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Lacson delivers privilege speech on flood control probe committee report

Rappler May 5, 2026 2h 14m 15,481 words 1 views
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About this transcript: This is a full AI-generated transcript of Lacson delivers privilege speech on flood control probe committee report from Rappler, published May 5, 2026. The transcript contains 15,481 words with timestamps and was generated using Whisper AI.

"especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable, and those who have no voice. Remind us that public office is a sacred duty and that we are called not to seek power for ourselves but to use it in the service of others. May we remember that we are accountable not only for what is seen but also for..."

[0:00] especially the poor, the weak, the vulnerable, and those who have no voice. [0:05] Remind us that public office is a sacred duty and that we are called not to seek power for ourselves but to use it in the service of others. [0:14] May we remember that we are accountable not only for what is seen but also for what we do when no one is looking. [0:21] Sa mga panahon ito, ng hirap at pagsubok, nais naming mag-alay ng espesyal na intensyon para sa aming mga kababayan. [0:31] Sa kabila ng pagtaas ng bilihin, kakulangan sa kita, pagtaas ng singil sa tubig at kuryente, [0:38] nawaybigyan mo ng tatag ang bawat driver na pinagkakasya ang iilang daang pisong kita sa buong araw ng pamamasada. [0:47] Ang mga magsasakat-mangingisda na umaalma sa presyo ng krudo na may malaking epekto sa pag-aangkat ng ani. [0:55] Ang mga manggagawa na umaasang mabigyan ng mas mataas at sapat na sahod. [1:00] At ang bawat Pilipino na lumalaban ng patas upang makaahon sa araw-araw. [1:06] Bilang mga lingkod bayan, bigan niyo po kami ng karunungan, tamang pagdesisyon, [1:12] at matatag na determinasyon na itaguyod ang bawat pangangailangan at hinaing ng aming mga kababayan. [1:19] Gawin niyo po kaming instrumento at maging daan ang aming tungkulin para mapagaan ang kanilang bawat pasanin [1:27] at mabigyan sila ng kaginhawahan. [1:30] Bless the Senate, our legislators, our staff, all those who serve in government. [1:36] May every Filipino home have food on the table, dignity in labor, hope in hardship, and faith in the days ahead. [1:45] We ask this in your holy name. Amen. [1:48] The Secretary will please call the roll. [2:28] With 21 senators present, the chair declares the presence of a quorum. [2:47] Good afternoon, Mr. President. Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat. [2:52] Mr. President, I move that we dispense the reading of the Journal of the 59th Session, [2:58] Monday, May 4, 2026. It's considered the same as approval. [3:01] Before we would like to make a correction, there were 23 senators present. [3:17] Thank you, Mr. President. [3:19] Senator Scudero was here on my side, and Senator Aimee Malkos was just at the opening of the door. [3:26] Thank you, sir, for the correction. [3:28] There were 23 senators present. [3:31] Therefore, they are not late. We are all on time. [3:34] Mr. President, we have a guest in the Senate today. [3:38] We have our dear friends from Sultan Kudanat. [3:42] He's here, the governor of Sultan Kudanat, Governor Dato Pax Mangudadato. [3:46] Yes. [3:47] My worshipful brother. [3:50] Yes. [3:51] And guest also of Senator Antiveros from the province of Nuevo Vizcaya, [3:56] led by Vice Governor Euphemia Ang Dakayaw. [3:59] We also have with us guest of Senator Pangilinan, Anggono Mayor Jerry Calderon, [4:07] and also the LGU of Mansalay Oriental Mindoro, [4:11] headed by Mayor Toy Maliwanag, and former Congressman Diego T. [4:15] We have also guests from Isamis University, led by Dr. Virgilio Oganisa. [4:24] And we also have a guest of Senator Pangilinan from Ilocosur, Santa Catalina, Mayor Eugene Rapanut. [4:33] May we welcome them all, Mr. President. [4:37] All right. [4:37] We welcome all our guests to the Senate this afternoon. [4:40] Thank you for joining us. [4:42] Maybe I ask for minute suspension, Mr. President, to calm everybody down. [4:46] All right. [4:48] For everybody to be able to pipe down the session. [4:52] Yes, may I ask our colleagues to. [4:53] Session is suspended. [4:54] Mr. President, I just want to refer back to the previous motion. [7:36] We weren't able to act on it. [7:37] I move that we dispense with the reading of the journal of the 59th session, Monday, May 4, 2026, [7:42] and consider the same as approved. [7:44] Any objection? [7:45] Chair, here is none. [7:46] The reading is dispensed with, and the journals approve. [7:51] Mr. President, before we proceed to the reference of business, [7:54] we have received with us, we have in receipt two very important BICAM measures. [8:00] May I ask my colleagues that if we may act on this measure? [8:05] Mr. President, we're in receipt of the conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions [8:11] of Senate Bill No. 1937. [8:14] This is the GIDA Schools Act. [8:17] And House Bill No. 4745, the Last Mile Schools Act. [8:23] With that, I'd like to recognize the chairperson of the Senate panel, [8:27] Senator Bam Aquino, to give us the highlights of the conference committee report, Mr. President. [8:31] Yes, Senator Bam Aquino is recognized. [8:34] Mr. President, dear colleagues, as a result of the conference committee meeting on the [8:49] Last Mile and GIDA Schools Act held on April 22, 2026, I have the honor to submit the [8:54] conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1937, or the GIDA [9:00] Schools Act, and House Bill 4745, or the Last Mile Schools Act. [9:05] Also submitted is the joint explanation of the conference committee on the disagreeing provisions [9:10] of the two versions of the bill, which shall likewise serve as my sponsorship speech. [9:15] And with that, Mr. President, with the permission of the body, I move that the joint explanation [9:20] be read in total into the record and that the conference committee report on the Last Mile [9:26] and GIDA Schools Act be ratified. [9:29] So move, Mr. President. [9:30] Mr. President, I move that we ratify, approve and ratify the conference committee report [9:42] on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1937 and House Bill No. 4745, and let [9:49] the text to the joint explanation, Mr. President, be deemed read into the records of the chamber. [9:54] Any objection? [9:56] Hearing none. [9:57] The conference committee report and the disagreeing provisions on the disagreeing provisions of [10:02] Senate No. 1937 and House Bill 4745 is hereby approved and ratified. [10:10] Thank you, Mr. President. [10:11] May we recognize one of the authors, principal authors of the measure, no other than a distinguished [10:16] colleague from Mulacan, Senator Villanueva, Mr. President. [10:21] Senator Joel Villanueva is recognized. [10:23] Thank you, Mr. President. [10:24] Thank you, distinguished majority leader, Mr. President. [10:27] We express our full support for the ratification of this BICOM report. [10:33] And we again extend our sincerest gratitude to our fellow conferees in the Senate, Senator [10:39] Bam Aquino and Senator Wingat Chalian, as well as to our counterparts in the House of Reps [10:44] for their valuable contributions during the BICOM conference. [10:49] Mr. President, this measure seeks to address long-standing gaps in access, infrastructure, [10:56] and learning outcomes in our most underserved communities. [11:00] It ensures the improvement of school facilities nationwide by addressing resource deficiencies [11:07] and strengthening coordination among national government agencies and local government units. [11:14] Moreover, Mr. President, it establishes clear criteria and indicators for the identification [11:20] and development of last-mile schools and schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, [11:28] thereby promoting clarity and consistency in its implementation. [11:33] Equally important, Mr. President, is that this measure recognizes the vital role of our teaching [11:39] and non-teaching personnel in these areas by providing them with appropriate compensation, [11:45] allowances, and support, thus affirming that those who serve in the most challenging conditions [11:51] deserve not only our gratitude but our concrete and sustained assistance. [11:56] Mr. President, no child should be left behind simply because they were born in a far-flung or guida area. [12:04] Through this measure, we reaffirm our commitment to an education system that is equitable in practice, [12:11] one that reaches every learner, no matter the distance and the circumstances. [12:15] Again, Mr. President, maraming salamat at pagpalain tayong lahat ng ating Panginoong Diyos. [12:23] Majority Leader. [12:24] Thank you very much, Mr. President. [12:29] Congratulations to the authors and the sponsor of the measure. [12:31] Mr. President, we are also in receipt of conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions [12:36] on Senate Bill No. 1899 and House Bill No. 5939. [12:41] These are the bills, Mr. President, allowing the Department of Education to flexibly, [12:47] the flexibility rather, to determine the pedagogical approaches in basic education curriculum, Mr. President. [12:55] So with that, I'd like to ask you, Mr. President, to recognize the chairperson of the Senate panel, [13:00] Senator Bamakino, to give us the highlights of the conference committee report. [13:06] Yes, Senator Bamakino is recognized. [13:09] Yes, Mr. President, Majority Floor Leader, maraming salamat. [13:12] I have the honor to submit the conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 5939 and Senate Bill 1899 [13:20] on the bill seeking to amend Section 5 of Republic Act 10.533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. [13:28] Also submitted, Mr. President, is the joint explanation of the conference committee [13:32] on the disagreeing provisions of the two versions of this bill, [13:36] which will likewise serve as my sponsorship speech. [13:39] And with that, Mr. President, with the permission of the body, [13:41] I move that the joint explanation be read in total into the record [13:45] and that the conference committee report be ratified. [13:49] So move, Mr. President. [13:52] What does the Majority Leader say? [13:55] Thank you very much, Mr. President. [13:56] With that, I move that we approve and ratify the conference committee report [14:00] on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1899 and House Bill 5939. [14:06] And let the text of the joint explanation be read into the records of this chamber, Mr. President. [14:11] Any objection? [14:13] Chair, here's none. [14:15] The conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill 1899 [14:21] and House Bill 5939 is hereby approved and ratified. [14:26] Thank you very much, Mr. President. [14:29] Congratulations to the sponsor. [14:32] Thank you. [14:32] Marami salamat, Mr. President. [14:34] More to come, Mr. President. [14:35] Thank you. [14:38] Generality Leader. [14:42] Yes, thank you, Mr. President. [14:43] While we are waiting for amendments on a certain measure, [14:47] we are ready for sponsorship of certain measures, Mr. President. [14:51] Mr. President, I move to transfer from the calendar of ordinary business. [14:54] Sorry. [14:56] Oh, I move for the reference of business, Mr. President. [14:58] The Secretary will proceed with the reference of business. [15:03] P.S. First reading. [15:05] Set Bill 2044. [15:06] An accentuating the practice of midwifery as a profession in the Philippines, [15:10] providing funds and for amendment for a purpose of public act number 2644, [15:13] or otherwise known as the Philippine Midwifery Law and public act number 7392, [15:18] or otherwise known as the Philippine Midwifery Act, by Senator Ejercito. [15:21] Referred to the Comities on Civil Service and Finance. [15:25] 2045. [15:26] An accent granting the present of the Philippines the power to lower the rate [15:29] or suspend the imposition of value-added tax on plutonium products [15:33] for a limited period of one year in times of national emergency or state of calamity, [15:37] and by the purpose of sections 106 and 107, [15:40] National Internal Revenue Code as amended, by Senator Marcos. [15:43] To the Comities on Ways and Means and Energy. [15:46] 2046. [15:47] An act integrating basic financial literacy as a core subject in the junior and senior high school curricula [15:51] and as an integrated component of K-2-2 program in the Providence Heart and Four, by Senator Subiri. [15:57] To the Comities on Basic Education and Finance. [16:00] 2047. [16:01] An act reducing the value of tax from 12% to 10%, [16:04] amending the purpose of sections 106A, 107A, and 108A of National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, [16:11] as amended, by Senator Aquino. [16:14] Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. [16:17] 