Headstart: Sen. Bam Aquino on Senate leadership row, Blue Ribbon probe, VP impeachment, quake impact

[0:00] Alright, joining us this morning live in the studio is Senator Bam Aquino. [0:05] Senator Bam, thank you. [0:07] Alright, what a mess. [0:09] What is going on? [0:11] There are two leaderships in the House. [0:14] How are you functioning, the whole system? [0:17] Well, una-una, Karen, there is one legitimate leadership [0:21] and that's the block led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. [0:25] On the last day of session, 12 kami, pumasok si Senator Cheese [0:29] and we were able to have 12. [0:31] We were able to declare all positions vacant. [0:34] We were able to put in new committee chairman. [0:37] And pagkatapos nun, we elected Senator Win as the Senate President Pro Tempore. [0:42] And that's backed up by jurisprudence. [0:44] That's backed up by presidents. [0:47] And right now, ang kinikilala ng executive, ng House, ng iba pang mga legal luminaries, [0:53] yung Gatchalian Block, which we used to call the Solid Block 11. [0:57] So ngayon, Solid Block 11 plus 1, di ba? [1:00] So we're committed to continuing doing the work of the Senate. [1:04] Tutuloy namin yung trabaho ng Senado na alam kong yun naman talaga rin yung hinahanap ng tao. [1:08] Hindi itong gulo, hindi itong mga bangayan, [1:11] pero yung totoong trabaho ng Senado, yun yung hinahanap nila. [1:13] At committed kami na ipagpatuloy yun. [1:15] Okay, so now Congress is on recess. [1:19] I want to ask you, with the current setup of the Cayetano Block refusing to give in, [1:26] refusing to recognize the Gatchalian Block, how are you able to work? [1:30] So let's explain it to the public. [1:31] For example, you are the committee chair of education now. [1:35] Yes. [1:36] Dati it was... [1:37] Senator Loren. [1:38] So it was myself, and then on May 11, yung araw na dumating si Sen. Bato, [1:45] dugo yung kamay niya, naghabulan and all of that. [1:48] Nagkaroon ng leadership change, napalitan po tayo. [1:51] But last June 3, because we had the majority, [1:56] nabalik po tayo as education chairperson. [1:58] Okay, so what happens now? [2:00] How does that affect the committee that the minority, [2:03] or the Cayetano Block refuses to acknowledge the Gatchalian Block? [2:08] How does that affect your job? [2:10] Well, unang-una, Karen, kapag 13 na kami, [2:12] which we're predicting will be very soon at nag-special session, [2:15] mafo-formalize na yung pag-elect ng bagong Senate President, no? [2:20] Now, in the case na hindi mangyari yun, [2:23] pagrating ng July at nag-session na kami, [2:25] there's 12 of us, and there's only 10 in the Cayetano Block. [2:29] So kahit anong mangyari, pag nagsimula na yung session, [2:32] mas marami talaga kami, di ba? [2:35] Ang tanong na lang dyan, magagawa ba yan this June, [2:39] or at the soonest possible time? [2:40] Sa tingin ko, mangyayari yan, at pag nangyari na yan, [2:43] talagang pwede na tayong mag, masabi ngang, [2:46] back to business at bumalik sa pagtatrabaho para sa bayan. [2:49] So may isa pa kayo na inaasahan mula sa Cayetano Block, [2:53] nalilipat. [2:54] Yes. [2:55] Okay? [2:56] So si Sen. Loren Bato, Sen. Joel. [2:58] Ang taba yan, mas exciting kung hindi alam nating lahat [3:02] at doon na lang sa araw na yun, Karen. [3:03] But I'm hoping, praying, expecting. [3:07] But what would they transfer? I'm curious, Sen. [3:08] Well, ito eh. Okay. [3:09] So ang rami nangyari since May 11. [3:11] May habulan, may putukan, may samaan ng loob, may naghamunan. [3:17] Ang rami nangyari. [3:18] But I think the hair that broke the camel's back, [3:21] yung talagang naging trigger point para sa marami sa amin, [3:24] at alam ko kahit yung iba sa mga kasama namin sa kabilang grupo, [3:28] yung hindi pagpasok. [3:30] Tatlong araw kami hindi nag-session. [3:32] June 1, we were there. [3:33] Hinihintay namin sila, yung mayorya nung panahon yun. [3:37] Hindi sila sumipot. [3:38] Hindi ba nagpasabi na hindi sila pupunta. [3:41] On June 2, nangyari ulit yun. [3:43] Hindi na naman sila pumasok at naghihintay pa rin kami. [3:46] On June 3, nangyari na nga yung pumasok si Sen. [3:49] So, para sa marami sa mga taong matagal na nagtatrabaho sa Senado. [3:55] O matagal ng Senador, no? [3:57] Well, iba yung Senador. [3:58] Iba rin yung mga sekretarya at yung mga tao nagtatrabaho sa Senado. [4:02] Unang beses rin lang yun na nakita nila [4:04] na magtatatlong araw na walang session. [4:08] In fact, on that third day, kung hindi kami nag-session, [4:10] we were already in violation of the Constitution. [4:13] Kasi hindi pwede yung tatlong araw na sunod-sunod na hindi kayo nag-session. [4:17] So, nung pangatlong araw na yun, we were able to na-cure namin [4:22] yung pagiging violative of the Constitution. [4:24] Hindi na tuloy yun. [4:25] We were able to constitute the quorum and the majority [4:28] and we were able to hopefully now set the Senate in the right path. [4:33] Now, syempre alam natin ngayon, latang tao, alam na yung abilino-kwenko. [4:37] Alam na yung abilino-kwenko. [4:38] Alam na yung pagbibilang to 12 or 13. [4:42] We stand on good legal ground. [4:44] At maraming sumangayon sa amin. [4:45] But the best situation is really kapag 13 na kami. [4:49] Oo. You feel it will be unquestionable. [4:51] Of course. Of course. [4:52] And I'm predicting this will happen very soon. [4:56] Mag-13 na po tayo. [4:57] Hopefully, we're praying for that and we're hoping for that. [5:00] At pag nangyari na yan, we can go back to business tayo [5:03] and really focus on the reforms na kailangan ng tao. [5:06] Okay. So, why do you think it should be 13 [5:08] when the Constitution doesn't state the number 13? [5:11] It states a majority of all its members [5:15] and Justice Carpio interprets it as members, of course, who can vote. [5:20] Kasi pag may namatay, out na yun. [5:23] Right? May nakakulong, hindi makaboto yun. [5:25] Of course, Karen, we agree with that interpretation, di ba? [5:29] Pero sa kaduluduluhan ng lahat, yung wala talagang kwestyon, [5:32] kapag 13 kayo. [5:33] Okay. Right now, ang pwedeng gawin ng kabilang grupo, [5:36] pwede nilang iakyat sa Supreme Court yung mga tanong nila. [5:39] At dun siguro, pagdidebatihan ng Supreme Court, [5:42] yung Avino Kwenko, so jurisprudence, presidents, [5:46] and a logical understanding of the Constitution and the rules, [5:50] dun natin malalaman. [5:51] But kung ayaw nilang gawin yun, [5:55] yung pinakamainam talaga ng paraan ay magka-13 tayo. [5:58] Now, we know that we stand on jurisprudence and presidents. [6:02] So confident kami dito sa numero natin. [6:04] Pero yung mga grupo na nagtatanong or nagko-question, [6:07] they can either bring it up to the Supreme Court, [6:09] which they have the right to do, [6:11] at the Supreme Court will decide kung ano nga ba talaga yung tamang numero, [6:14] much like Avelino Kwenko. [6:16] Di ba? [6:16] They will decide then. [6:18] Pero posibleng mahabang proseso pa yan. [6:20] The best is just to have the 13. [6:22] And right now, yung 12, mas malapit sa 13, [6:25] kaysa 10, mas malapit sa 13. [6:27] Di ba? [6:28] Good point. [6:29] So they'd have to get 3, you'd just have to get 1. [6:32] Yes. [6:32] Punto ka doon. [6:33] Now, in terms of work, [6:36] the Blue Ribbon Committee, [6:38] there was, tinawag na haw-syaw, [6:42] yung Blue Ribbon Hearing ni Marcoleta. [6:46] Ito naman, yung kay Irwin Tulfo, [6:48] cannot also be considered as a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. [6:51] No. [6:52] It's