [40:21] the need to awareness [40:23] and education among companies [40:25] and individuals [40:26] who are collecting personal data. [40:28] We understand also [40:29] that these small [40:30] and medium enterprise [40:32] or businesses [40:32] are having a difficulty [40:34] when it comes to complying. [40:39] We provide issue 1 sets, [40:41] guidelines, [40:42] advisory opinions [40:43] that they can use [40:46] as reference [40:46] when they are collecting [40:48] personal data. [41:03] All right, [41:03] welcome back to Head Start. [41:05] Millions of Filipino students [41:06] troop back to school [41:08] on Monday [41:09] under the new [41:11] three-term calendar. [41:12] Francis Orosho reports. [41:16] The Philippine Education Department [41:18] expects between 26 million [41:20] and 28 million learners [41:21] to attend public [41:22] and private schools [41:23] this school year. [41:24] Students of Senator Benigno [41:26] Aquino Jr. Elementary School [41:27] in Baseco, Manila [41:28] arrived early on the first day [41:30] of classes this Monday. [41:31] As early as 5 in the morning, [41:33] many parents and learners [41:34] were already waiting [41:35] outside the school gate. [41:37] Upon entry, [41:38] students were immediately [41:39] directed to their lines [41:40] as school officials [41:41] carried out [41:42] the opening program [41:43] in an orderly manner. [41:45] School officials said [41:46] the opening of classes [41:47] for school year 2026-2027 [41:49] proceeded smoothly. [41:51] They credited this [41:52] to the extensive preparations [41:53] carried out [41:54] through Brigada Escuela. [41:56] More than 5,000 students [41:57] from kindergarten [41:58] to grade 6 [41:59] are currently enrolled [42:00] in the school. [42:00] The school year also marks [42:12] the implementation [42:13] of the new [42:13] three-term school calendar. [42:15] Under the system, [42:16] the academic year [42:17] is divided into three terms. [42:19] Each composed of [42:20] an opening block [42:21] for orientation and assessment, [42:23] an instructional block [42:24] dedicated to classroom learning, [42:26] and an end-of-term block [42:27] for co-curricular activities, [42:29] assessments, [42:30] and wellness breaks. [42:31] Despite this major change, [42:33] school officials admitted [42:34] they have yet to conduct [42:35] a parents' orientation [42:36] to fully explain [42:38] the new calendar system. [42:39] Actually, [42:40] merong kaming activity [42:41] this week [42:42] naka-schedule na po [42:44] ang aming parent orientation [42:46] at yan po ang highlights namin [42:48] na i-inform ang mga magulang [42:51] about the three-term school calendar. [42:54] Meanwhile, [42:54] a previous assessment [42:55] by the 2nd Congressional Commission [42:56] on Education or EDCOM 2 [42:58] found that many students [43:00] with reading and numeracy difficulties [43:02] were not actively participating [43:04] in the school's recovery programs. [43:06] Under the Academic Recovery [43:07] and Accessible Learning [43:08] or Adal Summer Program, [43:10] 374 learners were identified [43:12] as needing additional tutoring. [43:15] However, [43:15] only 84 completed the program. [43:18] Despite this, [43:19] those who did not finish [43:20] were still promoted [43:21] to the next grade level. [43:23] For the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, [43:25] the situation reflects [43:26] a continuing problem [43:27] of mass promotion [43:28] in the education system. [43:30] Malungkot kung ganyan ang mga [43:32] reports na ganyan [43:34] na kahit sa aral program, [43:37] pinapasa