2048. [16:18] An act providing assistance to students or learners in public schools, [16:21] alternative education programs in state universities and colleges, [16:25] to regionalization of boosted technology subsidy program, by Senator Miller M. [16:28] Referred to the Committee on Basic Education, Higher Education, and Finance. [16:34] 2049. [16:35] An act establishing green spaces and parks in every city and municipality and providing funds for, [16:40] by Senator Miller M. [16:41] To the Committee on Public Works, Local Government, and Finance. [16:44] 2050. [16:46] An act establishing 24-hour public libraries in highly urbanized and first-class component cities, [16:51] providing accessible and inclusive public study places, [16:55] and providing funds for, by Senator Miller M. [16:57] To the Committee on Basic Education, Local Government, Ways and Means, and Finance. [17:01] 2051. [17:02] An act mandating local food procurement and establishing a national directory by program [17:06] for farmers and fisher folk and for other purposes, by Senator Ligarda. [17:10] To the Committee on Agriculture and Finance. [17:13] 2052. [17:14] An act extending the corporate life and expanding the powers of Philippine International Trade [17:18] Incorporation, amending for the purpose to present decree number 1071, [17:22] our domain is an revised search of the Philippine International Trade Incorporation, by Senator Loxone. [17:27] To the Committee on Government, Corporations, and Trade. [17:31] 2053. [17:31] An act institutionalizing the shared service facilities project for micro, small, and medium enterprises, [17:36] amending for the purpose of the Republic Act number 6977, as amended, [17:40] otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, by Senator Villarcy. [17:46] To the Committee on Trade, Economic Affairs, and Finance. [17:50] 2054. [17:50] An act further in promoting entrepreneurship by strengthening, empowering, and enhancing the financing [17:55] and other support programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises, [17:59] amending for the purpose of the Republic Act number 6977, as amended, [18:02] otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, by Senator Villarcy. [18:07] To the Committee on Trade, Economic Affairs, and Finance. [18:11] 2055. [18:12] An act providing support programs for freelancers and remote workers [18:15] through access to equipment, connectivity, and financial literacy, by Senator Villarcy. [18:21] To the Committee on Labor, Science, and Technology, and Finance. [18:26] 2056. [18:27] An act establishing national programs for coffee industry, providing funds for and further purposes, by Senator Villarcy. [18:33] To the Committee on Agriculture and Finance. [18:36] 2057. [18:38] An act promoting the development of the Bamboo Industry, by representing the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council, [18:43] creating the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center, providing incentives for bamboo plantation development, [18:49] and the property and financing for, by Senator Villarcy. [18:51] To the Committee on Trade, Ways and Means, and Finance. [18:54] 2058. [18:55] An act promoting the adoption of digital payments for financial transactions from government and all merchants, by Senator Villarcy. [19:02] Referred to the Committee on Banks. [19:03] 2059. [19:05] An act providing for the promotion of film and television tourism, creating the film Philippine office, providing funds for and further purposes, by Senator Villarcy. [19:14] To the Committee on Public Information, Ways and Means, no, Tourism, Ways and Means, and Finance. [19:20] 2060. [19:21] An act creating the Music Development Council of the Philippines, defining its powers and functions, in the property and funds for, by Senator Villarcy. [19:28] To the Committee on Culture, Ways and Means, and Finance. [19:32] 2061. [19:33] An act renationalizing the Romblon Provisional Hospital, located in the Municipal of Alinjongan, province of Romblon, [19:39] placing the hospital under direct supervision and control of the Department of Health, in providing funds for, by Senator Villarcy. [19:46] To the Committee on Health and Finance. [19:48] 2062. [19:50] An act declaring December 19 of every year, as a special working holiday, in commemoration on the founding university of the most worshipped and grandlands of free and accepted mansions of Philippines, by Senator Villarcy. [20:00] Referred to the Committee on Culture. [20:03] 2063. [20:04] An act providing for the construction under the sea tunnel or bridge from the province of Sor Sugon, to the province of Northern Summer, and the province of France Air 4, by Senator Villarcy. [20:13] To the Committee on Rules. [20:15] 2064. [20:16] An act providing for the Magna Carta of the Out-to-School Youth, by Senator Villarcy. [20:19] To the Committee on Youth and Finance. [20:23] 2065. [20:24] An act mandating protective measures for the prevention and mitigation of interrelated risks for other workers, operating funds for and for other purposes, by Senator Marcos. [20:32] To the Committee on Labor and Finance. [20:34] 2066. [20:35] 2066. [20:35] An act establishing a minimum age for social media use, regulating serious access to social media platforms, prescribing obligations for social media providers, and providing penitentiary reform, by Senator Garcilian. [20:46] To the Committee on Public Information and Science and Technology. [20:50] 2067. [20:51] An act postponing the November 2026 Barangay and Sanggunian, Kabataan elections, amending for the purpose, Republic Act No. 12232, appropriating funds for and for other purposes, by Senator Marcos. [21:02] To the Committee on Electoral Reforms, Local Government, and Finance. [21:06] 2068. [21:07] An act amending Republic Act No. 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drug Driving Act of 2013, by Senator Aquino. [21:15] To the Committee on Public Order and Public Services. [21:18] 2069. [21:19] An act establishing the Philippine National Meteorology Institute, Centering National Measurement System, and Propting Funds for, by Senator Villanueva. [21:27] To the Committee on Science and Technology, Civil Service, and Finance. [21:32] 2070. [21:34] An act expanding the Pantawid Pamilyang Program, amending for the purpose, Republic No. 11310, otherwise known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Act. [21:43] To the Committee on Social Justice and Finance. [21:50] 2071. [21:51] An act promoting safe and responsible digital platforms, by proposing duties and penalties, on social media platforms, on online service providers, for protection of age-restricted users, by Senator Villanueva. [22:02] To the Committee on Public Information and Science and Technology. [22:05] Resolutions. [22:06] Resolution No. 368. [22:08] The resolution calling for the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, in the cooperation of safety, in aid of conditions of sanitary landfills, and solid waste collection operations, [22:17] with the end of view of strengthening measures to protect workers from death, injury, or illness, arising by occupational hazards, by Senator Villanueva. [22:24] To the Committee on Labor and Health. [22:27] 369. [22:28] Resolution. [22:29] Resolution directing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, in aid of legislation, into a less over-reportation of sugar, its impact on the local sugar industry, [22:39] with the end of view in protecting the local producers and farmers, ensuring fair market conditions, and promoting a balanced and sustainable sugar policy, by Senator Ejercito. [22:48] Refer to the Committee on Agriculture. [22:51] 3-7-0. [22:52] Resolution. [22:53] Congratulating and commending Bini for attaining the historic milestone of being the first Filipino act to inform the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in India, California, [23:01] and for bringing pride in the honor of the Philippines, by Senator Aquino. [23:04] To the Committee on Rules. [23:05] 3-7-1. [23:06] Resolution earning the technical education and skills of authority to conduct a comprehensive view of the TESTA online program, [23:12] with the end of view of upgrading its online curriculum, with core-to-first credit skills to expand job opportunities, measured by LRC. [23:21] To the Committee on Higher Education. [23:24] 3-7-2. [23:25] Resolution directing the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the procurement, utilization, and coverage of human popular virus vaccine, [23:33] under the National Immunization Program, into the procurement policy measures to improve vaccination outcomes, by Senator Villarcy. [23:40] To the Committee on Health. [23:42] 3-7-3. [23:43] Resolution urging the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrary Reform, to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the reported continuing fair fish production in the country, by Senator Villarcy. [23:54] To the Committee on Agriculture. [23:56] 3-7-4. [23:57] Resolution the status of pamantasan ng Sudang Manila, Senator Soto III. [24:02] To the Committee on Finance. [24:03] 3-7-5. [24:05] Resolution directing the Committee on Energy to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, under design, targeting, and financing the Lifeline Rate Subsidy, [24:12] and other mandated electricity discounts, within the view of ensuring their fair and sustainable implementation, [24:18] without placing undue burden electricity consumers, by Senator Aquino. [24:22] To the Committee on Energy. [24:24] Majority Leader. [24:25] Sir, additional. [24:25] Oh, there is additional reference of business. [24:27] I'm sorry. [24:28] You may proceed. [24:29] Secretary. [24:32] Additional reference of business. [24:33] Committee reports. [24:34] Committee report number 57. [24:36] Prepared and submitted by the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People's Participations, [24:40] and Senate Bill number 2090, with Senator Soto III, De La Rosa, Marcos, Aquino, Hantiveros, [24:46] Ligarda, Ercito, Pangilinan, and Padilla, as authors of the reform, titled, [24:51] Anak Ensuring Proportional Representation in the House of Representative 2, Assentant Partly System, [24:56] Repealing Republic Act No. 7941, the Partly System Act, Recommending by Suba and Substitution of Service No. 192-201-757, [25:05] 1559, 1656, 1718, 1871, and 1907, by Senator Hantiveros. [25:13] Through the Calendar for Ordinary Business. [25:18] Committee report number 58. [25:19] Committee prepared and submitted jointly by the Committee on Culture and the Arts and Environment, [25:23] Natural Resources and Climate Change, of Senate Bill number 2092, with Senator Hantiveros, [25:27] and Ricardo as author of the reform, titled Anak, Declaring the Wiling-Wiling as a National Orchid [25:32] of the Philippines, recommending its approval in Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba and Suba. [25:38] To the Calendar for Ordinary Business. Majority Leader. [25:44] Thank you very much, Mr. President. [25:47] Mr. President, I move to transfer from the Calendar of Ordinary Business to Special Order, [25:50] Senate Bill No. 2090 under Committed Report No. 57. I so move, Mr. President. [25:54] Any objection? Hearing none, so transferred. [25:58] Mr. President, I move that we consider Senate Bill No. 2090 and ask the Secretary to read the title of the measure. [26:05] Hearing no objection, we are considering 2090. The Secretary will read the title of the measure. [26:10] An act ensuring proportional representation in those representatives to a sentent party list system, [26:15] repealing the public act No. 7941 or the party list system act. [26:20] Mr. President, may we recognize the sponsor, other than our committee chair, Senator Risa Anteveros, to sponsor the measure. [26:34] Yes, Senator Risa Anteveros is recognized. [26:37] Salamat po, Mr. President. [26:39] Mr. President, I rise today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2090 under Committee Report No. 57 or the Party List Reform Act. [26:49] The 1987 Constitution provides the foundation for the party list system of representation in Congress. [26:58] The constitutional provisions on party lists may be sparse, but the dreams and aspirations behind this mechanism of governance run deep and aplenty. [27:10] Mula sa mga debate ng mismong framers ng saligang batas at maraming kaso sa Korte Suprema hanggang sa nagpapatuloy na kritisismo sa kinahinatnan ng sistema nito. [27:23] Malinaw ang mga mga mga mithiin at pangangailangan ng taong bayan sa isang party list system na tunay na kumakatawan sa interes ng taong bayan. [27:35] Isang sistema na kritisism. [27:37] Isang sistema na sumisiguro sa isang kapatuloy na kritis. [27:38] Isang sistema na sumisiguro sa espasyo at nagbibigay boses sa mga vulnerabling sektor. [27:45] Isang sistema na nagpapalakas sa mga