a meeting. [6:52] It's a consultative meeting, Karen. [6:54] So, just for our audience, [6:56] what are the issues why neither sides can call it a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing? [7:03] Yesterday, no, [7:04] noong nagkaroon ng meeting, [7:05] hindi siya pwedeng tawagin hearing [7:07] kasi hindi pa constituted yung committee. [7:10] Mismo? [7:10] Mismo. [7:11] Ibig sabihin, hindi pa nababasa sa plenaryo [7:13] kung sino yung mga membro ng committee. [7:16] Okay. [7:16] And if you remember that whole time na nag-walkout kami [7:20] doon sa motion for... [7:22] Electronic voting. [7:24] Electronic voting. [7:25] Ang sinabi na rin namin doon, [7:27] na-refer to the Committee on Rules, [7:30] itong motion na to, [7:31] but the Committee on Rules was not yet constituted. [7:35] So, paano maglabas ng desisyon yung committee [7:38] kung hindi pa ito constituted? [7:40] So, in the same way, [7:42] hindi pa rin constituted yung Blue Ribbon Committee. [7:44] Hindi rin constituted yung Education Committee, by the way. [7:46] None of the committees, I think, are constituted. [7:49] Meaning, nakalista sino ba yung mga membro nito. [7:52] So, habang hindi pa siya nakabasa sa plenaryo [7:54] at napagsangayunan ng mga tao, [7:56] hindi pa siya constituted, [7:57] di ka pa pwedeng gumawa ng mga formal na hearing. [8:00] But I'm hoping that pag nag-special session tayo [8:03] at rese na nga yung grupo po namin, [8:06] pwede makonstitute yung mga iba't ibang committee [8:08] para mapagpatuloy na po yung mga hearing. [8:10] So, this is in the President's hands, okay? [8:14] What can a special session do? [8:16] Everything that particular day. [8:18] Because the Cayetano Block can refuse to also attend. [8:22] But we're already, currently we're 12, [8:25] and by that time we'll be 13. [8:26] So, fate accompli na yun, Karen. [8:28] Kung baga, tapos na yung boxing. [8:30] And I think, hopefully, that will be called [8:35] kapag kailangan na talagang klaruhin itong nangyayari sa Senado. [8:39] Okay. [8:40] So, let's start... [8:40] And on that day, pwede na yan. [8:42] Tapusin yung mga third reading, [8:44] yung mga generals na naghihintayin ng ilang linggo na [8:47] for their appointments at yung iba pang armed forces personnel natin, [8:52] yung pag-sponsor ng national feeding program [8:54] na dapat gagawin ko noong May 11, [8:56] hindi natuloy kasi natanggal tayo bilang chairperson. [9:00] Yung pag-constitute ng BICAM for the vouchers bill. [9:03] We have a vouchers bill that will support our public school students [9:06] na pwedeng lumipat sa mga private schools. [9:09] The BICAM of that bill, meaning last step na to, [9:14] has to be constituted again kasi nagkaroon ng leadership change. [9:17] So, maraming mga kailangang buuin at gawin [9:20] kapag nag-special session tayo. [9:21] Okay, but more than that, so I wanted to ask you first, [9:25] Senator Alan Cayetano, [9:26] his camp is now seeking for what they call [9:29] an interim admin set-up [9:32] with the Gachalian Block, no? [9:34] With the new Senate majority. [9:36] And of course, you've turned it down. [9:38] The Block has turned it down. [9:40] Why? [9:40] What is questionable about that whole exercise? [9:44] Ano kasi yan, Karen? [9:45] Kapag... [9:46] So firstly, this is really up to the Senate Secretariat [9:49] and Senator Sherwin, no? [9:51] Pero sa pagkakaalam ko, [9:53] kapag sumangayon kayo sa... [9:55] sa joint custody, [9:56] o para kayo nag-joint custody, [9:58] ina-acknowledge mo na pareho kayong magulang. [10:00] Di ba? [10:00] Pag may joint custody ng anak, [10:02] pag sabi mo, joint custody tayo, [10:04] ibig sabihin, pareho tayong magulang. [10:05] E right now, sa pananaw po namin [10:07] at sa pananaw ng maraming pang mga ibang grupo [10:10] and especially the other branches of government, [10:13] ang tumatayo pong lehiti mong grupo, [10:15] yung grupo po namin, no? [10:16] So, of course, on the ground, [10:20] we will do our best to make it [10:21] as smooth and easy for the Senate staff. [10:24] Kasi siyempre, ano yan, [10:26] yung sweldo, yung pipirma ng mga bagay-bagay. [10:28] So siyempre pumipirma ngayon? [10:30] My understanding, it's attorney bantug, no? [10:32] Okay. [10:33] As it should be. [10:34] As it should be. [10:35] Pero yan po, pinag-uusapan po nila yan. [10:37] Okay. [10:38] Now, the Senate pro-tempore, [10:40] there are different points of view [10:42] and there was one that said that [10:45] while 12 can constitute a quorum, [10:48] in terms of voting for the Senate President [10:51] and the Senate pro-tempore, [10:54] dapat 13. [10:55] So you have Senator Loren Legarda [10:57] coming out with videos on it. [10:59] So some are even questioning the legitimacy [11:02] of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian [11:04] as Senate pro-tempore. [11:05] Kasi kabilang daw yun sa tapat 13. [11:09] In the Constitution, Karen, [11:11] na yung talagang pinakabatayan nitong lahat, [11:13] it just mentions a Senate President. [11:15] So that's our position. [11:17] And obviously, nandito na tayo. [11:20] If they wish to question that, [11:21] they can question it with the Supreme Court. [11:23] Okay. [11:23] Now, the special session. [11:25] Now, Senator Alan Cayetano has said [11:27] he will preside over the impeachment trial [11:31] of Vice President Sara Duterte. [11:34] I've always asked this. [11:35] Anong mangyayari doon? [11:36] Dalawa silang, [11:37] if walang special session. [11:38] July 6 na to, ah? [11:40] Kaya mahalaga mag-special session, Karen, [11:42] para matuldukan na natin [11:43] itong mga nangyayari sa Senado na Gulo. [11:46] The special session will really cure everything, no? [11:50] Pagating ng July, [11:51] I'm hoping that malinaw [11:53] yung presiding officer, [11:55] which is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, [11:57] malinaw po ito sa amin. [11:58] Dapat malinaw rin po ito sa kabilang grupo [12:00] at sa publiko. [12:00] And that will happen when we have 13. [12:02] What can happen if, let's say, hypothetically, [12:07] the minority just refuses to go to work? [12:11] I mean, nagalit ang tao nun, di ba? [12:13] Si Senator Batoso may swelgo, pumapasok. [12:16] Pwede gawin yun. [12:17] Just out of, di ba, boycott? [12:19] Well, kung mag-boycott sila, [12:23] they're turning their back on their duty. [12:27] At the end of the day, Karen, [12:28] hinalal kami para magtrabaho. [12:30] Hinalal kami para gawin yung reformang kailangan ng bayan. [12:33] At yung trabahong yun, [12:35] primarily, nakikita yun sa trabaho namin sa session, [12:39] sa mga hearings. [12:41] At para mag-hearing, para mag-session, [12:42] kailangan kang pumasok. [12:43] I think yun, naiintindihan ng mga tao [12:46] na gawin nyo yung trabaho nyo, [12:49] yung number one dyan, [12:51] hindi mag-ikot, [12:52] hindi mag-presscon. [12:55] Ang number one na trabaho namin, [12:57] pumasok, pumasok sa session, [12:59] pumasok sa plenario, [13:01] sa hearing, [13:01] dun makipag-debatihan, [13:03] dun itulak yung mga kailangan ng tao. [13:04] The flood control hearings, [13:06] there was a perception [13:07] that the former leaders, [13:10] under Senate President Tito Soto, [13:13] there was a perception [13:14] that they chose to protect [13:17] certain individuals [13:18] with the flood control hearings. [13:20] Hence, there was a challenge, [13:22] supposedly, [13:23] when the partial committee report [13:25] was formed [13:26] and