pa rin. [43:40] So in other words, [43:41] yung mass promotion [43:42] nangyayari pa rin. [43:44] So, [43:45] ang problema talaga [43:45] yung buong sistema [43:47] ang kailangan [43:49] tignan dito [43:51] dahil [43:53] natutulak, [43:55] napipilit ang lahat [43:56] na magpasa. [43:57] The group also conducted [43:59] its annual [43:59] Visita Eskwela [44:00] monitoring activity [44:01] in various schools [44:02] to assess conditions [44:03] on the first day of classes. [44:05] Ang isang concern natin, [44:07] yung napakaraming klase, [44:11] yung loading [44:11] ng mga teachers. [44:13] Kung titignan natin [44:15] ang mga schedules, [44:17] 7 hanggang 8 [44:18] kasama yung aral program [44:20] ang kailangan iturong subject [44:22] sa isang araw [44:23] ng maraming mga teacher. [44:26] In Quezon City, [44:27] school officials [44:28] at Batasan Hills National High School [44:29] and President Corazon Aquino [44:31] Elementary School [44:31] also expressed confidence [44:33] in their readiness [44:34] to implement [44:35] the three-term school calendar. [44:37] Batasan Hills National High School [44:38] has enrolled [44:39] more than 15,000 students [44:41] this school year, [44:42] while President Corazon Aquino [44:44] Elementary School [44:44] has recorded [44:45] about 7,900 enrollees. [44:48] Both schools expect [44:49] their numbers to increase [44:50] further with the arrival [44:51] of late enrollees. [44:53] Meanwhile, [44:53] the Metropolitan Manila [44:54] Development Authority [44:55] or MMDA [44:56] also conducted [44:57] intensified clearing operations [44:59] in school zones [45:00] across Quezon City [45:01] on Monday. [45:02] The MMDA said [45:03] the operations [45:04] aim to remove road obstruction [45:05] and improve traffic flow. [45:07] Operations were also [45:08] extended along [45:09] Mabuhay lanes [45:10] to ensure the safety [45:11] of pedestrians [45:12] and students [45:12] while promoting [45:13] strict road discipline. [45:15] Francis Orsio, [45:16] ABS-CBN News. [45:19] Alright, [45:20] we're still joined [45:21] by Senator Bam Aquino. [45:22] You have over [45:23] 28 million enrollees [45:25] for this year. [45:26] Yes. [45:26] And from a quarterly [45:28] now, [45:28] it's a three-term system. [45:30] What are the challenges? [45:32] Maraming challenges, [45:33] Karen, [45:33] dun sa three-term system. [45:34] In fact, [45:34] nag-hearing kami dyan. [45:36] Ang pakiusap [45:37] ng mga magulang [45:38] at ng mga guro [45:39] ay bigyan sila [45:40] ng konting espasyo [45:41] para mag-adjust. [45:42] But of course, [45:43] Deped decided [45:44] to push through with it. [45:45] So we'll continue [45:46] to monitor. [45:47] What changes [45:47] about three-terms? [45:47] Can you explain, [45:48] Leymana, [45:49] anong magbabago? [45:49] Well, [45:50] imbista dalawa, [45:51] tatlo na yung [45:53] grading period natin. [45:54] And this was specifically made [45:56] para mas kumonte [45:57] yung mga araw [45:58] na walang pasok. [46:00] So in every school year, [46:04] masyado tayong maraming araw [46:06] na walang pasok [46:07] because of different things. [46:08] Whether may calling off [46:10] of classes [46:11] because of flooding, [46:13] rain, [46:13] or kung anuman, [46:15] or maraming holiday, [46:16] local holiday, [46:18] national holiday. [46:20] So para malimita yun, [46:22] they did that change [46:23] into a three-term system. [46:25] They also feel [46:25] na mas magiging madali ito [46:27] for the teachers din. [46:28] Now, [46:29] it's a good idea, [46:32] but I was hoping, [46:33] personally, [46:34] na gagawin muna