grupong may tapat na ideolohiya at nagsusulong ng advokasya. [27:54] At isang sistemang hindi mapanlin lang at napakadaling na abuso at nagagawang ekstensyon ng mga may kapangyarihan. [28:04] Ito po ang mga mithiin na sinisikap balansihin at itaguyod ng panukalang batas na hinahain ko po ngayon. [28:16] Sa Party List Reform Act, pagbabawalan po ang mga party list nominee na parte ng dinastiya. [28:24] Pati na ang mga contractor at tauha ng mga kumpanyang contractors ng gobyerno. [28:32] Simple lang po ang rason. [28:33] Ang interes na dapat pinaglalaban ng party list ay interes ng taong bayan. [28:40] Hindi lang ng ilang pamilya o ng mga ginagawang negosyo o sindikato ang kontrata sa gobyerno. [28:50] Pagbabawalan rin po ang pangalan ng mga party list na gumagamit ng mga proyekto ng gobyerno o sikat na politiko para iwas panluloko. [29:01] Sa alokasyon naman po ng posisyon, kalahati ng party list seats ay irereserba para sa mga batayang sektor. [29:13] Kasama po diyan ang labor, peasants and farmers, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, persons with disabilities, [29:26] women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, sexual and gender minorities, workers in the informal economy, [29:37] and such other sectors composed of any other group of citizens who share similar physical attributes or characteristics, [29:48] employment, interests or concerns which the COMELEC may recognize upon clear and convincing evidence, [29:57] are economically, politically or socially marginalized and underrepresented. [30:07] At ang mga nominee at representante dapat mismong kabilang sa sektor na gusto nilang i-representa. [30:16] Sisiguraduhin po nito ang tunay at buo ang boses ng mga sektor sa Kongreso. [30:23] Kalahati naman po ng party lists ay irereserba para sa political party list organizations, [30:34] mapanasyonal o regional man, na tunay na may ipinaglalabang ideolohiya sa kung paano dapat patakbuhin ang pamahalaan. [30:45] This aims to support more meaningful political organization efforts and a more mature party system. [30:55] This bill also introduces a new formula for apportioning seats based on the actual available seats for the party list system, [31:05] and which is more in line with the idea of proportionality. [31:10] These proposed reforms are informed by the inputs of constitutional framers, legal luminaries, academics, NGOs, and election watchdogs, [31:24] and the concrete recommendations of the Commission on Elections based on their actual historical experience and learnings. [31:34] Sinimulan ko rin po ang aking trabaho sa Kongreso bilang representative ng Akbayan Party List, Mr. President. [31:45] At sa maraming taon ko sa Kongreso, naging saksi po ako sa kung paanong naisasabuhay sa ating karanasan ang diwa ng party list system. [31:58] Sa kabilang banda, nakita ko na rin po kung paano ito naabuso. [32:03] Naniniwala po ako na panahon na para baguhin ang party list system. [32:11] Para siguruhin na ito ay makabuluhang nag-aambag sa mga pinapangako sa isang tunay na demokrasya. [32:22] Mahalagang hakbang po ang panukalang ito. [32:26] Salamat po, Mr. President. [32:28] Thank you, Senator Untiveros, Majority Leader. [32:30] Yes, next to sponsor the measures, no other than our Senate President, Senate President Vicente Soto III, Mr. President. [32:38] Instead of the objection, hearing none, the Senate President is recognized to co-sponsor the measure. [32:48] Thank you, Mr. President. [32:51] Mr. President, thank you, Mr. Majority Leader, my esteemed colleagues. [32:56] Thank you very much for this opportunity. [32:58] I was fortunate enough to be the co-sponsor and the vice chairman of the Committee on Electoral Reforms during the 9th Congress in 1995 when Senator Raul Rocco sponsored the party list law in this very hall. [33:23] Of course, we were in the old building. [33:25] So, I know where this is coming from and where we should be standing on. [33:35] Through the years, the interpretation of the law on party list has expanded. [33:42] It has expanded its qualification and has deviated from the intent of the framers of the 1987 Constitution and also deviated from the Congress that originally approved it. [34:05] So, which is to truly, we wanted then that this be truly represent the marginalized and the underrepresented. [34:17] The party list system has also been abused and used as a vehicle to pursue advocacies that are not for the best interest of the government. [34:32] So, the deviation from the true mandate of the party list system, which is to increase the social, economic, and political inequalities, has created the evil that was sought to be prevented by the framers of the Constitution. [34:52] To reiterate a portion of the decision of Justice Panganiban in the case of Bayan Muna v. Comelec GR No. 147613, and I quote, [35:07] The party list system is a social justice tool designed not only to give more law to the great masses of our people who have less in life, [35:20] but also to enable them to become veritable lawmakers themselves, empowered to participate directly in the enactment of laws designed to benefit them. [35:35] It intends to make the marginalized and the underrepresented, not merely passive recipients of the state's benevolence, but active participants in the mainstream of representative democracy. [35:54] Thus, allowing all individuals and groups, including those which now dominate district elections, [36:06] to have the same opportunity to participate in party list elections would desecrate this lofty objective [36:16] and mongrelize the social justice mechanism into an atrocious veneer for traditional politics. [36:25] End of quote. [36:27] Mr. President, I definitely concur with Chief Justice Panganiban. [36:34] And so, today, I hope we will be able to reform the party list law to reflect the mandate and intent of the original law and of the Constitution. [36:48] As of now, we might say that it might not be in its perfect state, [36:57] but after the points that could be raised, it definitely could be improved after the period of the interpellations. [37:08] I'm sure with the leadership of the chairperson of the Committee on Electoral Reform, Senator Rizan De Veros, [37:14] we will be able to come up with an almost perfect law for the party list system in our country today. [37:21] So, with that, I thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for this opportunity to, once again, after 30 years, co-sponsor the bill. Thank you. [37:35] Thank you, Senate President Soto, Majority Leader. [37:38] Yes, also to sponsor the measure, Senator Robin Hood Padilla. May we recognize him as well. [37:43] Senator Robin Padilla is recognized. [37:45] Maraming salamat po, Ginoong Pangulo, at sa ating pinunong mayurya. [37:51] Mga kagalang-galang kong kasama sa Senado, ako po ay tumatayo bilang co-autor, [37:57] at ngayon po ay may mithiin na maging co-sponsor ng Senate Bill No. 2090, [38:06] isang panukalang batas na naglalayong ibalik ang tunay na diwa ng ating party list system. [38:13] Sa ating magaling na sponsor, Senadora Risa Honteberos, maraming salamat po sa inyong dedikasyon sa pamumuno ng ating kumite sa electoral reform. [38:27] Noong ipinasah ang Republic Act No. 7941 noong 1995, malilaw naman ang layunin ng batas, [38:36] bigyan ng boses at prioridad ang mga marginalized at underrepresented sectors. [38:45] Tulad ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa, kababaihan, katutubo, mangingisda, at kabataan. [38:54] Ngunit sa paglipas ng panahon, tila lubabnaw ang adikain ng batas. [39:02] Noong 2025 midterm elections, [39:06] mahigit kalahati sa mga rehistradong party list, [39:10] ay hindi man lang nagrepresenta sa kahit na anong marginalized na sektor. [39:16] Ang sistemang para sa walang tinig ay napasok ng may impluensya. [39:23] Ang sistemang para sa underrepresented na sektor ay nagamit ng mga politikal na dinastiya. [39:32] Sa halip na representasyon, ngayon ay nagkaroon ng distorsyon. [39:38] Marami na ang nagsabi kahit sa mga pagdinig sa Senado na ang party list system ay naabuso at nalihis sa tunay nitong layunin. [39:52] Ginoong Pangulo, bilang sa unan niyo pong buwan dito, sa atin pong pag-uusap sa lounge, [39:59] kayo po ang unang-unang nagsabi na kailangan na nating baguhin ang party list system. [40:05] Sa inyo po narinig yan. Sa inyo pong tinig, narinig ko po. [40:10] Sapagkat ang party list ay para sa tunay na marginalized. [40:14] Hindi para sa mga makapangyarihan. [40:17] Ang nominees ay dapat tunay na kabilang at kinatawan ng sektor, hindi pangalan lang. [40:24] May malinaw na disqualification laban sa mga political dynasties at vested interest ng iilang. [40:31] At may transparency sa salien, income at background ang mga napipiling nominees. [40:40] Mga mahal kong kasama sa Senado, ito na ang ating pagkakataon upang ibalik ang kredibilidad ng ating demokrasya sa malaking kapulungan. [40:51] Kung ang sektor ay walang tunay na boses, ang batas ay mawawalan ng saisay para sa mga taong ninanais nating mailikas sa sadlak. [41:03] Kung ang representasyon ay peke, ang demokrasya ay mahina. [41:10] Hindi natin pwedeng hayaang ang sistema ang ginawa para sa may hirap ay maging shortcut ng mga makapangyarihan. [41:18] Ginuong Pangulo, ako po'y naniniwala sa inyo. [41:22] Ang panukalang ito ay kaakibat ng mas malawak nating laban. [41:26] Laban sa political dynasties, laban sa political monopoly at para sa pagbubukas ng gobyerno sa mas maraming Pilipino. [41:36] Ako po ay buong pusong sumusuporta kay Sen. Riza Ontiveros at sumusuporta sa panukalang ito. [41:43] Maraming salamat po. [41:44] Thank you, Senator Padilla. [41:46] Majority Leader. [41:48] Maraming salamat po, Mr. President. [41:49] With that, Mr. President, that we allow our colleagues to study the measure, further I move to suspend consideration of the measure. [41:56] Hearing no objection, consideration of the measure is hereby suspended. [42:00] Mr. President, I move that we transfer from the calendar of ordinary business to special order. [42:03] Senate Bill No. 2092 under Committee Report No. 58. [42:07] This is the act declaring the Waling-Waling as the National Orchid of the Philippines. [42:10] Any objection? Hearing none. [42:12] Consideration of the measure is in order. [42:17] We ask the Secretary to read the title of the measure. [42:19] The Secretary will read the title of Senate Bill 2092. [42:23] An act declaring the Waling-Waling as the National Orchid of the Philippines. [42:26] May we recognize the sponsor, Mr. President, Senator Lauren Legarda for a speech. [42:35] All right. [42:39] Ms. Waling-Waling herself, Senator Lauren Legarda is recognized. [42:45] Meron akong bagong pangalan sa maraming binibigay na pangalan ni Senate President at ng mga paborito kong kasamahan dito. [42:53] Bakit naman hindi at makinig po kayo? [42:55] Bakit mahalaga ito? [42:56] Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I stood here on this same bill in 2012. [43:16] You were here then. [43:17] Napasan na natin to on third reading, enacted into law. [43:22] I'll tell you why. [43:23] I rise to sponsor an act declaring the Waling-Waling, Vanda Sanderiana as a National Orchid of the Philippines. [43:32] This is not the first time that this representation has sought to elevate the Waling-Waling to the level of a national symbol. [43:41] As early as 2012, I filed a measure proposing its declaration as an additional national flower alongside the Sampaguita. [43:53] That measure passed both houses during the 15th Congress, emphasizing its status as the Queen of Philippine Orchids, a rare and exceptional bloom endemic to our forests, particularly in Mindanao. [44:10] However, maingay yung mga boys dito. [44:15] Makinig kayo. [44:16] However, that proposal was ultimately vetoed. [44:22] Na veto po ng panahon yun. [44:23] May dahilan. [44:24] Mr. President, our national symbols must not only inspire, they must also be clear, coherent, and consistent within our legal and historical framework. [44:36] Today, we return with a more precise and thoughtful approach, instead of declaring it as a national flower alongside Sampaguita, which is an introduced species. [44:51] I think that came from, was it South America? [44:55] Find out. [44:56] It's an introduced species, which is our national flower. [44:59] We now seek to recognize the Waling-Waling in a manner that strengthens and harmonizes with our existing national symbols. [45:08] This bill proposes to declare the Waling-Waling as a national orchid of the Philippines. [45:15] The importance of this measure lies not merely in recognition, but in its protection. [45:21] The Waling-Waling is endemic to the Philippines. [45:24] It grows naturally in the forests of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga, three regions, and Bukidnon. [45:32] So the four regions of Mindanao. [45:35] Davao in region 11, Cotabato in the Barm region, Zamboanga in region 9, and region 10 in Bukidnon. [45:44] Yet, its