some wouldn't sign it. [13:29] And you have that today. [13:31] It's not resolved. [13:32] Hindi pa rin resolved. [13:33] No. [13:33] Itong 18 former Marines [13:36] or the bad men, [13:37] nagbabago ang pangalan, [13:39] they did not attend. [13:40] Itong Irwin Tulfo... [13:42] Sana nag-attend na lang sila. [13:43] Sana nag-attend. [13:44] Kasi nandun na sila eh. [13:45] Oo nga. [13:45] Sipin mo, Karen, [13:46] nasa second floor sila, [13:47] kami. [13:48] Nasa fifth floor sila. [13:49] Ba't di na lang sila bumaba [13:50] at doon na kami mag-usap-usap? [13:52] In the consultative hearing, [13:54] they were invited. [13:55] They were invited beforehand. [13:57] Habang nag-meeting na, [14:00] pinaimbitahan pa sila ulit. [14:01] Hindi rin sila talaga bumaba. [14:02] At yung pinakamainam na resolution dito [14:06] ay magharap-harap yung mga grupo. [14:07] The senators supporting them, [14:10] the senators who are accused, [14:12] and the senators who just want to find out the truth. [14:14] Magharap-harap, [14:16] allow yourself to be probed, [14:17] gaya ng ibang mga naging resource person sa Blue Ribbon. [14:21] At kung ano man yung lumabas doon, [14:23] ipo-forward din yan sa ating mga justice agencies like the DOJ or the Ombudsman. [14:29] Yesterday, [14:30] I reminded the Ombudsman, [14:33] the DOJ, [14:34] and the Prosecutor General. [14:37] Sabi ko, [14:37] ooy, mag-iisang taon na. [14:39] Next month, [14:40] sauna na ulit. [14:41] Mag-one year anniversary na yung mahiya naman kayo. [14:44] At, [14:44] klaro naman sa tao, [14:46] hindi pa resolved itong issue na ito. [14:48] This is, [14:48] just a few months ago, [14:49] Karen, [14:50] hundreds of thousands of people [14:51] nagrarally para makuha yung resolution dito. [14:54] And I don't believe na nakalimgutan ito ng tao. [14:56] People still know that this is unresolved. [14:59] At kapag umulan na ulit, [15:01] and that will happen in a few weeks, [15:03] maalala na naman ng tao yung flood control. [15:06] Na yung perang dapat napunta dyan, [15:08] ninakaw lang. [15:09] Okay? [15:10] So this has to be resolved. [15:11] They have to work faster. [15:13] Now, [15:14] yung pagtatrabaho nila, [15:16] kompleto ba? [15:17] Ito ba'y satisfactory? [15:19] Yung tao dyan yung maghuhusga. [15:20] Now, [15:20] ito yung tanong ko sa kanila. [15:22] Itong mga testimony, [15:23] ng 18 bodyguards. [15:26] I think yung bodyguard might be [15:27] parang fair to everybody. [15:29] Na tawagin silang. [15:30] Bodyguard naman talaga sila ni Zaldico. [15:33] Anong gagawin ninyo [15:34] sa testimony na ito? [15:35] Kasi affidavit yan eh. [15:37] Diba? [15:37] So, [15:38] may mga iba dyan, [15:39] in-accused nila. [15:40] I find it very hard to believe na [15:42] ang mga taong yun, [15:43] tumanggap ng pera kay Zaldico. [15:45] Like Father Flavi, [15:46] si Lila, [15:47] may colleagues. [15:47] Diba? [15:48] They're filing cases against them. [15:50] Pero anong gagawin ninyo? [15:51] Iimbestigahan nyo ba yan [15:52] o ibabasura ninyo? [15:54] Yung sagot niyo, [15:54] ang bootsman, [15:55] klaro eh. [15:55] Sabi niya, [15:56] we have already asked [15:57] for their individual affidavit. [16:00] Mahirap yung collective affidavit [16:02] kasi hindi mo matukoy [16:03] sino dun sa 18 [16:04] yung mismong [16:06] linya sa affidavit. [16:08] Ikaw ba talaga to? [16:08] So, pinahihimay nila yung mga affidavit. [16:12] And, [16:12] hindi pa daw nagsasubmit. [16:14] And I'm hoping [16:15] na kapag [16:16] totoong Blue Ribbon [16:17] hearing na talaga yan, [16:19] nagharap-harap na yung mga tao, [16:21] pwede nating [16:21] mahimay-himay talaga yan. [16:23] Ano yung totoo, [16:24] ano yung hindi totoo, [16:25] ano yung dagdag, [16:26] ano yung tinanggal. [16:26] At malalaman natin yan. [16:28] And of course, [16:28] at the end of the day, [16:30] yung hearing naman, [16:31] yung Blue Ribbon Committee, [16:32] magsasubmit rin naman yan, [16:33] recommendation rin naman yan eh. [16:35] At pag-recommend, [16:36] yung mga ahensya, [16:37] kailangan pa rin nilang [16:38] gawin yung trabaho nila [16:39] na to investigate further [16:40] and to corroborate. [16:42] Even what we surfaced [16:43] in the Blue Ribbon hearing, Karen, [16:45] kailangan pa rin yan i-corroborate. [16:46] Kapag na-corroborate yan, [16:48] kapag may iba pang ebidensya... [16:49] Yung dating Blue Ribbon hearing [16:50] under Senator Ping Lakson. [16:53] Kahit ano mang binigay dyan [16:54] sa ombudsman o sa DOJ, [16:56] kailangan din namang [16:57] ibanggayan sa iba pang ebidensya. [16:59] At doon pa lang siya [17:00] nagiging kaso. [17:02] So, ang mahalaga sa akin kahapon is, [17:04] hindi na basura ito. [17:06] Diba? [17:07] Kasi kailangan ang imbestigahan eh. [17:08] Pero yung probative value niya, [17:10] kailangan malaman [17:11] anong porsyento dito [17:12] sa testimonyang ito, [17:13] yung totoo, [17:14] ano yung gawa-gawa lamang. [17:15] And I think it's too early [17:16] to say na [17:18] lahat ng sinabi nila [17:20] ay hindi totoo [17:21] o lahat ng sinabi nila [17:22] ay totoo. [17:23] Kailangan itong imbestigahan. [17:24] And the best way to do this [17:25] is for the ombudsman [17:26] to do their job, [17:27] the DOJ and the NBI [17:28] to do their job properly, [17:30] and for the Blue Ribbon Committee [17:31] to have the hearing [17:32] at magharap-harap kaming lahat [17:33] at ma-probe talaga natin [17:35] yung katotohanan dito. [17:36] Now, the Blue Ribbon Committee [17:38] hearing under Erwin Tulfo [17:39] was not a hearing. [17:40] You said it was a meeting. [17:42] Yes. [17:42] And you had [17:43] Senator Robin Padilla [17:44] with the 18 bodyguards [17:46] just a floor above you. [17:48] Three floors above us. [17:49] Three floors. [17:49] Is there a penalty [17:51] for them not attending [17:52] considering [17:53] they were invited to attend? [17:55] Wala. [17:55] Wala, because [17:55] meeting lang yun eh. [17:56] Okay. [17:57] So pag nag-hearing na, [17:59] first time, [18:00] di ka papasok. [18:01] Pwede kang sulatan ulit. [18:03] Pagkatapos doon, [18:03] pwede ka nang isopina. [18:05] I hope [18:06] na magharap-harap talang tayo dyan. [18:08] They can have [18:08] all of the senators [18:09] supporting them there. [18:11] Yung ibang mga senador [18:12] na akusado [18:14] at yung ibang mga senador [18:15] na gusto lang malaman [18:17] yung katotohanan. [18:17] Pwede tayo magharap-harap tayo. [18:19] Ganyan naman yung senado, di ba? [18:20] I mean, in the past, [18:21] Blue Ribbon, [18:22] nag-harap yung mga tao [18:23] at kayang questionin directly. [18:25] Kayang malaman yung katotohanan. [18:27] And to be fair to the Blue Ribbon [18:28] hearings of Senator Lacson, [18:31] maraming na surface doon. [18:33] Maraming lumabas doon, no? [18:34] I mean, [18:35] doon natin alaman na, [18:37] sabi ni Hernandez, [18:39] na practically lahat [18:40] ng kanilang proyekto, [18:42] hindi lang flood control, [18:44] meron silang kinuku, [18:45] meron silang ninanakaw na pera [18:46] na nag-overprice sila [18:48] dun sa mga materyales [18:49] and nag-overspec sila [18:51] sa mga disenyo. [18:53] I mean, yun, [18:53] lumabas yun during the hearings. [18:54] And that already is a good lead [18:58] for DPWH, [18:59] for the Ombudsman, [19:00] for all of these agencies [19:01] na ayusin yung mga budget [19:03] ng gobyerno [19:03] para talagang matuko [19:04] yung totoong presyo. [19:06] Are you seeing that right now, [19:08] there's always been a divide [19:10] with a majority and minority, [19:12] but