itong pilot [46:35] bago siya gawin [46:36] throughout the system. [46:38] But Deped decided [46:39] to push through with it na, [46:40] pull the trigger already, [46:42] ituloy na ito, [46:42] we will continue to monitor [46:44] kung kumusta yung [46:45] implementation ito. [46:46] Okay. [46:47] Alright, [46:47] I'm curious, [46:48] is it possible [46:48] to remove holidays [46:49] for all public schools [46:52] considering, [46:52] wag kayong magalit sa akin [46:53] sa tanong ito, [46:55] considering, [46:56] marami naman within the year [46:57] talaga na hindi pumapasok [46:59] because of natural calamities. [47:01] You get me? [47:02] Nag-offset. [47:04] Ang national holidays [47:05] na batas [47:06] ay hindi pwedeng baguhin. [47:08] Okay. [47:08] Pero may mga holiday kasi [47:10] na hindi naman talaga holiday, [47:12] pero yung klase, [47:13] called off, [47:13] kasi meron kayong [47:14] celebration, [47:17] meron kayong, [47:18] you know, [47:20] kunyari, [47:20] national something day [47:22] and then half of that day, [47:24] ubus na, [47:25] you know, [47:26] so they want to limit [47:26] all of these, [47:28] nawawala yung days of instruction, [47:29] they want to limit that. [47:31] At yung pangunahing [47:32] solusyon ng Deped [47:33] was to convert [47:34] to this, [47:34] to this three-term system. [47:37] Okay, [47:37] alright, [47:37] now let's talk about [47:38] gensang, [47:40] you know, [47:40] the earthquake, [47:41] you know, [47:42] you have so many schools [47:43] that have been affected, [47:44] okay, [47:44] what's the latest, [47:45] Senator? [47:45] In fact, [47:46] lumalabas ka rin [47:47] na 3.2 million learners [47:49] were affected, [47:50] no? [47:51] Wow. [47:51] This ranges from [47:52] Zamboanga Peninsula, [47:54] Northern Mindanao, [47:55] Davao Region, [47:56] Soxargen, [47:57] Patikaraga. [47:58] Over a thousand classrooms [48:00] were damaged [48:01] during the earthquake yesterday. [48:03] That much? [48:03] Yes. [48:04] Isang libong classroom po yan [48:06] ang nasira [48:07] dahil po sa earthquake. [48:08] Nakita naman natin, [48:09] mga malalaking gusali, [48:11] nahulog. [48:11] There was even [48:12] one video talagang [48:14] ang samaan [48:15] ng pakiramdam ko, [48:16] yung in the public school [48:18] mismo, [48:18] sa isang K-12 [48:20] at umiiyak [48:21] yung mga bata. [48:22] Buti na lang, [48:23] nandun na sila [48:23] sa labas sila. [48:25] But as they were outside, [48:27] makikita mo yung isang [48:28] parang covered court yata yun [48:30] or isang structure [48:31] na gumuho. [48:32] Buti na lang, [48:33] walang casualty doon. [48:34] But you can imagine [48:35] the trauma na [48:36] pagdadaanan [48:37] ng mga bata. [48:38] So, [48:38] ang raming kailangan [48:39] gawin ka rin. [48:40] A thousand classrooms [48:41] ang nasira. [48:42] Of course, [48:42] 37 ang casualty count [48:44] natin ngayon [48:45] during this earthquake. [48:48] Government needs [48:49] to come in, [48:50] act fast. [48:52] Yung pagbibigay [48:52] ng pondo [48:53] para ma-repair [48:54] yung mga classroom [48:55] o para gumawa [48:55] ng mga bagong classroom, [48:57] kailangan mabilis. [48:59] And one of the priorities [49:00] of our committee [49:01] is also to check [49:03] yung nakalaan [49:04] na 67 billion pesos [49:05] for 25,000 [49:07] or so classrooms. [49:09] Kumusta na ito? [49:10] Kasi June na. [49:11] It's already [49:12] half of the year [49:13] at marami sa mga [49:14] classrooms na ito, [49:15] hindi pa rin siya [49:16] nasisimulan. [49:18] Who is building [49:19] the classrooms? [49:20] What is the target? [49:21] The target for