survival is under threat from deforestation, illegal logging, from habitat loss, climate change, from the unchecked harvesting of wild specimens for commercial and decorative purposes. [46:01] To declare it as a national symbol is to elevate its status, and with that elevation comes responsibility. [46:09] Under this measure, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, present here today, is mandated to lead the conservation, protection, and the propagation efforts. [46:23] The National Museum of the Philippines, present here today, is tasked to preserve and promote its scientific, cultural, and heritage significance. [46:34] This is where symbolism meets substance. [46:39] Some may ask, why is this important? [46:42] That's why some of our colleagues were giggling again beside me. [46:46] The answer is simple. [46:48] Because this measure is not separate from our national priorities. [46:54] It is part of them. [46:56] Environmental protection is not a secondary concern. [47:00] Biodiversity conservation is not optional. [47:05] Cultural identity is not just ornamental. [47:10] They are foundational. [47:12] The Philippines is one of the world's richest centers of biodiversity. [47:17] And yet, also, one of the most threatened. [47:21] Every species we lose is a part of our heritage that disappears forever. [47:27] At the same time, our national symbols are instruments for education, for unity, of pride. [47:35] We deepen our understanding of who we are. [47:38] We must also refine and enrich the symbols that represent us. [47:42] This measure affirms the endemicity, the rarity, the beauty, popularity, [47:49] and the growing cultural significance of the waling-waling, qualities that make it worthy of national recognition. [47:57] Sa ating magbibigay ng karapat-dapat na pagkilala sa waling-waling, [48:03] nagbibigay din tayo ng malinaw na pahayag na pinahahalagan natin ang Pilipinas, [48:09] ang ating likas-yaman, pinagmamalaki natin ang mga bagay na tunay na atin [48:14] na nakatuon tayo sa pangangalaga nito para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. [48:20] For these reasons, I respectfully seek the approval of this measure for the second time in this chamber. [48:28] Thank you, Mr. President. [48:31] Before we recognize, Majority Leader, any of us, [48:37] may we ask that the sponsor look into the—during that—during the—perhaps the period of interpellations. [48:47] Perhaps during the period of interpellations or later on, you can look into the use of the word waling-waling. [49:00] Yes. [49:01] Because there is a product called waling-waling, which is bigas. [49:06] I think we should look into that and prohibit that. [49:10] May I clarify? [49:11] There is a product? [49:14] No. [49:15] A brand? [49:15] A brand, a brand of a rice. [49:21] Hybrid rice. [49:22] Oh, there's a rice brand called waling-waling. [49:26] Oh, we should—I think you should consider that later on. [49:29] Yes. [49:30] I have to check because sa IPO yan. [49:34] But waling-waling is a flower nga endemic to the Philippines. [49:38] But if there are others called waling— [49:39] It's a scientific name anyway. [49:40] Mr. President, it's okay because we'll be using the scientific name. [49:43] I'm sure maraming waling yan. May mga waling na restaurants, waling na damit, waling na produkto. [49:52] Well, it's the only one that I know of. [49:54] So I think you should look into that. [49:56] All right. Thank you. [49:57] Our protemp is in a happy mood and has funny jokes on the side. [50:03] But Mr. President, let me just state that the Sampagita, which is our national flower, na napakaganda. [50:08] Napakaganda. Sinusuportahan ko din naman ang pagpalago dahil nawawala na rin sa Sampagita. [50:14] Pero ito'y may South Asian origins galing ng Himalayas at sa Butan. [50:21] Pero hindi ko sinasabing tatanggalin natin ang Sampagita dahil lalo na sa Laguna, sa San Pedro Laguna, [50:27] dapat maamoy na natin ang muli ang hilamuyak? [50:31] Halimuyak. Halimuyak ng Sampagita. Kaya nga ito ay national orchid. [50:39] Siguro naman, mapapasa natin ang muli at hindi na i-vito ito dahil hindi ko na ginawang national flower, [50:45] so national orchid na po. At mahalaga po ito sa mga taga Mindanao. [50:49] Dahil yun ang kanilang yan. [50:51] Thank you po. Thank you. [50:53] Majority Leader. [50:54] Thank you, Mr. President. Meron lang ako special request sa ating Tita Ganda ng Senado. [50:58] Kita mo naman yung picture niya doon. Talagang, ito kanina pinakita yung picture niya. [51:04] Nasa podium, gandang-ganda. Napakaganda. [51:08] Pero sana pag naipasa natin ito, Mr. President, bigyan niya tayo ng tag-isang waling-waling na orchid. [51:14] Na regalo. Para meron tayong waling-waling sa bahay, Mr. President. [51:18] Of course, cultivated by our orchid growers from Davao. [51:23] Mr. President, next to co-sponsor the measure is Senator Robin Hood Padilla. [51:29] Senator Robin Padilla is recognized as co-sponsor. [51:32] Maraming salamat po, Ginong Pangulo at sa ating pinunong mayroya. [51:37] Ang waling-waling po ay isang natatanging yaman na endemic sa ating bansa. [51:44] Bihira, kinikilalang Queen of Philippine Orchids. [51:49] At sikat sa mga orchid intriations. [51:52] Dahil sa angking ganda nito. [51:55] Gayunpaman, minsan na itong naging endangered dahil sa pagkasira ng national habitat nito. [52:01] Kaya tigit na kinakailangan ng malinaw na proteksyon mula sa Estado. [52:07] Nililinaw ng panukalan na ito na hindi ito pinapalitan ang sampagita bilang pambansang bulaklak sa ilalim ng Proclamation No. 652. [52:15] Kundi pinalalakas ang ating pagkilala sa sarili natin mga bulaklak at mga orchids. [52:25] Higit sa simbolo, ito ay panawagan sa aksyon. [52:30] Pangungunahan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources ang konserbasyon at pagpaparami. [52:37] Habang ang National Museum of the Philippines ay magtataguyod ng pananalasik at kaalaman ukol dito. [52:42] Ako po ay buong puso na sumusuporta kay Senadora Loren Ligarda sapagkat ito po ay napakagandang panukala. [52:52] Sapagkat ito po ay may kinalaman sa ating kultura. [52:56] Sapagkat marami po sa ating mga habi, katulad po ng ating mga kasuotan ngayon, [53:04] ay nandyan din po ang paglalagay ng mga orchids, mga bulaklak, bilang pangungusap, bilang mga paglalagay at pagsusulat ng kasaysayan. [53:15] At isa po dyan ang paghahabi ng mga bulaklak o mga orchids. [53:23] Kaya mga mahal kong mga kasama dito sa Senado, [53:28] suportahan po natin ito dahil ito po ay ating matatawag na kasama sa ating kasaysayan. [53:35] Hindi po natin pwedeng kalimutan ang mga magaganda at mababangong masasabing parte ng ating pagiging isang bansa. [53:48] Pagiging isang Pilipino at isang pagiging Pilipina. [53:53] Kaya naman po, muli, sinusuportahan po po si Senadora Loren Ligarda, [53:58] ang ina ng kalikasan sa kanyang napakagandang panukala. [54:02] Maraming salamat po. [54:06] Majority Leader. [54:07] Maraming salamat, Mr. President. [54:09] We will not allow our colleagues to study the measure further, [54:12] move to suspend consideration of the measure. [54:15] Any objection? Hearing none, consideration suspended. [54:18] Mr. President, before we take up another matter, [54:20] we'd just like to also recognize with us today, [54:23] former party list representative of Banat Party List, [54:26] Mr. Prince Dandy Ferranal and Mr. Kanaan Lee. [54:32] Sorry, Mr. President. [54:33] Yes, okay, we welcome them to the Senate. Thank you. [54:35] Mr. President, our distinguished colleague, the Senate President, Pro Tempore, [54:39] would like to be recognized to avail of the Privilege Hour. [54:42] I move to recognize him, Mr. President. [54:44] The President, Pro Temp, Senator Ping Laxon, is recognized. [54:59] Thank you, Mr. Majority Leader. [55:02] Thank you, Mr. President. [55:04] Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, [55:07] where there's will, there's a will, there's a way. [55:09] This 400-year-old proverb applies to everyone, bar none. [55:17] Since getting the required majority signatures for this representation, [55:21] to be able to report out on the floor, [55:25] your Blue Ribbon Committee's Parcel Committee report on the flood control saga [55:29] seemed doomed from the time we first routed the same last February 11, 2026. [55:36] I am compelled to stand before you on a matter of personal and collective privilege and for good reasons. [55:46] As we speak, the country's heat index is at its peak, but the Filipino's anger burns hotter. [55:55] Gano'ng katindi ang sikat ng araw, hindi nito matatabunan ang galit ng ating mga kababayan [56:02] na nalulunod pa rin sa gitna ng kapabayaan at kasakiman sa salapi ng ilang tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno. [56:11] Sampu ng kanilang mga kasapakat na kontratista dulot ng flood control scam. [56:19] Sa barangay Merkado, sa bayan ng Hagonoy, Bulacan, [56:22] ang baha ay bahagi na ng buhay. [56:25] Wala nang ginawa ang mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa eskwela, [56:30] mga namamalakayang pumapalaot at manggagawang araw-araw kumakayod, [56:36] kundi lumusong at maabala sa hindi masawatang baha. [56:42] Sabi nga ng isang residente doon, [56:45] kung ipinag-aralan lamang ang pinaggagawa nila, [56:49] hindi kami magdurusa tulad nito. [56:52] Sawang-sawa na kami. [56:54] Habang sila ay nakahiga sa kama, kami ay nakahiga sa tubig baha. [57:01] Sa kasamaang palad, magpapatuloy pa rin ang siklo ng paglilimas, [57:05] paglusong at pagbubuis ng buhay at kabuhayan [57:09] ng mga taga-barangay Merkado tuwing sasapit ang tag-ulan. [57:13] Mr. President, Filipino families in more than 30 provinces [57:18] with high and medium-high exposure to flooding across the country [57:23] are sure to be flooded in months to come, [57:27] at risk of losing their livelihoods and lives. [57:31] Our country stands to lose about US$89 billion [57:36] between 2022 and 2050 due to floods and tropical storms. [57:42] Again, as we speak, the Philippines remains at the top of the World Risk Index 2025 [57:51] among 193 countries worldwide as the most disaster-prone country [57:56] due to high exposure to floods, typhoons, and other natural hazards. [58:03] These are only some of the reasons why I must speak today. [58:07] Mr. President, while the Parcel Committee report circulated to the Committee members [58:13] nearly three months ago remains pending for sponsorship, [58:17] I cannot ignore the public's urgent demand for transparency [58:21] regarding the flood control scandal. [58:24] Therefore, as Chairman of the Committee on Accountability and Public Officers and Investigations, [58:30] I rise today to deliver the Chairman's Progress Report. [58:35] This progress report contains the findings of the Parcel Report, [58:40] which is grounded but not limited to the seven exhaustive public hearings [58:46] in aid of legislation conducted by your Committee [58:49] on what stands as the largest corruption scandal in Philippine history. [58:56] This also touches on the proceedings of the eighth and latest hearing [59:00] and on other key matters of urgent concern to the succeeding public inquiries. [59:07] Again, for the record, the Parcel Committee report was circulated on February 11, 2026 [59:13] to the members of this Committee for thorough study and consideration. [59:19] As provided in our Rules, Section 1, Article 5, Blue Ribbon Committee Rules, [59:25] Committee reports must be signed by a majority of the Committee's members [59:29] before they can be filed with the Bills and Index Division of the Senate. [59:35] Given the scale of the investigation and the details of the discussion, [59:39] which, as you all know, reached more than 400 pages, [59:43] since the annexes, each member has been afforded more than sufficient time [59:48] to examine and scrutinize the full substance of the report. [59:51] Everyone is given a full opportunity to review and propose revisions, [59:58] modifications, deletions, and corrections. [1:00:02] In line with Senate practice, we have provided an advanced portable document format or PDF copy [1:00:09] to every office to allow our members to sufficient time for review. [1:00:15] Common sense lang sa isa nating kasamahan na pilit naghahanap ng original signed copy [1:00:20] at ginawa pang dahilan sa hindi niya pagpirma. [1:00:24] It should be understood that the digital version serves as the formal notification of the report's contents, Mr. President. [1:00:33] To date, almost three months have passed. [1:00:36] Only seven, including the President Chairperson and the Senate President, [1:00:41] have affixed our signatures to this draft. [1:00:43] I therefore thank our colleagues, Senator Erwin Tulfo, our Vice Chairman, [1:00:51] Senator Rizan Teberos, Senator Bam Aquino, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, [1:00:56] and the latest, Senator Rafi Tulfo, who have signed the partial report. [1:01:03] And while I disagree with