now, [19:13] there seems to be [19:14] a polarization to a point [19:16] that either you're pro-SARA [19:18] or anti-SARA, [19:20] and if you're pro-SARA, [19:21] you believe that [19:23] there's a group [19:25] protecting the former leadership [19:27] of Martin Romualdez [19:28] and Zaldi Cole. [19:29] Parang na-divide na lang siya [19:31] na ganun. [19:31] But alam mo, Karen, [19:32] yan ang pinakamalaking [19:34] kasinungalingan ngayon [19:35] na binibenta sa publiko [19:37] na dalawang grupo lang, [19:39] either Sara ka [19:40] o Marcos ka. [19:41] Mas marami sa mga kababayan natin [19:43] don't want either. [19:46] Mas marami sa kababayan natin [19:48] na ganays ng [19:49] mas independent na pananaw [19:51] sa mga bagay-bagay. [19:53] Natitingnan yung mga bagay-bagay [19:55] per issue. [19:57] Yan kasi yung binibenta. [19:59] Ano yun? [19:59] Social media. [20:00] Ano ka? [20:01] Senate of Malacanang [20:02] or Senate of the Philippines [20:03] o yung mga ganyan. [20:03] Ah, may ganyan ba? [20:04] May ganyan. [20:04] Ah, okay. [20:05] That's the biggest lie. [20:07] Marami sa mga senador, [20:09] palagay ko, [20:10] hindi naman kailangan kumiling [20:12] sa kahit kaninong grupo [20:13] ang kinikilingan [20:14] yung taong bayan. [20:15] But more than the senators [20:16] and the officials, [20:17] yung tao mismo, Karen, [20:19] iba na ngayon. [20:20] Hindi na yung tipo [20:21] nung Duterte time [20:22] na either [20:22] kampe ka sa kanila [20:23] o kaaway ka. [20:24] Ngayon, [20:25] yung mga tao [20:25] nag-iisip na [20:27] itong mga issue na ito [20:28] talagang hinihimay, [20:29] iniintindi. [20:31] Talagang inaalam [20:31] sino ba dito yung [20:32] talagang tutulong sa akin? [20:33] Sino ba dito [20:34] nagpapayaman lang? [20:35] O sino ba dito [20:36] yung talagang [20:36] nagdanakaw lang? [20:38] So, [20:38] I think it's a mistake [20:40] to say [20:40] either [20:41] Duterte ka [20:43] o Marcos ka? [20:44] Ngayon, [20:45] mas marami [20:45] mga Pilipino [20:46] sa tingin ko, [20:47] syempre may mga [20:47] hardcore pa rin yan [20:48] na supporters, [20:50] pero mas marami [20:50] sa mga Pilipino [20:51] nandito sa gitna. [20:53] Nagahanap ng lunas, [20:54] nagahanap ng tulong, [20:56] nagahanap ng mga [20:56] ng Senado [20:58] at ng gobyerno [20:58] natutulong talaga [20:59] sa kanila. [21:00] I mean, [21:00] we just had the [21:01] earthquake yesterday [21:02] in Mindanao. [21:04] Ang hinahanap ng tao, [21:05] sino bang tutugon [21:06] sa mga problema ko? [21:07] Hindi yung, [21:07] sino yung boss mo? [21:09] Diba? [21:09] Boss mo ba ito [21:10] o boss mo ba yan? [21:11] Dapat kami yung boss mo. [21:12] So, [21:13] for many of us, [21:14] Karen, [21:15] and I think yung [21:16] bloke namin, [21:17] ganito naman yung pananaw, [21:18] we just want [21:19] to get back [21:19] to a sense of [21:20] normalcy. [21:22] Bumalik tayo [21:23] sa isang Senado [21:24] na nagtatrabaho, [21:26] na gumagawa [21:26] ng mga reforma [21:27] para sa Pilipino, [21:28] at hindi na yung [21:30] puro conflict, [21:32] puro away, [21:33] puro drama. [21:34] Bumalik tayo [21:34] sa pagtulong [21:36] sa taong bayan. [21:37] Kasi the image [21:38] of some is that [21:39] may pinoprotektangan [21:40] ang kay Itano Block. [21:42] May pinoprotektangan [21:43] itong bloke ninyo. [21:45] You get me? [21:45] Parang ganun [21:46] ang perception. [21:48] Ganyan ang binibenta. [21:49] Yan ang binibenta. [21:51] Pero ang katotohanan [21:52] talaga, [21:54] at least ako, [21:55] I can speak for myself [21:56] and sa mga meetings [21:57] naman namin, [21:58] ang hinahanap talaga [21:59] namin is [22:00] bumalik yung Senado [22:01] sa pagtatrabaho [22:02] para sa taong bayan. [22:04] Number one. [22:05] Number two, [22:05] pagating sa mga hearing [22:06] na ito, [22:07] ilabas yung katotohanan. [22:09] Anyway, [22:09] at the end of the day, [22:10] ang mailalabas namin [22:11] sa Blue Ribbon, [22:12] kailangan pa namang [22:13] imbestigahan pa rin yan eh. [22:14] So, ilabas natin [22:15] yung pwedeng ilabas, [22:16] malaman natin [22:17] yung totoo [22:18] at yung peke, [22:19] and then i-forward [22:19] natin for investigation. [22:20] Bantayan natin [22:21] na totoo yung [22:21] imbestigasyon. [22:22] But I'm gonna tell you [22:23] this much, Karen. [22:24] Mag-one year na, [22:25] wala pa rin [22:26] resolusyon yung [22:26] flood control. [22:27] Mahalagang magka-resolusyon yan. [22:29] At ano nga doon, [22:31] yung mga [22:31] the biggest fish. [22:33] I don't think [22:34] Curly is the biggest fish. [22:35] Yung pinakamalaking isda, [22:37] yun yung kailangan [22:38] natin makitang [22:39] na nakasuhan na. [22:42] Diba? [22:43] At yun yung [22:43] hinahanap ng tao. [22:44] Sana naman, [22:45] huwag ka tayo [22:45] umabot ng one year [22:46] ng SONA anniversary [22:48] na hindi pa rin [22:49] to resolve. [22:49] Alright. [22:50] So, [22:51] right now, [22:52] nakasinedie kayo, [22:54] July 6 [22:54] is the impeachment trial [22:56] and then July 24 [22:58] is the SONA ba? [23:00] Arang, [23:00] I'm checking the dates, [23:01] but it's not the last Monday. [23:02] Yes. [23:03] The last Monday of July [23:04] is the SONA. [23:05] That's when you [23:06] come together [23:07] as a legislative body. [23:09] Yes. [23:09] Ipagsasabay namin siya, Karen. [23:11] Pwede ba? [23:12] Yes. [23:12] So, [23:13] before the SONA, [23:15] so July 6 [23:16] up to I think [23:17] July 21 [23:18] if I'm not mistaken. [23:20] Mag-impeachment [23:21] impeachment court. [23:24] I think, [23:25] again, [23:25] I have to [23:25] double-check. [23:26] Monday to Thursday. [23:28] 27 daw ang SONA this year. [23:29] Monday to Thursday [23:30] before the SONA [23:31] and then [23:33] after the SONA, [23:35] Tuesday to Thursday [23:36] sa hapon, [23:37] sa umaga [23:38] is session. [23:39] So, [23:40] hindi naman titigil [23:40] yung legislative. [23:41] But can you convene [23:42] as a legislative body [23:43] while you're on recess? [23:45] We're not convening [23:47] as a legislative body [23:47] while we're on recess. [23:48] We're convening [23:49] as an impeachment court. [23:50] Okay, [23:50] but can you do [23:51] legislative work? [23:52] No. [23:52] Oh, you can't. [23:53] We will do it [23:53] after the SONA. [23:54] After the SONA. [23:55] So, [23:55] bago yung SONA, [23:57] impeachment, [23:58] July 6 onwards, [24:00] and then may break [24:01] sa SONA, [24:02] pagkatapos ng SONA, [24:03] sabay na [24:04] yung legislative [24:05] tsaka yung impeachment. [24:06] Okay. [24:07] Now, [24:08] is there hope [24:09] for any form [24:10] of dialogue? [24:11] Because it seems [24:11] the divide [24:12] is getting more extreme. [24:14] You know, [24:15] we lived through [24:17] Senator Miriam [24:18] Defensor Santiago. [24:19] She was extreme. [24:20] But she would go to work, [24:22] debate on the floor, [24:23] participate, [24:24] and it wouldn't be [24:27] about partisanship [24:29] to an extreme. [24:29] This partisanship [24:31] is extreme, [24:33] considering [24:34] it's been a journalist [24:34] for 32 years now. [24:37] Right? [24:37] So, [24:38] who among you, [24:40] you'd have to win them [24:42] over at some point? [24:43] They can remain [24:43] a minority, [24:44] but you'd have [24:45] to win them over. [24:46] To be fair, [24:47] si Senator Sherwin, [24:48] the reason why [24:49] we chose him [24:51] to lead us [24:53] is because [24:53] si Senator Sherwin [24:54] is known to be [24:56] somebody who can [24:57] dialogue