the year [49:23] is to start [49:23] 25,000 to 30,000 [49:25] classrooms. [49:26] So, [49:26] pag nag-hiring na po kami [49:27] come July, [49:29] we hope na malaman natin [49:30] nasa na ba tayo [49:31] dito sa schedule natin. [49:33] May mga classrooms [49:34] dyan na ibigay [49:36] sa mga governors [49:37] para gawin, [49:38] sa mga city mayors, [49:39] meron din sa DPWH [49:41] na isa natin makita [49:42] kung ano ba yung schedule [49:44] ng pagbubuo ng classroom [49:45] at maaabot ba natin [49:47] yung ating target [49:47] na 26,000 classrooms [49:49] started in 2026. [49:51] So, if I were to ask you [49:52] because education's [49:53] been your advocacy [49:54] for many years [49:55] and all the years [49:56] you've been in the Senate, [49:57] education has the highest budget. [50:00] Yes. [50:00] 1.34 trillion pesos, Karen. [50:02] So, what is our problem? [50:04] Where, [50:05] what is it? [50:06] Where's the gaps? [50:08] The loophole? [50:09] Napakarami. [50:10] Ano ba? [50:11] May pera naman? [50:12] Yung pera, [50:13] kulang pa rin yan, Karen. [50:14] Kulang pa rin. [50:14] Kulang pa rin yan. [50:15] The spending that we need to do, [50:17] itong 67 billion, [50:19] biggest na yan [50:20] in our history [50:20] for classrooms [50:21] but we have to spend [50:22] at that level [50:23] for 8 to 10 years [50:24] para lang mapunuan [50:26] lahat ng classroom [50:26] na kulang sa Pilipinas. [50:28] Yung teachers natin [50:29] kailangan ng support. [50:30] Many of them feel [50:31] underpaid [50:32] and overworked [50:33] yung internet [50:34] na napakahalaga na [50:35] for our learning environment. [50:36] Kailangan nandyan [50:37] yung textbooks [50:38] and most importantly, [50:41] ito talaga, [50:41] most importantly, [50:42] kailangan mapasa na [50:43] yung amendments [50:44] to the National Feeding [50:45] Program Law. [50:46] So, I was supposed [50:48] to sponsor this [50:49] noong May 11. [50:50] Nakuha ko na yung signatures [50:51] na kasama ko. [50:53] Maraming pumirma [50:54] pero hindi ko ito na-sponsor [50:55] dahil nagkaroon [50:56] ng leadership change. [50:57] Pagbalik na pagbalik [50:58] sa session, [50:59] we will sponsor this, [51:00] we will push for this. [51:02] Ito yung nag-amend [51:03] sa ating National [51:04] Feeding Program Law [51:06] para ngayon, [51:07] lahat na ng [51:08] kinder to grade 3 [51:09] meron ng pagkain. [51:11] Currently, Karen, [51:11] kasi yung lumang batas, [51:13] yung malnourished [51:14] tsaka stunted lang [51:15] at undernourished [51:16] yung bibigyan ng pagkain. [51:17] After this law is passed [51:19] and we have full support [51:20] from DepEd [51:21] and from my [51:22] congressional counterparts [51:23] kina Congressman [51:23] Roman Romulo, [51:25] pag napasa na ito, [51:27] lahat ng kinder [51:27] to grade 3 [51:28] sa mga public school [51:29] mabibigyan na [51:30] ng masustansyong pagkain. [51:31] And how many are they? [51:32] How many would they be? [51:33] Because 28 million [51:34] is the total enrollees. [51:36] Yeah, that's about [51:37] 4 or 5 million. [51:38] Marami yan. [51:39] Maraming maraming [51:40] kabataan yan na [51:41] target natin dito. [51:43] Malaking pondo [51:44] yung ilalaan dito. [51:45] And we took [51:47] about 7 months [51:48] to study [51:48] how to do this properly. [51:50] Kasi hindi sapat [51:51] na bigyan mo ng pera [51:52] yung DepEd. [51:53] I wanted to ask you that. [51:54] So where does [51:55] the problem lie? [51:56] So eto na yung pera. [51:58] Andiyan na yung pera. [51:59] O gawin nyo yung classroom. [52:00] Eto yung feeding program. [52:02] Where is the problem [52:03] in between? [52:04] Okay, so maraming [52:05] modalities na pwede dyan, Karen. [52:06] Unang-una, [52:07] ang pinakasimple, [52:08] yung mga [52:08] pre-packaged [52:10] nutritious goods. [52:12] Mga cookies, [52:13] mga nutriban, [52:14] kung ano, ganyan. [52:16] At unfortunately, [52:17] yung mga bata, [52:18] nagsasawa rin sila dyan. [52:19] Yeah, yeah, yeah. [52:20] Ang pinaka gold standard natin, [52:22] hot meals. [52:23] Agree. [52:24] Okay, hot meals [52:24] for our children. [52:25] Ang better pa dyan, [52:27] kung yung hot meals, [52:28] nabibili natin yung mga gulay [52:29] at yung mga karni [52:30] at baboy [52:30] dun mismo sa mga local farmers. [52:32] Ito naman, [52:33] adbukasiya yan [52:33] ni Senator Kiko. [52:34] So, there are different [52:36] modalities [52:37] that we need to allow. [52:38] Kailangan natin bigyan [52:39] ng konting espasyo [52:40] yung mga local government unit, [52:42] yung private sector, [52:44] at yung depedan mismo [52:45] na per area, [52:47] baka iba-iba yung ating [52:49] paraan. [52:50] Because there are some [52:51] local government units. [52:52] But is the money released as fast? [52:53] No, it's not. [52:54] So, isa pa yan. [52:55] So, marami tayong [52:56] local government units. [52:57] They're award winning [52:58] because of their nutrition program. [53:00] Oh, really? [53:01] So, yung mga yun, [53:02] bigay mo nila yung pondo [53:03] sa kanila, [53:04] sila na mag-implement. [53:05] Yung iba naman, [53:06] na medyo hirap talaga, [53:07] maybe we can have like, [53:10] and this is in the cities, [53:11] yung prepackaged food. [53:12] Diba? [53:12] Kasi siguro mahirap [53:14] yung fresh food. [53:15] So, maraming iba't ibang [53:17] klaseng modality, [53:18] we have the best practices [53:19] over the last so many years, [53:21] at nabuo na yung batas na yan. [53:22] Once that's passed, [53:24] and it's funded for 2027, [53:26] there's already an increase [53:27] for 2026, [53:28] but once it's funded [53:28] even more for 2027, [53:31] yung isang malaking problema [53:32] sa ating public schools [53:33] na pumapasok yung mga bata [53:35] na gutom. [53:35] Hindi sila makapagbasa, [53:37] hindi sila makapag-aral, [53:38] hindi sila nahihirapan silang [53:39] matuto dahil nagugutom sila. [53:41] This can be addressed. [53:43] Now, yung isa pang magagawa [53:44] ng batas, Karen, [53:45] yung mga gaps, [53:46] mapupunuan. [53:47] Ano yung gap? [53:48] Meron ka kasing tulong [53:49] sa mga pregnant mothers. [53:52] First 1,000 days. [53:54] So, ibig sabihin, [53:54] hanggang 3 years old yan. [53:56] Eh, yung pumapasok sa skwelahan, [53:58] 5 years old, [53:58] tsaka 6 years old eh. [54:00] So, meron kang 2 years [54:01] na walang pagkain, [54:03] yung mga bata. [54:03] So, the law also fills in [54:05] those gaps [54:06] para habang yung mga nanay, [54:08] buntis pa lang, [54:08] may suporta na. [54:10] Habang baby, [54:11] may suporta na. [54:11] Habang tumatanda, [54:12] may suporta na. [54:13] Tapos pagpasok sa skwelahan, [54:14] meron pang school feeding program. [54:16] So, we're looking at [54:17] a major shift [54:18] towards nutrition, [54:20] towards helping [54:20] our children [54:22] to become healthier [54:23] para mas makapag-aral, [54:25] mas matuto [54:26] at yung mga grades [54:27] na laging pinag-uusapan, [54:28] kulang ng literacy, [54:29] kulang ng ganito, [54:30] maa-address yan [54:31] kung may laman ng tiyan [54:32] yung mga bata. [54:33] So, this is a major reform. [54:35] And this is one of the main priorities [54:37] pagbalik na pagbalik. [54:39] I was hoping... [54:40] Can you make children [54:41] in the Philippines? [54:42] Honestly, [54:43] I don't think it's funny. [54:45] But we don't eat enough eggs. [54:47] I mean, [54:48] I know it may sound funny now, [54:49] but right, [54:50] the truth is, [54:51] eggs are everything. [54:53] Protein helps your intelligence. [54:54] Hindi ako magpapanggap [54:55] na doktor kare na. [54:56] So, ano yan? [54:58] May nagsuggest ng eggs, [54:59] may nagsuggest ng malunggay, [55:01] may nagsuggest ng gatas ng... [55:03] Kalabaw. [55:04] Hindi, kalabaw. [55:05] Ng kambing. [55:07] Okay, maraming sinasuggest. [55:09] May mga doktor tayo [55:10] at scientist [55:11] na pwede magbuo niyan. [55:12] You have the National [55:13] Nutrition Council for that. [55:15] Ako lang, [55:16] nandyan dapat yung framework, [55:17] nandyan yung pondo, [55:18] nandyan yung paraan. [55:19] And then we allow [55:20] all of these local governments [55:22] and the local schools [55:23] to determine [55:24] ano yung best solution for them. [55:25] As long as the support is there, [55:27] mangyayari, [55:27] kayang mangyari yan, [55:29] Karin. [55:29] Yeah, yeah, yeah. [55:29] This is a big shift [55:31] from so many years. [55:32] Nung first term ko pa lang [55:33] pinag-uusapan na ito eh. [55:34] Paano natin ito papakainin? [55:35] And now, [55:36] ako, [55:37] sa tingin ko, [55:37] we have the budget [55:38] and we need the political will [55:40] to get it done [55:40] na yung mga bata [55:41] may pagkain sila. [55:42] Okay, alright. [55:43] Other than the feeding program, [55:45] of course, [55:45] watching the budget [55:46] for education, [55:47] is there another advocacy [55:49] that you want to see through? [55:51] Okay, [55:52] marami ito, Karin. [55:53] Okay. [55:53] Unang-una, [55:54] we have two bills in Congress [55:55] na hinihintay na lang namin. [55:57] Pasado na ito sa Senado, [55:59] hinihintay namin sa Kongreso [56:01] na may pasa naman nila. [56:02] This is the CAP and Cadena. [56:04] Yung CAP is the [56:05] Classroom Acceleration Program [56:07] na siyang tutulong [56:09] na ma-accelerate [56:10] yung paggawa [56:12] ng mas maraming classroom. [56:13] The basic idea there... [56:14] So may budget na yun [56:15] pero wala pa yung [56:16] acceleration program? [56:17] Wala pa. [56:17] So, yung laman ng [56:19] acceleration program, [56:20] nandun naman siya [56:20] sa special provisions [56:21] ng GAA. [56:22] But that's good [56:23] for only this year. [56:24] I see. [56:24] Pag napasa na yung batas, [56:25] ibig sabihin, [56:27] looking forward, [56:28] may mga paraan na tayo [56:29] na nakabuilt in [56:30] na mas mabilis [56:31] yung paggawa ng classroom. [56:32] And basically, [56:33] we are asking the LGUs [56:35] to build side by side [56:37] with the national government. [56:38] Sabay-sabay tayong gagawa. [56:40] Kung sabay-sabay tayong gagawa, [56:41] mapupunuan natin [56:42] yung gap na ito. [56:43] Kung isang ahensya lang [56:44] yung gumagawa, [56:45] kaabot talaga tayo [56:46] ng 30 to 40 years. [56:47] We need to activate. [56:49] Ano pa yung isang maganda dito [56:50] sa Classroom Acceleration Program, [56:51] Karen? [56:52] Kapag maraming nagbe-build [56:53] in many areas, [56:54] yung ekonomiya natin [56:56] gumagana. [56:57] Yung construction workers [56:58] may trabaho. [56:59] So, it will also help [57:01] ang bilang namin [57:02] it will help create [57:03] 100,000 jobs [57:04] if that budget [57:06] is distributed [57:07] across different areas [57:08] and we allow the LGUs [57:10] to build alongside [57:11] the national agency. [57:13] Yung isa pa [57:13] na hinihintay namin [57:14] yung