those who have not, [1:01:06] let me state for the record, Mr. President, [1:01:09] that I respect their decision, [1:01:12] even as I understand whatever reasons they have for not signing. [1:01:17] Bottom line, it is their right as Senators of the Republic. [1:01:22] Nonetheless, it bears heavy emphasis. [1:01:27] Most of the findings of the partial committee report are no longer new and first view. [1:01:33] They have already been validated, if not overtaken, by current events. [1:01:38] In fact, the report may be pending, or while the report may be pending, [1:01:44] the wheels of justice have already begun to grind. [1:01:48] And I take pride in saying, in line with the direction of our report. [1:01:55] Mr. President, the Blue Ribbon Committee is a heavy cross to bear, [1:01:59] where every move is scrutinized and every intention is questioned. [1:02:04] But we shoulder on and force ahead. [1:02:07] In my more than 50 years of public service, [1:02:11] I cannot recall experiencing a situation where I am in now, [1:02:16] a zero-sum outcome, whichever path I track in the crafting of the partial committee report. [1:02:24] Never mind the trolls and critics who have been operating like clockwork. [1:02:30] To them, I say, [1:02:31] I have built my career and my reputation over decades on a simple principle, [1:02:37] that noise never overpowers duty, [1:02:40] and intimidation never silences me. [1:02:45] Set aside, if they must, [1:02:47] the fact that I have spent my entire public service career [1:02:51] refusing and resisting all forms of corruption, [1:02:55] from rejecting bribes from illegal gambling operations [1:02:58] and other unlawful activities during my law enforcement years, [1:03:02] let alone the pork barrel system which plundered our nation [1:03:06] and was later declared by the highest court as unconstitutional. [1:03:11] Not to mention my consistent rejection of lobby monies [1:03:15] in as many instances related to certain pieces of legislation. [1:03:21] Disregard, if they can, [1:03:23] the decades I have spent in the trenches as a budget watchdog [1:03:27] and a relentless buster of abuse of power. [1:03:30] If my track record of integrity is to be ignored today, [1:03:35] then let the evidence speak where my history is silenced by the critics and the trolls. [1:03:43] In the course of drafting this report, [1:03:45] my guidance to my staff was unequivocal [1:03:48] that we adopt a single standard in laying down the committee's findings. [1:03:54] We go where the evidence leads us. [1:03:58] Before we dive into the findings, [1:04:00] let us be very clear in plain, simple terms. [1:04:05] We are not here to indict, [1:04:07] much less convict, [1:04:09] or hand down a final judgment. [1:04:12] Hindi po ito isang hatol. [1:04:15] Rather, we're establishing a standard of clear indicia, [1:04:19] as lawyers call it, [1:04:20] to assist in whatever way we can [1:04:23] the proper authorities [1:04:25] who shall independently evaluate these findings, [1:04:30] determine probable cause, [1:04:31] and take the necessary legal actions. [1:04:35] Halimbawa, [1:04:36] sa kaso ng isang ng ating kasamahan [1:04:38] na si Sen. Jingoy Estrada, [1:04:41] ay mayroong bangong development [1:04:42] na naganap sa pamamagitan ng LBRMO [1:04:45] na nagpahayag na hindi si Sen. Jingoy [1:04:49] ang proponent basis sa record [1:04:51] ng mga proyektong [1:04:52] una nang naiugnay sa kanya. [1:04:56] Nonetheless, Mr. President, [1:04:58] let me be uncompromising. [1:05:00] In this long course of inquiry, [1:05:03] the Filipino taxpayers [1:05:04] are the complainant. [1:05:08] Our duty to them [1:05:09] is to answer three fundamental questions. [1:05:12] Number one, [1:05:14] where did the money go? [1:05:17] Two, [1:05:18] how was this corruption executed? [1:05:21] And three, [1:05:22] how do we fix the system [1:05:24] so it never happens again? [1:05:27] Mr. President, [1:05:28] this all seems like deja vu. [1:05:31] We have seen this before. [1:05:33] The history of corruption [1:05:34] in the Philippines [1:05:34] reflects a cyclical process. [1:05:37] It does not disappear when exposed. [1:05:40] It adapts and mutates to survive. [1:05:42] The flood control crisis [1:05:44] is the reincarnation [1:05:46] of the 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund [1:05:49] or PDAF SCAM, [1:05:51] but in a bolder scheme. [1:05:54] It serves as a scathing indictment [1:05:57] of the failure of our institutions [1:05:59] to deter corrupt machinations. [1:06:02] The enterprise remains unchanged in essence, [1:06:05] similarly orchestrated [1:06:07] by a cabal of officials [1:06:09] led by legislators [1:06:11] and their co-conspirators [1:06:13] within the government [1:06:14] and in the private sector, [1:06:16] only with a diversified format [1:06:18] and modus [1:06:19] of febri, [1:06:21] timing, [1:06:22] and language. [1:06:24] Like floodwaters, [1:06:26] these activities [1:06:27] seep into institutions [1:06:29] and areas of least resistance, [1:06:31] flowing into the [1:06:32] and exploiting new channels [1:06:34] where illicit rewards abound [1:06:37] and oversight is weakest. [1:06:40] Mula sa masilimuot na embisigasyon, [1:06:42] ilalatag ko ang synthesis [1:06:44] ng findings ng Kumite [1:06:47] sa limang bahagi. [1:06:49] Una, [1:06:50] napatunayan sa mga pagdinig [1:06:52] na ang problema sa baha [1:06:53] ay hindi nag-ugat [1:06:55] sa kakulangan ng pondo. [1:06:58] Instead, [1:06:59] the scale of funding [1:07:00] coupled with weak internal controls [1:07:03] and criminally complicit oversight [1:07:05] made the sector [1:07:07] an attractive target [1:07:08] for systematic plunder [1:07:10] of the public treasury, [1:07:14] effectively leaving [1:07:15] our citizens exposed [1:07:16] to a deluge of misery. [1:07:19] Ito ang nilalaman [1:07:20] ng part one [1:07:21] ng ating findings. [1:07:23] Second, [1:07:24] the anatomy [1:07:24] of this flood control anomaly [1:07:26] is inherently parasitic, [1:07:29] characterized by [1:07:30] a network of actors [1:07:31] spanning the highest levels [1:07:33] of authority. [1:07:35] Hence, [1:07:35] part two [1:07:36] of the findings [1:07:37] clearly laid out [1:07:38] how the anatomy works [1:07:41] from utilizing [1:07:42] an institutionalized workflow [1:07:44] deeply entrenched [1:07:46] within the bureaucracy, [1:07:47] employing mechanisms, [1:07:49] subbrazen, [1:07:50] and growth [1:07:51] that they either compromise, [1:07:54] recruit, [1:07:55] and or bypass oversight. [1:07:58] Third, [1:07:59] ang flood control mess [1:08:00] ay representasyon [1:08:01] ng sukdulan [1:08:02] at nakakarimarim na evolution [1:08:05] of the pork barrel system. [1:08:08] In this scheme, [1:08:09] corruption takes [1:08:10] different forms [1:08:11] and names [1:08:12] from congressional [1:08:13] slabs of pork [1:08:15] now euphemistically [1:08:16] rebranded [1:08:17] as allocables, [1:08:19] leadership funds, [1:08:20] and insertions, [1:08:21] extending their reach [1:08:22] even to the [1:08:23] unprogrammed appropriations [1:08:25] under the [1:08:26] General Appropriations Act. [1:08:28] Part three [1:08:28] details the scheme's [1:08:30] stark similarities [1:08:31] to that of the [1:08:32] pork barrel scam [1:08:33] from language [1:08:34] to operations. [1:08:37] Fourth, [1:08:38] the case of [1:08:38] Bulacan First District [1:08:39] Engineering Office [1:08:40] serves as a microcosm [1:08:42] of the systemic rot. [1:08:45] It provides a blueprint [1:08:46] of how flood control funds [1:08:49] are diverted, [1:08:50] revealing the interconnected [1:08:51] systems that facilitate [1:08:53] the corruption. [1:08:54] Fifth, [1:08:56] and finally, [1:08:57] the dire consequences [1:08:58] of this institutionalized [1:09:00] plunder [1:09:00] are not merely financial. [1:09:03] They are felt [1:09:04] in the structural erosion [1:09:06] of our democratic institutions, [1:09:08] the profound [1:09:09] disenfranchisement [1:09:10] of the Filipino people, [1:09:12] and the tearing [1:09:13] of the moral fiber [1:09:15] of the country. [1:09:17] Now we ask, [1:09:19] where did [1:09:19] the money go? [1:09:21] Evidence on record [1:09:23] shows how [1:09:24] the flood control [1:09:25] corruption scandal [1:09:26] exposed a systemic, [1:09:28] coordinated, [1:09:30] multi-actor process. [1:09:31] Isang malawakan [1:09:33] sa buatan [1:09:33] na ginawang [1:09:35] gatasan [1:09:35] ang mga proyekto [1:09:37] para sa flood control. [1:09:39] Ang pattern [1:09:40] ng korupsyon [1:09:41] ay systemic [1:09:42] at parasitic. [1:09:44] Magkakaugnay [1:09:44] mula sa mga aktor, [1:09:47] mekanismo, [1:09:48] at workflow. [1:09:50] Who are the actors? [1:09:52] In the course [1:09:52] of the hearings, [1:09:53] we have identified [1:09:55] key actors [1:09:56] who were implicated [1:09:57] in the flood control anomalies [1:09:59] and classified them [1:10:00] into eight groups. [1:10:01] Ang partisipasyon [1:10:04] ng mga aktor na ito [1:10:05] ay hindi limitado [1:10:06] sa isang grupo lamang. [1:10:08] Sila ay maaaring gumalaw [1:10:10] sa iba't-ibang kapasidad, [1:10:12] sabay-sabay [1:10:13] o nagpapalit-palit [1:10:15] depende sa pangailangan [1:10:17] ng kanilang operasyon. [1:10:20] Nariyan na mga proponents, [1:10:22] mga opisyal ng gobyerno [1:10:23] na kinikilalang [1:10:24] quote-unquote [1:10:25] may-ari ng proyekto [1:10:27] at tumatanggap [1:10:29] ng average [1:10:29] na 15 to 30% [1:10:31] na kickback. [1:10:32] Mga bagmen [1:10:34] or intermediaries [1:10:35] sinasabing [1:10:37] authorized representatives [1:10:38] and emissaries [1:10:39] of the proponents, [1:10:41] DPWH facilitators [1:10:43] and coordinators, [1:10:44] mga senior level officials [1:10:45] who coordinated [1:10:47] with proponents, [1:10:48] facilitated [1:10:49] the respective [1:10:50] project proposals, [1:10:52] accepted [1:10:53] their demand [1:10:54] for commitments [1:10:54] and other activities [1:10:56] related [1:10:57] to the flood control [1:10:58] anomaly process. [1:11:01] DPWH group, [1:11:03] syndicate groups [1:11:04] implementing the project [1:11:05] tulad ng [1:11:05] Bulacan 1st District [1:11:07] Engineering Office [1:11:08] at Oriental Mindoro [1:11:09] District Engineering Office. [1:11:12] Tinuturing ding [1:11:13] active actors [1:11:14] ang mga contractors. [1:11:16] Sila [1:11:17] ang namumudmod [1:11:18] ng commitments [1:11:19] o suhol [1:11:19] sa mga proponents [1:11:21] at iba't ibang grupo [1:11:22] na kasabwat [1:11:23] sa anomalya. [1:11:24] Madalas, [1:11:25] sila ay nagbibigay din [1:11:27] ng advances [1:11:28] bago pa man [1:11:29] ma-award [1:11:30] ang project. [1:11:31] Hindi nga ba [1:11:32] namanghatay [1:11:34] yung lahat, [1:11:34] Mr. President, [1:11:36] nang matuklasan natin [1:11:37] sa isang pagdinig [1:11:37] ang pahayag [1:11:38] ni Sally Santos [1:11:40] ng Sims Construction [1:11:41] na magkasunod [1:11:43] siyang nag-withdraw [1:11:44] noong Marso at Abril [1:11:46] 2025 [1:11:47] sa isang land bank branch [1:11:49] sa Bulacan [1:11:50] ng TIG [1:11:51] 457 [1:11:52] million pesos [1:11:54] na cash [1:11:54] na kanyang binigay [1:11:57] kay Bryce Hernandez [1:11:58] at mga kasabwat nito [1:11:59] sa Peres Bulacan [1:12:01] District Engineering Office. [1:12:04] Ang iba pang mga aktor [1:12:06] ay kabilang [1:12:07] sa executive branch, [1:12:08] bankers [1:12:09] at constitutional [1:12:10] oversight group. [1:12:13] These actors [1:12:14] thrive [1:12:14] in the vulnerability [1:12:15] of our systems [1:12:17] and institutions. [1:12:19] Now, [1:12:20] how was this [1:12:21] corruption executed? [1:12:24] Himay-himayin natin [1:12:25] ang mga [1:12:27] technical na paraan [1:12:28] kung paano [1:12:29] ninakaw [1:12:29] ang pera ng bayan. [1:12:31] These are [1:12:32] specific [1:12:32] mechanisms [1:12:33] of corruption. [1:12:35] Ang mga makinary [1:12:36] ang ginamit [1:12:36] para pabilisin [1:12:38] ang pagnanakaw [1:12:39] at pahinain [1:12:40] ang ating sistema. [1:12:43] Nariyan [1:12:43] ang ugat ng problema, [1:12:45] ang proponent system. [1:12:47] Meron pang [1:12:47] mandatory fixed [1:12:49] percentage, [1:12:50] commissions, [1:12:52] kickbacks, [1:12:53] paid-in cash, [1:12:54] rigged bidding [1:12:55] and favored suppliers [1:12:56] at in-house [1:12:58] contracting. [1:12:59] Ilan lamang ito [1:13:00] sa mga sistema [1:13:01] ng flood control [1:13:02] scam. [1:13:04] This corrupt system [1:13:06] exploited [1:13:06] the very foundations [1:13:08] of our fiscal [1:13:09] governance [1:13:10] through its [1:13:11] institutionalized [1:13:12] workflow [1:13:13] mula sa budget [1:13:14] formulation [1:13:15] at authorization [1:13:16] kung saan [1:13:18] sinisimulan [1:13:19] ang pagmamanipula, [1:13:21] procurement [1:13:22] and implementation [1:13:23] kung saan [1:13:24] ang mga kontrata [1:13:26] ay binibigay [1:13:27] sa mga kasabwat [1:13:28] na nakawan [1:13:29] sa