with anybody. [24:59] At nung panahon [25:00] na siya yung [25:01] finance chair namin, [25:02] and he did a really [25:03] good job for the [25:04] 2026 budget, [25:05] Karen, [25:05] nakapag-dialogue [25:07] naman siya, [25:08] both majority [25:09] and minority. [25:11] So, [25:12] we're hoping [25:13] that Senator Sherwin [25:14] can be that fresh start [25:15] for the Senate. [25:16] To be fair [25:17] kay Senator Soto, [25:18] unang linggo pa lang, [25:19] sinabi na niya kaagad. [25:21] And ito, [25:21] natouch ako sa kanya, [25:22] sabi niya, [25:23] alam ko, [25:24] yung iba sa kabila [25:25] may problema sa akin, [25:26] kaya hindi na ako [25:27] lalaban for SP. [25:29] It was quick, [25:30] wala pa sigurong [25:31] two minutes. [25:31] So, sige, [25:32] si Sherwin, [25:33] baka siya yung magandang [25:34] maging [25:35] pinuno natin [25:36] para siya yung [25:37] makapag-re-reach out. [25:38] Bag na ni Mity. [25:39] Senator Cheese, [25:40] nung araw na pumasok siya, [25:41] sabi rin niya, [25:42] I will also try to [25:43] reach out to the [25:44] members of the minority [25:46] at subukan natin [25:47] na mag-fresh start tayo. [25:49] So, [25:50] alam ko, [25:50] Karen, [25:50] na merong rin tayong [25:51] mga kasama [25:52] on both sides [25:54] who want to just [25:55] get back to a sense of [25:57] palagi ko yung normalcy, [25:59] mahirap na eh. [26:00] Kahit yung tipo na lang [26:01] na nagtatrabaho tayo talaga [26:02] sa session, [26:04] pwede naman tayo mag-debate [26:05] hanggang kailan natin gusto eh. [26:08] We can disagree, [26:08] we can vote separately [26:09] or we can vote differently [26:11] on issues, [26:12] pero dun tayo, [26:12] dito tayo magharap. [26:13] Let's put everybody [26:14] in the same room. [26:15] Ayun yung tungkulin natin. [26:17] I would like to think, [26:18] dahil optimistic akong tao, [26:19] Karen, [26:19] na meron pa rin mga, [26:21] meron pa rin kaming mga kasamahan [26:23] na yun yung gustong unahin, [26:24] yun yung gustong [26:25] gawing primary, [26:26] no, [26:27] na goal, [26:28] such that by the impeachment [26:29] and by the time [26:30] we get back to session, [26:31] hindi na ganito, [26:32] na ganito ka gulo. [26:33] Bako. [26:33] Pakiramdam ko pa rin kasi, [26:35] ngayon ha, [26:36] maraming nanonood, [26:37] Karen, no? [26:38] I mean, [26:38] maraming talagang nanonood. [26:39] I mean, [26:40] yung sabi nga ng mga tao, [26:42] ayaw na nila mag Netflix [26:43] o YouTube, [26:44] sinado nilang daw [26:45] yung papanood nila. [26:46] Senate flicks na kayo. [26:46] Senate flicks. [26:48] Maraming nanonood, [26:49] pero palagi ko walang natutuwa. [26:50] Oo nga. [26:51] I mean, [26:51] at the end of the day, [26:52] iisipin ng tao, [26:53] maybe it's entertaining [26:54] or, you know, [26:56] gagawa ng mga memes [26:57] or kung ano-ano, [26:59] gagawa ng content, [27:00] pero natutuwa ba talaga [27:02] yung tao [27:02] na yung mga pinuno nila, [27:04] yung mga opisyal na binoto nila, [27:05] nag-aaway-aaway [27:06] imbis na nagtatrabaho [27:07] para sa kanila. [27:08] And I think this affects [27:09] the Senate as an institution [27:10] as a whole [27:11] in terms of the ratings [27:12] of the Senate itself. [27:14] Karen, [27:15] ako, [27:15] yung ratings, [27:15] di ko nga tingitingnan eh. [27:16] You look at the historical [27:17] significance of the Senate. [27:19] The Senate has always been [27:20] the last bastion of democracy. [27:23] Kapag magulo ang bansa, [27:25] yung Senate tumatayo, [27:26] tumitindig para sa tama. [27:28] I mean, [27:29] during the 90s, [27:31] you know, [27:31] Tita Corrie, of course, [27:33] wanted the bases to remain, [27:34] but the Senate stood up [27:35] and voted to [27:37] kick out the U.S. bases. [27:39] And yung mga speeches nila, [27:41] Senator Salonga, [27:42] and, you know, [27:43] the other centers of that time [27:44] lumalabas ngayon [27:45] at dudugo yung puso mo [27:48] pag nakita mo [27:48] how they stood up [27:49] for the country. [27:50] Even just recently, [27:51] the Senate stood up [27:52] against the charter change. [27:54] Di ba? [27:54] I think this was [27:54] in the last Congress, [27:56] during Senator Zubiri's time. [27:57] Twenty-four sila doon, [27:59] nanindigan para labanan yung [28:01] ano nga tawag doon? [28:02] Yung people's initiative. [28:04] Yung people's initiative. [28:06] So, there were times [28:07] when we stood up [28:07] for what was right [28:08] at kaya yung mangyari [28:10] kung merong pagkakaisa [28:12] to an extent. [28:13] Hindi kailangan nag-agree [28:14] sa lahat ng bagay, [28:16] pero may mga basic [28:16] na pwede tayo mag-agree. [28:18] Yung pinaka-basic doon, [28:19] pumasok tayo. [28:20] Di ba? [28:20] Let's all see each other [28:22] on the floor. [28:23] Dito tayo mag-debate [28:24] tungkol sa pangailangan ng bansa, [28:26] ipasa natin yung mga reforma [28:27] na kailangan ng taong bayan. [28:28] You know, [28:28] this is a good opportunity [28:30] for you to also explain it [28:31] because if you go through [28:32] social media, [28:34] meron din na nakalagay, [28:35] eh, nauna naman yung sila, [28:36] kayo yung nag-walkout. [28:38] Iba yung walkout, ha? [28:39] Oo. [28:39] Kasi may quorum na nun, eh. [28:40] May session na nun. [28:41] Okay. [28:42] So, Karen, [28:43] yung pag-walkout... [28:43] Parang sinimulan nyo yun, eh, [28:45] sinasabi, gano'n. [28:45] Okay. [28:46] I know. [28:47] I've seen the content. [28:48] You've seen it, right? [28:49] Pero iba yung walkout namin nun. [28:52] Bakit siya iba? [28:52] Because pumasok kami, eh. [28:54] Nasa roll call kami, eh. [28:55] No, we actually went to work on that day [28:57] and 3 o'clock ang session. [28:59] This was already like 6 o'clock, [29:01] 7 o'clock. [29:02] So, nakatatlong oras na kaming... [29:04] Nagde-debate yun. [29:05] Nagtatrabaho. [29:06] Although nag-cocuss siya in the middle. [29:07] So, meron ng panahon yung nagtatrabaho. [29:10] And then it was just on that one motion. [29:12] Diba? [29:12] On that one motion, [29:13] doon kami nag-walkout as a strategy [29:15] para hindi matuloy yung motion [29:17] na pwede bumoto yung mga senador [29:19] kahit wala sila sa opisina. [29:21] Diba? [29:21] O sa plenario. [29:22] That was one motion. [29:24] Hindi yung tipong [29:25] hindi kami magpapakita at all. [29:27] Na tatlong araw pa. [29:28] Na violation pa of the Constitution. [29:30] So, ibang-ibang-iba yun. [29:31] Ibang-iba yun, Karen. [29:32] It's not the same. [29:33] Okay. [29:34] Now, the impeachment trial, [29:37] will you then choose [29:41] a presiding officer [29:42] who is a lawyer? [29:44] I'll leave that to [29:45] Senator Sherwin, Karen. [29:47] Iiwan ko na yan sa kanya. [29:48] I will not object to it. [29:51] It's really up to him. [29:52] The impeachment is a [29:53] high-pressure situation. [29:57] And para sa amin, [29:58] of course, [29:59] the acting Senate President, [30:01] hopefully he will be [30:02] formally the Senate President [30:03] by that time, [30:05] will be Senator Sherwin. [30:06] And then we included in the rules, [30:08] just like the Senate now, [30:09] you can choose someone else [30:10] to preside. [30:11] Kung may gusto kang sabihin, [30:12] or kung may mga panahon [30:14] na nais mo mag-participate. [30:16] So, we included that [30:18] in the rules, [30:19] and it will be up to [30:20] Senator Sherwin [30:20] if he wants to designate [30:22] a presiding officer. [30:23] Pero technically speaking, [30:24] you don't have