kadena, [57:15] blockchain the budget. [57:16] But wasn't this a priority? [57:18] It is, but... [57:19] But I thought... [57:21] Kaya gusto natin [57:21] mag-hearing ka rin, [57:22] malaman nasaan na [57:24] ang prosesong ito [57:25] at makita natin [57:27] yung estimate [57:28] ng paggamit ng pondo. [57:29] Kailan ba ito magagamit? [57:30] Kailan ito madadownload? [57:31] Kailan tayo magagroundbreaking? [57:33] Ang goal natin [57:34] is 26,000 classrooms [57:36] this year. [57:37] But ideally, [57:37] before the SONA, [57:39] that should already be... [57:40] that should have passed. [57:42] Ideally, [57:42] so that it's part [57:43] of the SONA. [57:44] It's also LEDAC. [57:45] It's also part [57:45] of the priority. [57:46] So, bakit nakabin-bin ito? [57:48] Yung pangalawa... [57:49] It's not a good sign. [57:50] Yung pangunahing tugon [57:52] sa mga problema [57:54] sa flood control, [57:54] yung blockchain the budget. [57:56] Diba? [57:56] You had the enforcement side, [57:58] which the Ombudsman is doing. [57:59] Pero pag iting sa legislation, [58:01] yung blockchain the budget [58:02] and transparency push, [58:04] yun yung pangunahing [58:05] panglaban natin [58:06] sa korupsyon. [58:06] Hindi pa rin pasado [58:07] sa Kongreso. [58:08] O, [58:09] ang tagal na yung pasado [58:09] na yan sa Senado. [58:10] Bakit wala pa rin [58:11] sa Kongreso? [58:12] Kaya we're hoping, [58:13] our partners in Congress [58:14] can speed this up. [58:16] Hindi na siya aabot [58:16] sa SONA, Karen. [58:18] It will have to happen [58:18] after the SONA. [58:19] Baka naman kasi nga [58:19] kung ano-ano inatupag [58:21] sa Kongres? [58:22] Kami yung maraming [58:23] kung ano-ano inatupag. [58:24] They had a lot of time [58:25] noong May and June [58:27] to get that passed. [58:28] So, we're hoping [58:29] it will also pass. [58:30] Dalawa lang yan. [58:31] Ano pa yung mga [58:32] in the works? [58:32] Okay, you have a minute to go. [58:34] School to Employment Program [58:35] na siyang [58:36] baka pwedeng tumugon [58:37] sa mga problema [58:38] sa K-12. [58:39] Pero wala pa nun ngayon? [58:40] Hindi pa siya [58:41] across all of the schools. [58:44] Yung School Safety Act [58:45] na pwedeng tumugon [58:46] sa bullying, [58:46] I know this is also [58:47] an issue close to your heart. [58:50] Nag-hearing na kami diyan [58:51] and maraming suggestions [58:52] on increasing the security, [58:54] creating the councils [58:55] para matigil yung bullying, [58:57] both preventive [58:58] and [58:58] yung [58:59] to address [59:00] or enforcement side. [59:02] Napakarami pang [59:03] kailangan gawin, Karen. [59:04] And ako naman, [59:05] ang balak lang natin, [59:07] when we get back to session, [59:08] bumalik tayo [59:09] sa isang Senado [59:10] na talagang ginagawa [59:11] yung mga reforma [59:12] ang kailangan ng tao. [59:13] Alright. [59:13] Keywords [59:14] when we get back to session. [59:16] Thank you. [59:17] Senator Bam Aquino, [59:18] thank you so much for that. [59:20] Thank you for joining me live. [59:21] And that's yet to start today, [59:23] everybody. [59:23] Thanks for watching. [59:24] You can catch this interview [59:26] with Senator Bam Aquino [59:27] on YouTube [59:28] and watch ANC Live [59:30] when you subscribe to [59:31] I Want. [59:31] Stay Informed [59:33] and Stay with ANC. [59:35] For the journey [59:54] of our young democracy, [59:56] in ANC, [59:56] we were witnesses [59:57] to the defining moments [59:58] of Philippine history [1:00:00] that influenced the world. [1:00:09] A million groups [1:00:10] of the nation. [1:00:11] This is the Philippines. [1:00:18] And we are