nakawan [1:13:30] hanggang sa [1:13:31] oversight phase [1:13:32] na kung saan [1:13:33] nagmimistulang [1:13:33] pikit mata [1:13:34] sa katiwalaan [1:13:35] ang mga opisyal [1:13:36] ng gobyerno [1:13:38] na dapat [1:13:38] ay sumusubaybay [1:13:40] at nagmomonitor [1:13:41] sa mga proyekto. [1:13:43] This scheme [1:13:45] exploited [1:13:46] systemic [1:13:46] and institutional [1:13:48] weaknesses [1:13:49] in budget [1:13:50] formulation, [1:13:51] authorization, [1:13:53] implementation [1:13:53] and oversight. [1:13:56] Testimonies [1:13:57] and documents [1:13:58] revealed [1:13:58] that a wide [1:14:00] range of [1:14:00] public [1:14:01] officials [1:14:01] from legislators [1:14:03] to frontline [1:14:03] officials [1:14:04] as well as [1:14:05] private sector [1:14:06] co-conspirators [1:14:07] were complicit [1:14:08] in various [1:14:09] ways, [1:14:10] either by [1:14:12] approving [1:14:12] dubious [1:14:13] projects, [1:14:14] signing off [1:14:15] on ghost [1:14:16] projects, [1:14:17] or failing [1:14:18] to enforce [1:14:19] procurement [1:14:20] and performance [1:14:21] standards [1:14:22] and accountability [1:14:23] safeguards. [1:14:26] Next, [1:14:26] Mr. President, [1:14:27] how do we [1:14:28] fix the system [1:14:29] so it never [1:14:30] happens again? [1:14:33] Ang pinakamahalagang [1:14:34] bahagi ng report [1:14:35] ng Komite [1:14:35] ay ang mga [1:14:36] reforma [1:14:37] sa sistema, [1:14:38] batas [1:14:39] at proseso [1:14:40] sa pamamagitan [1:14:41] ng legislative [1:14:43] proposals. [1:14:44] We focus [1:14:46] on two [1:14:47] pillars. [1:14:48] First, [1:14:50] budget-related [1:14:51] proposals. [1:14:52] Tanggalin [1:14:53] ang anumang [1:14:53] uri [1:14:54] ng allocables [1:14:55] and leadership [1:14:56] funds [1:14:57] na pinauso [1:14:57] ng DPWH [1:14:59] upa mapaghati-hatian [1:15:01] ang pondo. [1:15:02] This [1:15:02] is a pork [1:15:03] barrel [1:15:03] incarnate [1:15:04] and it [1:15:05] clouds [1:15:05] our [1:15:05] fiscal [1:15:06] transparency. [1:15:07] We also [1:15:08] suggest [1:15:08] itemizing [1:15:10] unprogrammed [1:15:11] appropriations, [1:15:12] strict [1:15:12] compliance [1:15:13] with the [1:15:13] release [1:15:14] of unprogrammed [1:15:15] funds, [1:15:16] and public [1:15:17] disclosure [1:15:17] of excess [1:15:18] revenue [1:15:19] certifications [1:15:20] for the [1:15:21] use and [1:15:22] release [1:15:22] of [1:15:23] unprogrammed [1:15:24] appropriations. [1:15:25] Given [1:15:26] the massive [1:15:27] scale of [1:15:27] controversies, [1:15:28] particularly [1:15:29] under the [1:15:30] 2024 [1:15:31] appropriations, [1:15:33] we may [1:15:33] also consider [1:15:34] abolishing [1:15:35] the unprogrammed [1:15:36] funds altogether. [1:15:39] We are also [1:15:40] calling for the [1:15:41] vertical and [1:15:41] horizontal [1:15:42] convergence [1:15:43] of infrastructure [1:15:44] planning across [1:15:45] government [1:15:46] agencies, [1:15:47] both at the [1:15:49] national and [1:15:50] local levels, [1:15:52] and crucially, [1:15:53] enhanced public [1:15:55] participation and [1:15:56] legislative [1:15:57] transparency. [1:15:59] Second, [1:16:00] our [1:16:00] accountability and [1:16:01] anti-corruption [1:16:02] proposals. [1:16:04] Primary to [1:16:05] this is the [1:16:05] amendment of [1:16:06] Republic Act [1:16:06] No. [1:16:07] 6770 or [1:16:09] the Ombudsman [1:16:09] Act of [1:16:10] 1989, [1:16:11] which includes [1:16:12] A, [1:16:14] creation of [1:16:15] an anti-corruption [1:16:15] law enforcement [1:16:16] service in the [1:16:18] office of the [1:16:18] Ombudsman and [1:16:19] providing incentives [1:16:20] and protection to [1:16:21] whistleblowers. [1:16:22] B, [1:16:23] expanding the [1:16:24] authority of the [1:16:25] Ombudsman to [1:16:26] deputize private [1:16:28] lawyers, [1:16:29] as special [1:16:29] investigators and [1:16:31] prosecutors. [1:16:33] C, [1:16:34] fiscal autonomy [1:16:35] loss for the [1:16:36] office of the [1:16:36] Ombudsman and [1:16:38] the Commission on [1:16:38] Audit. [1:16:39] This is in line [1:16:40] with the [1:16:41] precedent of [1:16:42] giving fiscal [1:16:44] autonomy to the [1:16:44] Supreme Court as [1:16:46] provided under [1:16:47] Republic Act [1:16:48] 12233 or the [1:16:50] Judiciary Fiscal [1:16:51] Autonomy Act. [1:16:53] We won't allow [1:16:54] another fiscal [1:16:55] intimidation faced [1:16:57] by COA in [1:16:58] 2020 when its [1:17:00] appropriations were [1:17:01] held hostage as [1:17:03] for later release [1:17:05] or FLR. [1:17:07] For too long, [1:17:08] our laws had more [1:17:09] holes than a sieve. [1:17:12] We are here to [1:17:13] plug them. [1:17:14] We will define [1:17:18] beneficial ownership [1:17:20] and conflict of [1:17:21] interest so that [1:17:23] no legislator can [1:17:25] hide behind a [1:17:26] corporate bail. [1:17:28] We will also push [1:17:29] for a law [1:17:30] defining and [1:17:31] penalizing the [1:17:32] crime of [1:17:33] infrastructure fraud [1:17:34] and bid rigging in [1:17:36] the award of public [1:17:37] infrastructure contracts. [1:17:39] We also propose [1:17:40] authorizing the [1:17:41] Ombudsman and the [1:17:43] Secretary of Justice [1:17:44] to issue [1:17:45] whole departure [1:17:46] orders for those [1:17:47] involved in [1:17:48] large-scale [1:17:48] corruption. [1:17:49] No more [1:17:50] fleeing before [1:17:51] justice is [1:17:53] served. [1:17:54] We likewise [1:17:55] propose a [1:17:56] strict prohibition [1:17:57] and higher [1:17:58] penalties against [1:17:59] government employees [1:18:00] gambling in [1:18:02] casinos. [1:18:03] Titiyakin natin [1:18:04] na wala [1:18:04] ng BGC [1:18:05] boys na [1:18:06] magwawaldas [1:18:06] ng limpak-limpak [1:18:08] na salapi [1:18:09] para linisin [1:18:10] o ilonder [1:18:11] sa kasino. [1:18:12] As a measure [1:18:14] of accountability [1:18:15] we will [1:18:16] pass a law [1:18:16] for the [1:18:17] digitalization [1:18:18] of SALEN [1:18:19] and PDS [1:18:20] and a law [1:18:21] for the [1:18:21] comprehensive [1:18:22] whistleblower [1:18:23] protection measure [1:18:24] to strengthen [1:18:25] oversight of [1:18:26] government [1:18:27] projects. [1:18:29] On accountability [1:18:30] we observe [1:18:32] that state [1:18:32] auditors [1:18:33] are physically [1:18:34] based in [1:18:35] the agencies [1:18:35] they audit [1:18:36] and receive [1:18:37] substantial perks [1:18:39] from those [1:18:39] agencies [1:18:40] such as [1:18:41] office space [1:18:42] supplies [1:18:43] personnel [1:18:44] and cash [1:18:45] gifts [1:18:45] among others. [1:18:47] These [1:18:47] arrangements [1:18:47] create [1:18:48] familiarity [1:18:49] which limits [1:18:51] our state [1:18:51] auditors' [1:18:52] ability [1:18:53] to conduct [1:18:54] a legitimate [1:18:55] audit [1:18:55] and in [1:18:56] many cases [1:18:57] creates [1:18:57] conflicts [1:18:58] of interest. [1:18:59] Hence [1:19:00] we are [1:19:00] proposing [1:19:01] a law [1:19:01] that will [1:19:02] facilitate [1:19:03] and support [1:19:03] the withdrawal [1:19:04] of COA [1:19:05] auditors [1:19:06] and the [1:19:06] recall to [1:19:07] the central [1:19:07] home office [1:19:08] from their [1:19:09] ODT [1:19:09] agencies [1:19:10] to ensure [1:19:11] independent [1:19:12] and accountable [1:19:13] reporting. [1:19:15] We also [1:19:16] propose [1:19:16] a law [1:19:17] to provide [1:19:17] for a [1:19:18] citizen's [1:19:18] remedy [1:19:19] and means [1:19:20] for [1:19:20] redress [1:19:21] and [1:19:21] compensation [1:19:22] similar [1:19:23] to a [1:19:24] taxpayer [1:19:24] or a [1:19:25] class [1:19:25] action [1:19:26] suit [1:19:26] for [1:19:27] citizens [1:19:27] group [1:19:28] of [1:19:28] citizens [1:19:29] or a [1:19:29] community [1:19:30] who may [1:19:31] have [1:19:31] been [1:19:31] prejudiced [1:19:32] or [1:19:33] injured [1:19:33] by [1:19:33] defective [1:19:34] substandard [1:19:36] or [1:19:36] inadequate [1:19:37] public [1:19:38] infrastructure. [1:19:39] Mr. [1:19:40] President, [1:19:41] these [1:19:41] legislative [1:19:42] reforms [1:19:42] seek [1:19:43] to [1:19:43] dismantle [1:19:44] the [1:19:45] very [1:19:45] anatomy [1:19:45] of [1:19:46] the [1:19:46] blood [1:19:46] control [1:19:46] scam, [1:19:48] paralyzing [1:19:48] corrupt [1:19:49] actors, [1:19:50] overhauling [1:19:50] broken [1:19:51] mechanisms, [1:19:52] and [1:19:52] severing [1:19:53] the [1:19:53] workflows [1:19:54] that [1:19:54] feed [1:19:55] the [1:19:55] systemic [1:19:56] greed. [1:19:57] Ito po [1:19:58] sana [1:19:58] ang [1:19:58] legislative [1:19:59] output [1:19:59] ng [1:20:00] Kumite [1:20:00] na sa [1:20:01] ngayon [1:20:01] ay hindi [1:20:01] pa [1:20:01] natin [1:20:02] may [1:20:02] file. [1:20:03] This [1:20:03] is [1:20:03] why [1:20:04] we [1:20:04] await [1:20:05] our [1:20:05] colleague [1:20:06] signatures [1:20:06] a [1:20:07] necessary [1:20:07] step [1:20:08] to [1:20:08] move [1:20:09] this [1:20:09] reforms [1:20:10] forward. [1:20:12] Mr. [1:20:12] President, [1:20:13] in the [1:20:13] proposed [1:20:14] Parcel [1:20:14] Committee [1:20:15] report, [1:20:15] we [1:20:16] recommended [1:20:16] that [1:20:17] several [1:20:17] lawmakers [1:20:18] be [1:20:18] subjected [1:20:19] to [1:20:19] preliminary [1:20:20] investigation [1:20:21] as the [1:20:21] evidence [1:20:22] points to [1:20:22] that [1:20:23] course [1:20:23] of [1:20:23] action. [1:20:24] that [1:20:25] said, [1:20:26] we [1:20:26] acknowledge [1:20:26] that [1:20:27] the [1:20:27] passage [1:20:28] of [1:20:28] time [1:20:28] since [1:20:29] the [1:20:29] preparation [1:20:30] of [1:20:30] the [1:20:30] report [1:20:31] has [1:20:31] overtaken [1:20:32] certain [1:20:33] aspects [1:20:34] of [1:20:34] these [1:20:35] recommendations. [1:20:38] This [1:20:38] does not [1:20:39] weaken [1:20:39] the [1:20:40] report. [1:20:41] On [1:20:41] the [1:20:42] contrary, [1:20:43] subsequent [1:20:43] developments [1:20:44] have [1:20:45] reinforced [1:20:45] our [1:20:46] core [1:20:46] findings. [1:20:47] As of [1:20:49] January [1:20:50] this year, [1:20:51] four key [1:20:51] individuals who [1:20:52] appeared before the [1:20:54] Blue Ribbon Committee [1:20:55] hearings were [1:20:56] admitted to the [1:20:56] Witness Protection [1:20:57] Program. [1:20:58] These witnesses [1:21:00] include former [1:21:02] DPWH [1:21:03] Undersecretary [1:21:04] Roberto [1:21:04] Bernardo, [1:21:06] former District [1:21:06] Engineer [1:21:07] Henry Alcantara, [1:21:09] former NCR Regional [1:21:10] Director [1:21:11] Gerard Opulencia, [1:21:12] and Contractor [1:21:13] Sally [1:21:14] Santos. [1:21:15] The Executive [1:21:16] Branch has [1:21:17] ordered a [1:21:18] comprehensive [1:21:18] review of [1:21:19] plot control [1:21:20] programs [1:21:21] nationwide, [1:21:22] including the [1:21:22] creation of [1:21:23] interagency [1:21:24] task forces, [1:21:25] stricter [1:21:26] validation [1:21:26] protocols for [1:21:28] infrastructure [1:21:28] projects, [1:21:30] and enhanced [1:21:31] transparency [1:21:32] measures in [1:21:33] public works [1:21:34] spending. [1:21:36] The Office [1:21:36] of the [1:21:36] Ombudsman has [1:21:37] filed multiple [1:21:38] criminal cases [1:21:40] before the [1:21:41] Sandigan Bayan [1:21:41] against former [1:21:43] and incumbent [1:21:44] public officials, [1:21:45] contractors, [1:21:46] and private [1:21:47] individuals in [1:21:48] connection with [1:21:49] alleged anomalous [1:21:50] plot control [1:21:50] projects, [1:21:52] particularly in [1:21:53] Bulacan and [1:21:55] Oriental Mindoro. [1:21:57] The charges [1:21:58] include violations [1:21:59] of Antigrap and [1:22:01] Corrupt Practices [1:22:02] Act, as well as [1:22:03] malversation of [1:22:04] public funds through [1:22:06] falsification of [1:22:07] public documents under [1:22:08] the revised penal [1:22:09] code. [1:22:11] Parallel [1:22:11] investigations by the [1:22:12] Department of [1:22:13] Justice led to the [1:22:14] creation of special [1:22:15] panels of [1:22:16] prosecutors tasked to [1:22:18] handle at least [1:22:19] five ghost plot [1:22:20] control projects in [1:22:21] Bulacan, with [1:22:22] prosecutors [1:22:22] recommending the [1:22:24] filing of graft, [1:22:25] malversation, [1:22:26] perjury, and [1:22:27] falsification charges [1:22:28] after evaluating [1:22:30] affidavits, audit [1:22:31] findings, and [1:22:32] sworn testimonies of [1:22:34] engineers and [1:22:35] whistleblowers. [1:22:36] Several of these [1:22:37] cases have already [1:22:38] been submitted for [1:22:40] resolution, while [1:22:41] others remain under [1:22:43] preliminary [1:22:43] investigation. [1:22:45] proceedings are now [1:22:47] underway before the [1:22:48] Sandigan Bayan, which [1:22:49] has begun issuing [1:22:50] orders on preliminary [1:22:52] matters. [1:22:54] The NBI has [1:22:55] conducted fact-finding [1:22:56] operations and case [1:22:58] build-up