to be a lawyer, [30:26] right? [30:26] No. [30:26] You don't have to be. [30:27] There's no requirement [30:28] to be presiding officer. [30:29] The only requirement [30:30] is your Senate President. [30:32] If I were to ask you, [30:34] before we go to a break, [30:35] what is your biggest frustration [30:37] other than not going [30:39] and not having sessions? [30:41] What has been your biggest frustration [30:43] other than that [30:45] in this whole exercise? [30:47] Well, Karen, [30:47] yun na yun eh. [30:48] Yun na yun. [30:49] Alam mo, [30:49] kaya ko yung, [30:50] kinaya ko yung maraming [30:51] the weeks leading up to that week [30:53] na hindi pumapasok [30:54] yung kabilang grupo. [30:57] Kinaya namin lahat yun eh. [30:58] Diba? [30:59] Ang gulo-gulo, [30:59] raming nangyayari, [31:01] may mga bangayan na, [31:02] na-accused pa kami [31:03] dun sa putuka [31:04] na may alam kami, [31:05] may mga ganyan pa yan. [31:06] Diba? [31:07] Kakayaan mo lahat yun [31:08] kasi big boys [31:09] and big girls naman kami. [31:11] We were politicians. [31:12] We've been here for a long time. [31:13] Pero yung hindi ka papasok [31:15] ng tatlong araw, [31:17] sobra na yun. [31:18] Diba? [31:18] That's too much already. [31:19] May utang ka na sa taong bayan [31:20] yun eh, [31:21] na kailangan kang pumasok. [31:22] So, for me [31:23] and for many, [31:25] I think, [31:25] I would assume [31:26] for a number of the other senators, [31:28] pati rin yung mga [31:29] nagtatrabaho sa Senado, [31:30] yun yung talagang [31:32] mahirap talagang tanggapin [31:34] na ganun-ganun na lang. [31:36] So, [31:37] dahil yun yung rason [31:38] kung bakit [31:39] nangyayari na nga ito, [31:41] ang ibig sabihin nun, [31:42] yung kailangan naming [31:43] ibigay sa taong bayan, [31:44] yung tamang pagtatrabaho [31:45] para sa kanila. [31:46] You've worked with [31:47] Senator Alan [31:48] Cayetano before. [31:50] Maybe you have [31:50] some form of friendship [31:51] as well. [31:52] We are. [31:52] We are. [31:53] Okay. [31:53] We have many [31:55] common friends [31:56] who are pastors, [31:57] actually. [31:58] That's the irony of this. [31:59] No, no. [32:00] What is your, [32:01] do you have a message for him? [32:03] Have you tried to dialogue with him? [32:05] No, [32:05] hindi pa kami nagkikita. [32:06] And pag nagkita na kami, [32:07] I'll talk to him [32:08] as a friend [32:09] and as a colleague. [32:11] Hopefully, [32:12] pag nagkita na kami [32:13] sa special session [32:13] or during the impeachment [32:15] or during the [32:16] time that session [32:18] is back in July, [32:19] doon na kami mag-uusap, Karen. [32:20] And hindi kailangan [32:21] lahat ng pag-uusap [32:23] tini-tweet [32:23] or tini-Facebook. [32:26] Diba? [32:26] Sometimes, [32:26] yung pinakamagandang pag-uusap, [32:28] yung person-to-person talaga. [32:30] Diba? [32:30] And I hope I'll have that chance [32:31] to do that [32:32] at the right time. [32:33] Okay. [32:33] That is if they attend [32:35] the special session [32:36] called by the President. [32:38] The President hasn't called it yet. [32:39] Yes. [32:40] So, to be accurate, no? [32:42] But there are many opportunities [32:44] na magkita-kita [32:46] at magsama-sama. [32:47] We're still joined [32:48] by Senator Bam Aquino. [32:50] You have over 28 million [32:52] enrollees for this year. [32:54] And from a quarterly now, [32:56] it's a three-term system. [32:58] What are the challenges? [33:00] Maraming challenges, Karen, [33:01] doon sa three-term system. [33:02] In fact, [33:02] nag-hearing kami dyan. [33:04] Ang pakiusap [33:05] ng mga magulang [33:06] at ng mga guro [33:07] ay bigyan sila [33:08] ng konting espasyo [33:09] para mag-adjust, no? [33:10] But, of course, [33:11] Deped decided [33:12] to push through with it. [33:13] So, we'll continue [33:14] to monitor. [33:15] What changes [33:15] about three terms? [33:15] Can you explain, [33:16] Leymana, [33:16] anong magbabago? [33:17] Well, [33:18] in vista dalawa, no? [33:19] Tatlong na yung [33:21] grading period natin. [33:23] And this was specifically made [33:24] para mas kumonte [33:25] yung mga araw [33:26] na walang pasok, no? [33:29] So, [33:30] in every school year, [33:31] masyado tayong maraming araw [33:33] na walang pasok [33:34] because of different things, no? [33:36] Whether may [33:37] calling off of classes [33:39] because of [33:39] flooding, [33:40] rain, [33:41] or kung anuman, [33:42] or maraming holiday, [33:44] local holiday, [33:46] national holiday. [33:48] So, para malimita yun, [33:49] they did that [33:50] change into a [33:51] three-term system. [33:53] They also feel [33:53] na mas magiging [33:54] madali ito [33:55] for the teachers [33:55] din, no? [33:56] Now, [33:57] it's a good idea [33:59] but [34:00] I was hoping [34:01] personally [34:01] na gagawin muna [34:02] tong pilot [34:03] bago siya gawin [34:04] throughout the system. [34:06] But Deped decided [34:07] to push through with it, [34:08] na? [34:08] Pull the trigger already, [34:09] tuloy na ito. [34:10] we will continue to monitor [34:11] kung kumusta yung [34:12] implementation ito. [34:13] Okay. [34:14] Alright. [34:15] I'm curious, [34:16] is it possible [34:16] to remove holidays [34:17] for all [34:18] public schools [34:19] considering, [34:20] wag ay magalit sa akin [34:21] sa tanong ito, [34:23] considering [34:23] marami naman [34:24] within the year talaga [34:25] na hindi pumapasok [34:27] because of [34:27] natural calamities. [34:29] You get me? [34:30] Nag-offset. [34:31] Ang national holidays [34:33] na batas [34:33] ay hindi pwedeng [34:34] baguhin. [34:35] Okay. [34:36] Pero may mga [34:37] holiday kasi [34:38] na hindi naman talaga [34:39] holiday, [34:39] pero yung klase [34:40] called off [34:41] kasi meron kayong [34:42] meron kayong [34:43] celebration, [34:45] meron kayong [34:46] you know, [34:48] kunyari, [34:48] may national [34:49] something day [34:50] and then half [34:51] of that day [34:52] ubus na, [34:53] you know. [34:53] So they want [34:54] to limit all of these [34:55] nawawala yung [34:56] days of instruction. [34:57] They want to limit that. [34:59] At yung pangunahing [34:59] solusyon ng Deped [35:01] was to convert [35:01] to this [35:02] three-term system. [35:04] Okay. [35:05] Alright. [35:05] Now let's talk [35:06] about gensang, [35:07] you know, [35:08] the earthquake. [35:09] You know, [35:10] you have so many [35:10] schools that have [35:11] been affected. [35:12] Okay, [35:12] what's the latest [35:13] senator? [35:13] In fact, [35:14] lumalabas, [35:14] Karen, [35:15] na 3.2 [35:16] million learners [35:17] were affected. [35:18] No? [35:19] Wow. [35:19] This ranges [35:20] from Zambuanga [35:21] Peninsula, [35:21] northern Mindanao, [35:23] Davao Region, [35:24] Soxargen, [35:25] pati Caraga. [35:26] Over 1,000 [35:27] classrooms were damaged [35:29] during the earthquake [35:30] yesterday. [35:31] That much? [35:31] Yes. [35:32] Isang libong [35:33] classroom po yan [35:34] ang nasira [35:35] dahil po sa [35:35] earthquake. [35:36] Nakita naman natin, [35:37] mga malalaking gusali, [35:39] nahulog. [35:40] There was even [35:40] one video talagang [35:42] ang samaan [35:43] ng pakiramdam ko, [35:44] yung in the [35:45] public school mismo, [35:46] sa isang K-12, [35:48] at umiiyak [35:49] yung mga bata. [35:50] Buti na lang, [35:51] nandun na sila, [35:51] salabas sila. [35:53] But as they were [35:53] outside, [35:55] makikita mo yung [35:55] isang parang [35:56] covered court yata yun [35:58] or isang structure [35:58] na gumuho. [36:00] Buti na lang, [36:00] walang casualty doon. [36:02] But you can imagine [36:03] the trauma na [36:03] pagdadaanan [36:04] ng mga bata. [36:06] So, [36:06] ang raming kailangan [36:07] gawin, Karen. [36:08] 1,000 classrooms [36:09] ang nasira. [36:10] Of course, [36:10] 37 ang casualty count [36:12] natin ngayon [36:13] during this earthquake. [36:16] Government needs [36:16] to come in, [36:18] act fast. [36:19] Yung pagbibigay [36:20] ng pondo [36:21] para ma-repair [36:22] yung mga classroom [36:23] or para gumawa [36:23] ng mga bagong classroom, [36:24] kailangan mabilis. [36:27] And one of the priorities [36:28] of our committee [36:29] is also to check [36:31] yung nakalaan [36:31] na 67 billion pesos [36:33] for 25,000 [36:35] or so classrooms. [36:37] Kumusta na ito? [36:38] Kasi June na. [36:39] It's already [36:40] half of the year [36:41] at marami sa mga [36:42] classrooms na ito, [36:43] hindi pa rin siya [36:44] nasisimulan. [36:45] Who is building [36:47] the classrooms? [36:48] What is the target? [36:49] The target for the year [36:51] is to start [36:51] 25,000 to 30,000 [36:53] classrooms. [36:54] So pag nag-hearing [36:54] na po kami [36:55] come July, [36:57] we hope na malaman [36:58] natin [36:58] nasa na ba tayo [36:59] dito sa schedule [37:00] natin. [37:01] May mga classrooms [37:02] dyan na [37:03] naibigay sa mga [37:04] governors [37:05] para gawin, [37:06] sa mga city mayors, [37:07] meron din sa DPWH, [37:09] nice natin makita [37:10] kung ano ba yung [37:11] schedule ng pagbubuo [37:12] ng classroom [37:13] at maaabot ba [37:14] natin yung ating target [37:15] na 26,000 [37:16] classrooms [37:17] started in 2026. [37:18] So if I ask you [37:20] because education's [37:21] been your advocacy [37:22] for many years [37:23] in all the years [37:24] you've been in the Senate, [37:25] education has the [37:26] highest budget. [37:27] Yes. [37:28] 1.34 trillion pesos [37:30] Karen. [37:30] So what is our problem? [37:32] Where, [37:33] where, [37:33] what is it? [37:34] Where's the gaps? [37:36] The loophole? [37:37] Where's... [37:37] Napakarami. [37:38] Ano ba? [37:39] May pera naman? [37:40] Yung pera, [37:41] kulang pa rin yan Karen. [37:42] Kulang pa rin. [37:42] Kulang pa rin yan. [37:43] The spending that we need [37:44] to do, [37:45] itong 67 billion, [37:46] biggest na yan [37:48] in our history [37:48] for classrooms [37:49] but we have to spend [37:50] at that level [37:51] for 8 to 10 years [37:52] para lang mapunuan [37:54] lahat ng classroom [37:54] na kulang sa Pilipinas. [37:56] Yung teachers natin [37:57] kailangan ng support. [37:58] Many of them feel [37:59] underpaid [38:00] and overworked. [38:01] Yung internet [38:02] na napakahalaga na [38:03] for our learning environment [38:04] kailangan nandyan. [38:05] Yung textbooks [38:06] and most importantly, [38:08] ito talaga, [38:09] most importantly, [38:10] kailangan mapasa na [38:11] yung amendments [38:12] to the National [38:13] Feeding Program law. [38:14] So, I was supposed [38:16] to sponsor this [38:17] noong May 11. [38:18] Nakuha ko na yung signatures [38:19] na kasama ko. [38:21] Maraming pumirma [38:22] pero hindi ko ito [38:22] na-sponsor [38:23] dahil nagkaroon [38:24] ng leadership change. [38:25] Pagbalik na pagbalik [38:26] sa session, [38:26] we will sponsor this, [38:28] we will push for this. [38:30] Ito yung nag-amend [38:31] sa ating [38:32] National Feeding Program law [38:34] para ngayon, [38:35] lahat na ng [38:36] kinder to grade 3 [38:37] meron ng pagkain. [38:38] Currently, Karen, [38:39] kasi yung lumang batas, [38:41] yung malnourished [38:42] tsaka stunted lang [38:43] at undernourished [38:44] yung bibigyan ng pagkain. [38:45] After this law is passed [38:47] and we have full support [38:48] from DepEd [38:49] and from my [38:50] congressional counterparts, [38:51] kina Congressman [38:51] Roman Romolo, [38:53] pag napasa na ito, [38:55] lahat ng kinder [38:55] to grade 3 [38:56] sa mga public school [38:57] mabibigyan na [38:58] ng masustansyong pagkain. [38:59] And how many are they? [39:00] How many would they be? [39:01] Because 28 million [39:02] is the total enrollees. [39:04] Yeah, that's about [39:05] 4 or 5 million. [39:06] Marami yan. [39:07] Maraming maraming kabataan [39:08] yan na target natin dito. [39:11] Malaking pondo [39:12] yung ilalaan dito. [39:13] And we took [39:15] about 7 months [39:16] to study [39:16] how to do this properly. [39:18] Kasi hindi sapat [39:19] na bigyan mo ng pera [39:19] yung DepEd. [39:20] I wanted to ask you that. [39:22] So where does [39:23] the problem lie? [39:24] So eto na yung pera, [39:25] andyan na yung pera, [39:27] o gawin nyo yung classroom, [39:28] eto yung feeding program. [39:30] Where is the problem [39:31] in between? [39:32] Okay, so maraming [39:33] modalities na pwede dyan, [39:34] Karen. [39:34] Unang-una, [39:35] ang pinakasimple, [39:36] yung mga [39:36] pre-packaged [39:38] nutritious goods. [39:39] Mga cookies, [39:41] mga Nutriban, [39:42] kung ano, [39:42] ganyan. [39:44] At unfortunately, [39:45] yung mga bata, [39:46] nagsasawa rin sila dyan. [39:47] Yeah, yeah, yeah. [39:48] Ang pinaka gold standard natin, [39:50] hot meals. [39:51] Agree. [39:51] Okay, hot meals [39:52] for our children. [39:54] Ang better pa dyan, [39:55] kung yung hot meals, [39:56] nabibili natin yung mga gulay [39:57] at yung mga karni at baboy [39:58] dun mismo sa mga local farmers. [40:00] Ito naman, [40:01] adbukasya yan ni Senator Kiko. [40:02] So, [40:03] there are different modalities [40:04] that we need to allow. [40:06] Kailangan natin bigyan [40:07] ng konting espasyo, [40:08] yung mga local government unit, [40:10] yung private sector, [40:11] at yung dependent mismo [40:13] na per area, [40:15] baka iba-iba yung ating [40:17] paraan. [40:17] Because there are some [40:18] local government units. [40:20] But is the money released as fast? [40:21] No, it's not. [40:22] So, isa pa yan. [40:22] So, marami tayong [40:24] local government units, [40:25] they're award-winning [40:26] because of their nutrition program. [40:28] Oh, really? [40:29] So, yung mga yun, [40:30] bigay mo nila yung pondo [40:31] sa kanila, [40:32] sila na mag-implement. [40:33] Yung iba naman, [40:34] na medyo hirap talaga, [40:35] maybe we can have like, [40:38] and this is in the cities, [40:39] yung prepackaged food. [40:40] Diba? [40:40] Kasi siguro mahirap [40:42] yung fresh food. [40:43] So, maraming iba't ibang [40:44] klaseng modality, [40:46] we have the best practices [40:47] over the last so many years, [40:48] at nabuo na yung batas na yan. [40:50] Yeah. [40:50] Once that's passed, [40:51] and it's funded for 2027, [40:54] there's already an increase [40:55] for 2026, [40:55] but once it's funded [40:56] even more for 2027, [40:58] yung isang malaking problema [41:00] sa ating public schools [41:01] na pumapasok yung mga bata [41:03] na gutom. [41:03] Yeah. [41:03] Hindi sila makapagbasa, [41:05] hindi sila makapag-aral, [41:06] hindi sila nahihirapan silang matuto [41:08] dahil nagugutom sila. [41:09] This can be addressed. [41:11] Now, yung isa pang magagawa [41:12] nung batas ka rin, [41:13] yung mga gaps mapupunuan. [41:15] Ano yung gap? [41:16] Meron ka kasing tulong [41:17] sa mga pregnant mothers. [41:19] No? [41:20] First 1,000 days. [41:21] So, [41:22] ibig sabihin, [41:22] hanggang 3 years old yan. [41:24] Eh, [41:24] yung pumapasok sa skwelahan, [41:26] 5 years old, [41:26] tsaka 6 years old eh. [41:28] So, [41:28] meron kang 2 years na [41:29] walang pagkain [41:30] yung mga bata. [41:31] So, [41:31] the law [41:32] also fills in [41:33] those gaps [41:34] para habang yung mga nanay [41:35] buntis pa lang, [41:36] may suporta na. [41:38] Habang baby, [41:38] may suporta na. [41:39] Habang tumatanda, [41:40] may suporta na. [41:41] Tapos, [41:41] pagpasok sa skwelahan, [41:42] meron pang school feeding program. [41:44] So, [41:44] we're looking at a major shift [41:46] towards nutrition, [41:48] towards helping our children [41:50] to become healthier [41:51] para mas makapag-aral, [41:53] mas matuto, [41:54] at yung mga grades [41:55] na laging pinag-uusapan, [41:56] kulang ng literacy, [41:57] kulang ng ganito, [41:58] maa-address yan [41:59] kung may laman ng tiyan [42:00] yung mga bata. [42:01] So, [42:01] this is a major reform. [42:03] And this is one of the main priorities [42:05] pagbalik na pagbalik. [42:07] I was hoping... [42:08] Can't you make children [42:09] in the Philippines? [42:10] Honestly, [42:11] I don't think it's funny. [42:13] But we don't eat enough eggs. [42:15] I mean, [42:15] I know it may sound funny now, [42:17] but, right? [42:18] The truth is, [42:19] eggs are everything. [42:20] Protein helps your intelligence. [42:22] Hindi ako magpapanggap na Dr. Carrera. [42:24] But why not? [42:25] So, ano yan? [42:26] May nagsuggest ng eggs, [42:27] may nagsuggest ng malunggay, [42:29] may nagsuggest ng gatas ng... [42:31] Kalabaw. [42:31] Hindi, kalabaw. [42:33] Ng kambing. [42:35] Okay? [42:36] Marami yung sinasuggest. [42:37] May mga doktor tayo [42:38] at scientist [42:39] na pwede magbuo niyan. [42:40] You have the National Nutrition Council [42:42] for that, no? [42:43] Ako lang, [42:43] nandiyan dapat yung framework, [42:45] nandiyan yung pondo, [42:46] nandiyan yung paraan. [42:47] And then, [42:48] we allow all of these local governments [42:50] and the local schools [42:51] to determine [42:51] ano yung best solution for them. [42:53] As long as the support is there, [42:55] mangyayari, [42:55] kayang mangyari yan, Karen. [42:57] And this is a big shift [42:59] from so many years. [43:00] Nung first time ko pa lang [43:01] pinag-uusapan na ito eh, [43:02] paano natin ito papakainin? [43:03] And now, [43:04] ako, [43:05] sa tingin ko, [43:05] we have the budget [43:06] and we need the political will [43:07] to get it done [43:08] na yung mga bata, [43:09] may pagkain sila. [43:10] Okay, alright. [43:11] Other than the feeding program, [43:12] of course, [43:13] watching the budget for education, [43:15] is there another advocacy [43:17] that you want to see through? [43:19] Okay, [43:20] marami to, Karen. [43:21] Okay. [43:21] Unang-una, [43:22] we have two bills in Congress [43:23] na hinihintay na lang namin. [43:25] Pasado na ito sa Senado, [43:27] hinihintay namin sa Kongreso [43:29] na may pasa naman nila. [43:30] This is the CAP and Cadena. [43:32] Yung CAP is the Classroom Acceleration Program [43:35] na siyang tutulong [43:36] na ma-accelerate [43:38] yung paggawa ng mas maraming classroom. [43:41] The basic idea there... [43:42] So may budget na yun [43:43] pero wala pa yung acceleration program? [43:45] Wala pa. [43:45] So yung laman ng acceleration program, [43:48] nandun naman siya [43:48] sa special provisions ng GAA. [43:50] But that's good for only this year. [43:52] Pag napasa na yung batas, [43:53] ibig sabihin, [43:54] looking forward, [43:56] may mga paraan na tayo [43:57] na nakabuilt in [43:58] na mas mabilis yung paggawa ng classroom. [44:00] And basically, [44:01] we are asking the LGUs [44:03] to build side by side [44:05] with the national government. [44:06] Sabay-sabay tayong gagawa. [44:08] Kung sabay-sabay tayong gagawa, [44:09] mapupunuan natin yung gap na ito. [44:11] Kung isang ahensya lang yung gumagawa, [44:13] iaabot talaga tayo ng 30 to 40 years. [44:15] We need to activate. [44:17] Ano pa yung isang maganda dito [44:18] sa Classroom Acceleration Program, Karen? [44:20] Kapag maraming nagbe-build [44:21] in many areas, [44:22] yung ekonomiya natin gumagana. [44:25] Yung construction workers may trabaho. [44:27] So it will also help. [44:29] Ang bilang namin, [44:30] it will help create 100,000 jobs. [44:32] If that budget is distributed [44:34] across different areas [44:36] and we allow the LGUs [44:38] to build alongside the national agency. [44:41] Yung isa pa, [44:41] nahinihintay namin yung kadena. [44:42] Blockchain the budget. [44:44] But wasn't this a priority? [44:46] It is, but... [44:47] But I thought... [44:49] Kaya gusto natin mag-hearing ka rin, [44:50] malaman nasaan na [44:51] ang prosesong ito [44:53] at makita natin [44:55] yung estimate [44:56] ng paggamit ng pondo. [44:57] Kailan ba ito magagamit? [44:58] Kailan ito mada-download? [44:59] Kailan tayo mag-groundbreaking? [45:01] Ang goal natin [45:02] is 26,000 classrooms this year. [45:04] But ideally, [45:05] before the sauna, [45:07] that should already be... [45:08] that should have passed. [45:09] Ideally, [45:10] so that it's part of the sauna. [45:12] It's also LEDAC. [45:13] It's also part of the priority. [45:14] So, [45:15] bakit nakabin-bin ito? [45:16] Yung pangalawa... [45:17] It's not a good sign. [45:18] Yung pangunahing tugon [45:20] sa mga problema [45:21] sa flood control, [45:22] yung blockchain the budget. [45:24] Diba? [45:24] You had the enforcement side, [45:26] which the Ombudsman is doing. [45:27] Pero pag iting sa legislation, [45:29] yung blockchain the budget [45:30] and transparency push, [45:32] yun yung pangunahing [45:33] panglaban natin [45:34] sa korupsyon. [45:34] Hindi pa rin pasado sa Kongreso. [45:36] O, [45:36] ang tagal na yung pasado na yan [45:38] sa Senado. [45:38] Bakit wala pa rin sa Kongreso? [45:39] Kaya we're hoping [45:40] our partners in Congress [45:42] can speed this up. [45:44] Hindi na siya aabot [45:44] sa SONA, Karen. [45:45] It will have to happen [45:46] after the SONA. [45:47] Baka naman kasi nga [45:47] kung ano-ano inatupag [45:49] sa Kongres? [45:50] Kami yung maraming [45:51] kung ano-ano inatupag. [45:52] They had a lot of time [45:53] noong May and June [45:55] to get that passed. [45:56] So, [45:56] we're hoping [45:57] it will also pass. [45:58] Dalawa lang yan. [45:59] Ano pa yung mga [45:59] in the works? [46:00] Okay, [46:01] you have a minute to go. [46:02] School to employment program [46:03] na siyang [46:03] baka pwedeng tumugon [46:05] sa mga problema [46:06] sa K-12. [46:06] Pero wala pa noon ngayon? [46:08] Hindi pa siya [46:09] across all of the schools. [46:12] Yung School Safety Act [46:13] na pwedeng tumugon [46:14] sa bullying, [46:14] I know this is also [46:15] an issue close to your heart. [46:17] Nag-hearing na kami dyan [46:18] and maraming suggestions [46:20] on increasing the security, [46:22] creating the councils [46:23] para matigil yung bullying, [46:25] both preventive [46:26] and to address [46:28] or enforcement side. [46:30] Napakarami pang [46:31] kailangan gawin, Karen. [46:32] And ako naman, [46:33] ang balak lang natin, [46:34] when we get back to session, [46:36] bumalik tayo [46:37] sa isang Senado [46:37] na talagang ginagawa [46:39] yung mga reforma [46:40] ang kailangan ng tao. [46:41] Alright. [46:41] Keywords [46:42] when we get back to session. [46:44] Thank you. [46:45] Senator Bamaquino. [46:46] Salamat. [46:46] Thank you so much for that. [46:48] Thank you for joining me live.