that led to [1:22:59] the filing of [1:23:00] complaints against [1:23:02] respondents linked to [1:23:03] the flood control [1:23:04] scheme. [1:23:05] The Anti-Money [1:23:07] Laundering Council, Mr. [1:23:09] President, complemented [1:23:10] these efforts by [1:23:11] initiating financial [1:23:13] intelligence investigations. [1:23:15] It has secured [1:23:16] multiple press orders [1:23:18] from the Court of [1:23:19] Appeals, with over [1:23:21] P21.8 billion [1:23:23] in assets frozen as of [1:23:26] April 30, [1:23:27] 2026, linked to [1:23:29] irregularities in flood [1:23:31] control projects. [1:23:32] It has also preserved a [1:23:34] total of P2.5 billion [1:23:36] worth of assets. [1:23:39] Press orders have been [1:23:40] issued against numerous [1:23:42] individuals, including [1:23:43] former Speaker Martin [1:23:45] Romualdez, Business [1:23:47] Associates and [1:23:48] Corporations. [1:23:49] Sa tagal na may report [1:23:51] out, ang nangyayari na [1:23:53] po ang mga [1:23:56] rekomendasyon at [1:23:56] findings ng Kumite. [1:23:59] Now, Mr. [1:24:00] President, ako naman ang [1:24:02] dinidiin ng mga [1:24:03] kritiko. [1:24:04] Taliwas sa paulit-ulit [1:24:06] na naratibo na [1:24:08] ayaw ko daw [1:24:09] imbitahan si [1:24:10] Congressman Romualdez, [1:24:12] uuliting ko po, [1:24:13] formal na [1:24:14] inibitahan ng [1:24:15] Kumite ang [1:24:16] dating Speaker. [1:24:18] The Committee [1:24:18] extended [1:24:19] invitations to [1:24:20] Representative [1:24:21] Romualdez and [1:24:22] other members of [1:24:23] the House of [1:24:24] Representatives, [1:24:25] whose names [1:24:25] were mentioned [1:24:26] during the [1:24:27] hearings through [1:24:28] the office of [1:24:29] the current [1:24:30] Speaker, [1:24:31] in keeping [1:24:31] with established [1:24:33] inter-Chamber [1:24:34] courtesy. [1:24:35] These [1:24:36] invitations [1:24:36] were declined [1:24:37] with the [1:24:38] exception of [1:24:39] Representatives [1:24:40] Toby Tchanco [1:24:41] and Leandro [1:24:42] Leviste, [1:24:43] who voluntarily [1:24:43] appeared before [1:24:45] the Committee. [1:24:45] It must be [1:24:47] emphasized that [1:24:48] no member of [1:24:49] Congress has [1:24:50] ever been [1:24:51] subjected to [1:24:52] subpina by [1:24:53] either [1:24:54] chamber. [1:24:55] Such an [1:24:56] act would [1:24:57] risk [1:24:57] undermining [1:24:58] the balance [1:24:59] and mutual [1:25:00] respect that [1:25:01] define by [1:25:02] inter-Chamberal [1:25:02] relations. [1:25:05] Suppose we [1:25:05] follow such [1:25:06] ludicrous [1:25:06] suggestion made [1:25:08] by one of [1:25:08] our colleagues, [1:25:10] ang mangyayari [1:25:11] po si [1:25:12] dating Speaker [1:25:13] Romualdez [1:25:13] ang magiging [1:25:14] kauna-unahang [1:25:16] kaso na [1:25:17] sasalungat sa [1:25:18] umiiral na [1:25:19] inter-parliamentary [1:25:21] courtesy. [1:25:23] Ngayon, [1:25:24] kung mayroon [1:25:24] namang kapwa [1:25:24] nating senador [1:25:25] na iimbitahan [1:25:27] o isusupina [1:25:28] sa pagdinig [1:25:29] ng Kamara, [1:25:30] halimbawa, [1:25:31] maisiwan ng [1:25:32] imbitasyon [1:25:32] o supina [1:25:33] ang ating [1:25:34] kasama [1:25:35] na si [1:25:35] Sen. [1:25:36] Marculeta [1:25:36] ng House [1:25:37] Committee on [1:25:39] Justice [1:25:39] if [1:25:40] hypothetically [1:25:41] mayroong [1:25:42] investigasyon [1:25:43] sa Kamara [1:25:43] ukol sa [1:25:44] kanyang [1:25:44] deumanoy [1:25:45] manumalyang [1:25:47] Statement of [1:25:47] Contributions [1:25:48] and Expenditures [1:25:49] or SOSE. [1:25:51] Handa po ba [1:25:52] ang liderato [1:25:53] ng Senado [1:25:54] at si Sen. [1:25:56] Marculeta [1:25:56] na baliwalain [1:25:58] ang inter-parliamentary [1:26:00] cortisi [1:26:00] na umiiral [1:26:01] mulat sa [1:26:02] poll [1:26:03] sa Kongreso? [1:26:05] Maalala natin [1:26:06] noong 2024 [1:26:07] inimbitahan ng [1:26:08] Kamara [1:26:09] si Sen. [1:26:09] Ronald Bato [1:26:10] de la Rosa [1:26:11] sa pagdinig [1:26:12] ng war on drugs. [1:26:13] Gayunpaman, [1:26:15] hindi siya dumalo [1:26:15] sa payo na rin [1:26:17] ng dating [1:26:18] Sen. [1:26:18] President [1:26:19] Cheese Escudero [1:26:20] bilang [1:26:21] pagpapahalaga [1:26:22] sa inter-chamber [1:26:24] cortisi. [1:26:26] That is why [1:26:27] I always emphasize, [1:26:28] Mr. President, [1:26:29] that this is not [1:26:30] merely a matter [1:26:32] of practice. [1:26:33] It is grounded [1:26:34] in principle. [1:26:36] In his separate [1:26:37] opinion, [1:26:37] in Francisco [1:26:38] versus House [1:26:39] of Representatives, [1:26:41] GR number [1:26:41] 160-261, [1:26:43] November 10, [1:26:44] 2003, [1:26:46] Justice Dante [1:26:48] Tingha [1:26:48] explained, [1:26:49] and I quote, [1:26:49] while inter-chamber [1:26:52] cortisi [1:26:52] is not a principle [1:26:53] which has attained [1:26:55] the level [1:26:56] of a statutory [1:26:57] command, [1:26:59] it enjoys [1:27:00] a high degree [1:27:01] of obeisance [1:27:03] among the members [1:27:04] of the legislature, [1:27:06] ensuring, [1:27:07] as it does, [1:27:08] the smooth flow [1:27:10] of the legislative [1:27:12] process, [1:27:13] unquote. [1:27:14] In light of this, [1:27:15] the continued [1:27:16] observance [1:27:17] of inter-chamber [1:27:18] cortisi [1:27:19] is not optional, [1:27:20] Mr. President. [1:27:21] It is essential [1:27:22] to preserving [1:27:24] the independence, [1:27:25] integrity, [1:27:26] and proper [1:27:27] functioning [1:27:27] of each chamber. [1:27:30] May mga individual [1:27:31] rin na pilit [1:27:32] na nagpapakalat [1:27:34] ng maling [1:27:34] informasyon [1:27:35] na di umano'y [1:27:36] pinipigilan naming [1:27:37] pagsalitain [1:27:39] si former [1:27:39] Congressman Saldico. [1:27:42] Nais ko pong [1:27:42] linawin, [1:27:43] Mr. President, [1:27:44] Mr. President, [1:27:44] na inimbitahan [1:27:46] ng komite [1:27:47] at inisiyuan pa [1:27:48] nga ng [1:27:49] siokos order [1:27:50] at supina [1:27:50] si Mr. Saldico. [1:27:53] May nagmamagaling pa [1:27:54] na dapat daw [1:27:55] ay hayaan [1:27:56] si Mr. Saldico [1:27:57] na maglabas [1:27:58] ng apostille [1:27:59] affidavit [1:28:00] o lumahok [1:28:01] sa pamamagitan [1:28:02] ng Zoom [1:28:03] meeting. [1:28:05] Si Kinong Saldico [1:28:06] ay hindi [1:28:06] nagpapadala [1:28:07] ng anumang request [1:28:08] sa komite [1:28:09] para humiling [1:28:10] na accommodation [1:28:11] para sa isang [1:28:12] virtual meeting [1:28:13] mula sa loob [1:28:14] ng Philippine [1:28:15] Embassy. [1:28:17] Sa katunayan, [1:28:18] ako pa nga [1:28:18] ang unang [1:28:19] nagmongkahi [1:28:20] na maaring [1:28:21] pag-aralan [1:28:22] ang posibilidad [1:28:23] na magtungo siya [1:28:24] sa embahada [1:28:25] upang doon [1:28:27] magtesipay [1:28:27] sa pamamagitan [1:28:29] ng Zoom [1:28:29] habang under oath. [1:28:31] Subalit, [1:28:32] ang ating kasamahan [1:28:33] mula sa minorya [1:28:35] na si Senator [1:28:36] Ronald [1:28:37] Bato [1:28:37] de la Rosa [1:28:38] ang mismong [1:28:39] nagpaalaala [1:28:40] at nagbabala [1:28:41] laban [1:28:42] sa hakbang [1:28:42] na ito. [1:28:45] This caution [1:28:45] makes sense, [1:28:47] Mr. President. [1:28:48] Kung siya [1:28:48] ay nagtesipay [1:28:49] sa loob [1:28:50] ng Philippine [1:28:50] Embassy [1:28:51] at mapatunayan [1:28:52] nagsisinungaling [1:28:53] at masight [1:28:54] in contempt [1:28:55] of the [1:28:55] Blue Ribbon [1:28:56] Committee, [1:28:57] kaya ba siyang [1:28:58] ipakulong [1:28:58] o i-detain [1:29:00] ng embahada [1:29:01] sa loob [1:29:02] ni mismo [1:29:02] ng kanilang [1:29:03] gusali? [1:29:05] Dahil dito, [1:29:05] Mr. President, [1:29:06] ang tanging [1:29:07] paraan lamang [1:29:08] upang tanggapin [1:29:09] ng Komite [1:29:10] ang mapahayag [1:29:11] ni Saldico [1:29:12] ay ang pagbabalik [1:29:13] niya sa Pilipinas [1:29:14] at personal [1:29:15] na pagdalo [1:29:16] sa pagdinig. [1:29:18] Nais ko rin tugunan [1:29:19] ang mga kritiko [1:29:20] at ilang [1:29:22] gumagamit [1:29:23] ng isyo [1:29:23] ng 67 [1:29:24] Contractors [1:29:25] bilang dahilan [1:29:26] upang hindi [1:29:27] pirmahan [1:29:27] ang ating [1:29:29] Partial [1:29:29] Committee Report. [1:29:31] Diwanagin ko [1:29:31] lang pumuli, [1:29:33] hindi ko [1:29:33] kailanman [1:29:34] sinabing [1:29:34] hawak ko [1:29:35] ang listahan [1:29:36] ng mga [1:29:37] Contractors [1:29:38] na ito [1:29:38] to set [1:29:39] the record [1:29:40] straight. [1:29:41] Ang makailang [1:29:42] ulit ko [1:29:43] nang nabanggit [1:29:44] ay ang [1:29:44] impormasyong [1:29:45] ibinahagi [1:29:46] lamang [1:29:47] ng isang [1:29:47] congressman [1:29:48] walang [1:29:49] detalye [1:29:50] kung sino-sino. [1:29:52] Kung mayroon [1:29:52] mang [1:29:53] may hawak [1:29:53] ng impormasyon [1:29:55] o kung [1:29:56] kaya nilang [1:29:56] tukuyin [1:29:57] ang iba [1:29:58] pang mga [1:29:58] Contractors [1:29:59] na ito [1:30:00] katulad [1:30:01] ng ginagawa [1:30:01] ni [1:30:02] Omotsman [1:30:02] Remulla. [1:30:04] Name them. [1:30:05] If you have [1:30:05] the evidence, [1:30:07] present it. [1:30:08] If you know [1:30:08] the perpetrators, [1:30:09] expose them, [1:30:11] the committee [1:30:11] will provide [1:30:12] the platform [1:30:13] for you. [1:30:15] Our [1:30:15] recommendations [1:30:16] are by design, [1:30:18] recommendatory, [1:30:19] and conditioned [1:30:20] on independent [1:30:21] investigation. [1:30:21] Kung mali [1:30:23] ang aligasyon, [1:30:24] the process [1:30:25] clears them. [1:30:26] Kung totoo, [1:30:27] the process [1:30:28] convicts. [1:30:29] With due process [1:30:30] and accountability, [1:30:32] makukulong [1:30:32] ang dapat [1:30:33] makulong. [1:30:34] Para klaro [1:30:36] sa publiko, [1:30:37] laman [1:30:38] ng ating [1:30:38] committee report [1:30:39] ang menu [1:30:40] na mga [1:30:41] posibleng [1:30:41] kasong [1:30:42] kriminal [1:30:42] na pwedeng [1:30:43] isampa. [1:30:45] Depende [1:30:45] sa ebidensya, [1:30:47] ang mga [1:30:47] prosecutors [1:30:48] ang pipili [1:30:49] ng nararapat [1:30:50] na sakdal [1:30:51] batay [1:30:52] sa kanilang [1:30:52] sariling [1:30:53] pagsusuri [1:30:54] at pagkilala [1:30:55] sa mga [1:30:56] ebidensyang [1:30:57] na ipasana [1:30:57] at ipapasa [1:30:58] pa [1:30:59] ng [1:30:59] committee. [1:30:59] Gayun din [1:31:01] sa iba [1:31:01] pang mga [1:31:02] patunay [1:31:02] na kanilang [1:31:04] makakalap [1:31:05] sa proseso [1:31:06] ng case [1:31:07] build-up [1:31:07] o kaso [1:31:08] ng DOJ [1:31:09] o fact [1:31:10] finding [1:31:11] at preliminary [1:31:12] investigation [1:31:12] naman [1:31:13] kung sa [1:31:14] ombudsman. [1:31:15] Una, [1:31:17] malversation [1:31:18] sa ilalim [1:31:18] ng Article [1:31:19] 217 [1:31:19] ng Revised [1:31:20] Penal Code. [1:31:21] Ang [1:31:21] accountable [1:31:22] officer [1:31:23] ang pangunahing [1:31:24] may sala [1:31:24] o prinsipal [1:31:25] ngunit [1:31:26] ang mga [1:31:27] kasabwat [1:31:27] o [1:31:28] co-conspirators [1:31:29] kabilang [1:31:30] ang mga [1:31:30] non-kustodial [1:31:32] public [1:31:32] officers [1:31:33] at [1:31:33] pribadong [1:31:33] individual [1:31:34] ay maari [1:31:35] ring [1:31:35] managot [1:31:36] para sa [1:31:36] diversion [1:31:37] of funds [1:31:38] maging [1:31:38] sa [1:31:39] ghost [1:31:39] at [1:31:39] substandard [1:31:40] flood [1:31:40] control [1:31:41] projects. [1:31:42] 2. [1:31:43] Direct [1:31:43] bribery, [1:31:45] bribegiving [1:31:45] or [1:31:46] pagbibigay [1:31:47] ng [1:31:47] suhol [1:31:47] at [1:31:48] korupsyon [1:31:48] sa ilalim [1:31:49] ng [1:31:50] Revised [1:31:50] Penal [1:31:51] Code [1:31:51] Article [1:31:52] 210. [1:31:54] Ang [1:31:54] siste [1:31:54] ng [1:31:55] quid [1:31:56] pro quo [1:31:58] sa [1:31:58] flood [1:31:58] control [1:31:59] scam [1:31:59] ay [1:32:00] nasa [1:32:00] anyo [1:32:00] ng [1:32:01] pagmamanyobra [1:32:02] ng mga [1:32:03] proyekto. [1:32:03] Pagpapadali [1:32:05] ng mga [1:32:05] award, [1:32:06] pagpapabilis [1:32:07] ng paglalabas [1:32:09] ng pondo, [1:32:10] pagpirma [1:32:10] natapos [1:32:12] na [1:32:12] umano [1:32:13] ang [1:32:13] proyekto [1:32:14] o [1:32:14] ang [1:32:14] paggamit [1:32:15] ng [1:32:15] posisyon [1:32:16] upang [1:32:17] bigyan [1:32:17] ng [1:32:17] pabor [1:32:17] ang [1:32:18] mga [1:32:18] kontraktor. [1:32:20] Maari [1:32:20] ring [1:32:20] ituring [1:32:21] na [1:32:21] sabwatan [1:32:21] o [1:32:22] conspiracy [1:32:22] sa [1:32:23] direct [1:32:23] bribery. [1:32:24] 3. [1:32:25] 3. [1:32:25] 3. [1:32:25] 3. [1:32:25] Sa [1:32:26] ilalim [1:32:27] ng [1:32:27] Section [1:32:27] 3A [1:32:28] ng [1:32:28] Antigrap [1:32:29] and [1:32:29] Corrupt [1:32:29] Practices [1:32:30] Act [1:32:30] o [1:32:31] RA [1:32:31] 3019, [1:32:33] maaring [1:32:33] makasuhan [1:32:34] ang mga [1:32:34] opisyal [1:32:35] ng [1:32:35] gobyerno [1:32:35] na [1:32:36] kasabwat [1:32:36] sa [1:32:36] flood [1:32:37] control [1:32:37] anomalies [1:32:38] dahil [1:32:38] sa [1:32:39] panghikayat, [1:32:40] pag-uudyok [1:32:41] o [1:32:41] pag-impluensya [1:32:42] sa [1:32:43] isa [1:32:43] pang [1:32:43] opisyal [1:32:44] ng [1:32:44] pamahalaan [1:32:45] na [1:32:45] magsagawa [1:32:46] ng [1:32:46] gawaing [1:32:47] labag [1:32:47] sa [1:32:48] tuntunin [1:32:48] at [1:32:49] regulasyon [1:32:50] na may [1:32:50] kaugnayan [1:32:55] tulot [1:32:56] sa [1:32:56] sarili [1:32:56] na [1:32:57] mahikayat, [1:32:58] maudyukan [1:32:58] o [1:32:59] maimpluensyahan [1:33:00] na gawin [1:33:01] ang [1:33:01] nasabing [1:33:01] paglabag [1:33:02] o [1:33:02] pagkakasala. [1:33:04] Sa [1:33:04] ilalim [1:33:05] ng [1:33:05] Section [1:33:05] 3B [1:33:06] ng [1:33:06] Parehong [1:33:07] Batas, [1:33:08] krimen [1:33:08] ang [1:33:09] paghingi [1:33:09] o [1:33:10] pagsusulisit [1:33:11] ng [1:33:11] kickbacks, [1:33:12] porsyento, [1:33:13] commissions, [1:33:14] obligasyon [1:33:14] at [1:33:15] anumang [1:33:15] forma [1:33:16] ng [1:33:16] benepisyo [1:33:17] para sa [1:33:17] sarili [1:33:18] o [1:33:18] para sa [1:33:19] ibang [1:33:19] tao [1:33:20] na [1:33:20] may [1:33:21] kaugnayan [1:33:21] sa [1:33:22] anumang [1:33:22] kontrata [1:33:22] o [1:33:23] transaksyon [1:33:24] sa [1:33:24] gobyerno. [1:33:26] Sa [1:33:26] pagdinig [1:33:27] ng [1:33:27] kumite, [1:33:28] malinaw [1:33:28] itong [1:33:29] nakita [1:33:29] sa [1:33:29] pamamagitan [1:33:30] ng [1:33:30] direktang [1:33:31] ebidensya [1:33:31] o sa [1:33:32] mga [1:33:32] circumstantial [1:33:34] na [1:33:34] katibayan, [1:33:36] pati [1:33:36] na rin [1:33:36] sa [1:33:37] nailantad [1:33:38] na [1:33:38] workflow [1:33:38] at [1:33:39] delivery [1:33:39] ng [1:33:40] mga [1:33:40] kickbacks. [1:33:41] 5. [1:33:42] Section [1:33:43] 3E [1:33:43] ng [1:33:44] RA [1:33:44] 3019 [1:33:45] ukol [1:33:46] sa [1:33:46] undue [1:33:47] injury [1:33:47] o [1:33:47] unwarranted [1:33:48] benefits. [1:33:50] Nailatag [1:33:50] din [1:33:50] natin [1:33:51] ang [1:33:51] labis [1:33:52] na [1:33:52] pinsala [1:33:52] sa [1:33:53] pamahalaan [1:33:53] dulot [1:33:54] ng [1:33:54] ghost [1:33:55] at [1:33:55] substandard [1:33:56] projects. [1:33:57] Gayun [1:33:57] din [1:33:58] ang [1:33:58] pagbibigay [1:33:58] bentahe [1:33:59] o [1:33:59] pabor [1:34:00] sa [1:34:00] mga [1:34:01] private [1:34:01] parties [1:34:02] tooled [1:34:03] ng [1:34:03] mga [1:34:03] flood [1:34:03] control [1:34:04] contractors [1:34:04] mula [1:34:05] sa [1:34:05] rig [1:34:05] biddings. [1:34:07] Payboard [1:34:07] suppliers [1:34:08] at [1:34:08] manipulasyon [1:34:09] ng [1:34:09] procurement [1:34:10] services. [1:34:11] Lahat [1:34:12] ng [1:34:13] mga [1:34:13] nakibahagi [1:34:14] na [1:34:14] takers, [1:34:15] negosyators, [1:34:16] pati [1:34:16] na [1:34:16] mga [1:34:17] tumatanggap [1:34:17] ng [1:34:18] royalties, [1:34:18] padulas [1:34:19] o [1:34:19] sahod [1:34:20] sa [1:34:21] mga [1:34:21] bidding [1:34:21] ay [1:34:22] kabilang [1:34:22] dito. [1:34:23] 6. [1:34:24] plunder [1:34:25] sa ilalim [1:34:26] ng [1:34:26] Republic [1:34:26] Act [1:34:26] 7080. [1:34:29] Gayun [1:34:29] hindi tayo [1:34:29] magbibigay [1:34:30] hatol [1:34:30] kung sapat [1:34:31] na ba [1:34:32] ang [1:34:33] threshold [1:34:33] para sa [1:34:34] kaso. [1:34:35] Tungkulin [1:34:35] ng [1:34:35] Kumite [1:34:36] na [1:34:37] ilantad [1:34:37] ang [1:34:38] paulit-ulit [1:34:39] na [1:34:39] sistema [1:34:40] at [1:34:40] ang [1:34:40] malawakan [1:34:41] saklaw [1:34:41] ng [1:34:42] katiwalayang [1:34:43] ito [1:34:43] na [1:34:44] malinaw [1:34:44] na [1:34:45] hudyat [1:34:45] ng [1:34:46] pattern [1:34:47] of [1:34:47] predicate [1:34:48] offenses [1:34:48] sa [1:34:49] ilalim [1:34:49] ng [1:34:49] RA [1:34:50] 7080. [1:34:51] Ang mga [1:34:52] ebidensyang [1:34:53] nakuha [1:34:54] ay [1:34:54] isusumite [1:34:54] sa [1:34:55] Anti-Money [1:34:56] Laundering [1:34:57] Council [1:34:57] at [1:34:58] verification [1:35:01] upang [1:35:02] mabusisi [1:35:02] ng gusto. [1:35:04] 7. [1:35:05] Money [1:35:05] Laundering [1:35:06] RA [1:35:06] 9160 [1:35:07] at [1:35:08] AMLOC [1:35:08] Bank [1:35:10] Inquiry [1:35:10] Freeze [1:35:11] and [1:35:11] Forfeiture [1:35:12] Batay [1:35:13] sa [1:35:13] nakalap [1:35:13] na [1:35:13] ebidensya [1:35:14] mariing [1:35:15] nirekomendan [1:35:16] ng [1:35:16] Kumite [1:35:16] ang [1:35:17] reperals [1:35:18] para [1:35:18] sa [1:35:18] AMLOC [1:35:19] Fact [1:35:19] Finding [1:35:20] Kabilang [1:35:21] na [1:35:21] ang [1:35:22] Bank [1:35:22] Deposit [1:35:23] Pre-Order [1:35:24] Applications [1:35:25] sa [1:35:25] Court [1:35:26] of Appeals [1:35:26] at [1:35:28] ang [1:35:28] pagsusuri [1:35:29] sa mga [1:35:29] bank [1:35:29] account [1:35:30] visa [1:35:30] sa [1:35:31] visa [1:35:31] ng [1:35:31] utos [1:35:32] ng [1:35:32] Court [1:35:32] of [1:35:32] Appeals [1:35:33] 8. [1:35:35] Falsification [1:35:35] False [1:35:36] Identities [1:35:37] Procurement [1:35:38] Documents [1:35:38] Falsification [1:35:39] Ang [1:35:40] paggamit [1:35:41] ng [1:35:41] mga [1:35:41] fake [1:35:42] IDs [1:35:42] at [1:35:43] pinaking [1:35:44] dokumento [1:35:45] ay [1:35:45] tinuturing [1:35:46] ng [1:35:46] mga [1:35:46] ebidensyari [1:35:47] links [1:35:47] at [1:35:48] gagamitin [1:35:49] ng [1:35:50] mga [1:35:50] ito [1:35:50] ang mga [1:35:51] ito [1:35:51] para [1:35:51] masuri [1:35:52] ang pinagmulan [1:35:53] ng proceeds [1:35:54] ng [1:35:54] krimen [1:35:54] gayon din [1:35:55] ang paraan [1:35:56] ng pagkuhan [1:35:57] nito [1:35:57] at [1:35:58] ang mga [1:35:59] rutang [1:36:00] ginamit [1:36:00] sa money [1:36:01] laundering [1:36:02] 9. [1:36:03] ang [1:36:04] perjury [1:36:04] false [1:36:05] sworn [1:36:06] statements [1:36:06] certifications [1:36:07] sa ilalim [1:36:08] ng [1:36:09] revised [1:36:09] penal [1:36:09] code [1:36:10] article [1:36:10] 183 [1:36:11] naman [1:36:13] ay para [1:36:13] sa [1:36:13] pagpapatunay [1:36:14] ng [1:36:14] material [1:36:15] probable [1:36:16] falsehoods [1:36:18] 10. [1:36:20] bid [1:36:20] rigging [1:36:20] collusion [1:36:21] RA [1:36:22] 10667 [1:36:23] procurement [1:36:24] reform [1:36:25] RA [1:36:25] 12009 [1:36:27] ang [1:36:27] sabwatan [1:36:28] sa [1:36:28] bidding [1:36:28] ay [1:36:29] tinuturing [1:36:30] na [1:36:30] procurement [1:36:31] fraud [1:36:31] at pinsala [1:36:32] sa malayang [1:36:33] kompetisyon [1:36:34] pinupinterya [1:36:35] ng [1:36:35] competition [1:36:36] act [1:36:36] ang bid [1:36:37] rigging [1:36:38] dahil [1:36:38] pinapalitan [1:36:39] nito [1:36:39] ang fair [1:36:40] market [1:36:40] competition [1:36:41] at pinapaboran [1:36:42] lamang [1:36:43] sa mga [1:36:44] kartel [1:36:45] 11. [1:36:46] Ethics [1:36:47] conflict [1:36:48] of [1:36:48] interest [1:36:48] sa ilalim [1:36:49] RA [1:36:49] 6713 [1:36:51] at [1:36:52] salen [1:36:52] at [1:36:52] divestment [1:36:53] ang [1:36:54] conflict [1:36:54] of [1:36:54] interest [1:36:55] ang [1:36:55] nagsisilbing [1:36:56] enabling [1:36:56] layer [1:36:57] ng [1:36:57] katiwalian [1:36:58] mahalagang [1:36:59] masukol [1:37:00] ang mga [1:37:01] magkakasala [1:37:01] sa ilalim [1:37:02] ng batas [1:37:02] na ito [1:37:03] dahil [1:37:03] ang isa [1:37:04] sa mga [1:37:04] dahilan [1:37:05] ng [1:37:05] pananatili [1:37:06] at [1:37:06] paglalim [1:37:07] ng [1:37:07] flood [1:37:08] control [1:37:08] scam [1:37:09] Mr. [1:37:11] President [1:37:11] This [1:37:12] report [1:37:13] is a [1:37:14] referral [1:37:14] and [1:37:14] reform [1:37:15] package [1:37:15] simple [1:37:16] lang [1:37:17] imbisigahan [1:37:19] ng legal [1:37:20] alamin [1:37:21] kung ano [1:37:21] nangyari [1:37:22] bawiin [1:37:23] ang kaya [1:37:24] pang bawiin [1:37:25] at ayusin [1:37:26] ang batas [1:37:27] para hindi [1:37:28] doble bayad [1:37:29] ang Pilipino [1:37:30] sa buwis [1:37:31] at sa dilubyo [1:37:32] ng baha [1:37:33] As we move [1:37:34] forward [1:37:35] the committee [1:37:36] will continue [1:37:37] the work [1:37:38] it has [1:37:38] carefully [1:37:38] begun [1:37:39] in these [1:37:40] hearings [1:37:40] In the [1:37:41] resumption [1:37:41] of our [1:37:42] hearings [1:37:42] we will [1:37:43] scrutinize [1:37:43] matters [1:37:44] that need [1:37:45] further [1:37:45] scrutiny [1:37:46] Una [1:37:47] mas [1:37:48] malalim [1:37:49] at [1:37:49] mabusising [1:37:50] imbisigasyon [1:37:51] hinggil [1:37:51] sa usapin [1:37:52] ng [1:37:52] allocables [1:37:53] at [1:37:54] leadership [1:37:54] fund [1:37:54] pagtuna [1:37:56] ng [1:37:56] pansin [1:37:56] ng [1:37:57] committee [1:37:57] ang [1:37:58] mga [1:37:59] opisyal [1:37:59] na [1:37:59] dokumentong [1:38:00] ating [1:38:00] nakalap [1:38:01] mula [1:38:01] sa [1:38:02] DPWH [1:38:02] kabilang [1:38:04] kabilang [1:38:04] dito [1:38:04] ang [1:38:05] mga [1:38:05] sulat [1:38:05] galing [1:38:06] sa [1:38:06] mga [1:38:06] magbabatas [1:38:07] na [1:38:08] maaaring [1:38:08] pag-aralan [1:38:09] para magpakita [1:38:10] ng paper [1:38:10] trail [1:38:11] na naguugnay [1:38:12] sa mga [1:38:12] flood [1:38:12] control [1:38:13] projects [1:38:14] What you see [1:38:16] here [1:38:16] Mr. [1:38:16] President [1:38:17] are just [1:38:17] random [1:38:18] letters [1:38:19] from our [1:38:19] files [1:38:19] Magpapadala [1:38:23] na rin [1:38:23] tayo [1:38:24] ng [1:38:24] formal [1:38:25] na [1:38:25] imbitasyon [1:38:26] kay [1:38:26] dating [1:38:26] Speaker [1:38:27] Romualdez [1:38:27] sa pamamagitan [1:38:28] ng [1:38:28] kasalukuyang [1:38:29] Speaker [1:38:30] ng [1:38:31] Kamara [1:38:31] upang [1:38:32] bigyan [1:38:33] daan [1:38:33] ang [1:38:33] kanyang [1:38:34] panig [1:38:34] at [1:38:35] paglilinaw [1:38:35] hinggil [1:38:36] sa mga [1:38:36] aligasyong [1:38:37] ibinabato [1:38:38] laban [1:38:39] sa [1:38:39] kanya [1:38:39] If and [1:38:41] when [1:38:41] Saldico [1:38:42] is [1:38:42] returned [1:38:43] to the [1:38:43] Philippines [1:38:44] we are [1:38:44] prepared [1:38:45] to bring [1:38:45] him [1:38:46] together [1:38:47] with his [1:38:48] former [1:38:48] staff [1:38:48] including [1:38:49] former [1:38:50] members [1:38:50] of the [1:38:51] military [1:38:51] This [1:38:52] step [1:38:53] will [1:38:53] ensure [1:38:53] that [1:38:54] the [1:38:54] committee's [1:38:54] findings [1:38:55] remain [1:38:55] fair [1:38:56] balanced [1:38:57] and [1:38:57] firmly [1:38:58] grounded [1:38:58] on facts [1:38:59] and [1:38:59] evidence [1:39:00] Mr. [1:39:01] President [1:39:02] the [1:39:02] road [1:39:03] to [1:39:03] full [1:39:03] accountability [1:39:04] is [1:39:04] long [1:39:05] but [1:39:06] we [1:39:06] must [1:39:06] start [1:39:07] to [1:39:07] agree [1:39:07] somewhere [1:39:08] This [1:39:09] chairman's [1:39:10] report [1:39:10] is a [1:39:11] decisive [1:39:11] step [1:39:12] forward [1:39:12] We owe [1:39:14] it [1:39:14] to the [1:39:14] witnesses [1:39:15] who [1:39:15] spoke [1:39:16] up [1:39:16] to [1:39:17] the [1:39:17] experts [1:39:18] who [1:39:18] provided [1:39:18] evidence [1:39:19] and [1:39:19] most [1:39:20] importantly [1:39:20] to [1:39:21] the [1:39:21] millions [1:39:22] of [1:39:23] Filipinos [1:39:23] who [1:39:24] find [1:39:24] themselves [1:39:25] neck [1:39:25] deep [1:39:26] in [1:39:26] flood [1:39:27] waters [1:39:27] every [1:39:28] time [1:39:28] a [1:39:28] storm [1:39:29] hits [1:39:29] We [1:39:30] cannot [1:39:30] let [1:39:31] their [1:39:31] efforts [1:39:32] and [1:39:32] ours [1:39:33] go to [1:39:34] waste [1:39:34] Mr. [1:39:34] President [1:39:35] in the [1:39:36] interest [1:39:37] of [1:39:37] orderly [1:39:38] and [1:39:38] more [1:39:39] comprehensive [1:39:39] discussions [1:39:40] and [1:39:41] productive [1:39:41] deliberations [1:39:42] and to [1:39:42] avoid [1:39:43] redundant [1:39:44] and [1:39:44] repetitive [1:39:45] clarificatory [1:39:46] questions [1:39:46] that may [1:39:47] be [1:39:47] posited [1:39:47] by our [1:39:48] colleagues [1:39:48] I [1:39:49] reserve [1:39:50] my [1:39:50] right [1:39:51] to [1:39:51] address [1:39:52] any [1:39:53] and [1:39:53] all [1:39:54] interpellations [1:39:55] after [1:39:55] my [1:39:56] sponsorship [1:39:57] of the [1:39:57] still [1:39:58] pending [1:39:58] Parcel [1:39:59] Committee [1:40:00] Report [1:40:00] dalawa [1:40:02] na lang [1:40:02] po [1:40:03] two [1:40:03] or [1:40:03] three [1:40:04] more [1:40:04] at [1:40:05] pwede [1:40:05] nang [1:40:06] ifile [1:40:06] sa [1:40:06] bills [1:40:07] and [1:40:07] index [1:40:07] division [1:40:08] ng [1:40:08] Senado [1:40:09] ang [1:40:09] Parcel [1:40:10] Committee [1:40:10] Report [1:40:11] Until [1:40:11] then [1:40:12] Mr. [1:40:12] President [1:40:12] I [1:40:13] am [1:40:13] not [1:40:13] yet [1:40:14] yielding [1:40:14] the [1:40:15] floor [1:40:15] Thank [1:40:16] you [1:40:16] Mr. [1:40:16] President [1:40:16] Thank you [1:40:19] Thank you [1:40:31] Mr. [1:40:31] President [1:40:31] May I [1:40:35] ask [1:40:36] Senator [1:40:36] Luxon [1:40:37] if [1:40:37] he [1:40:38] wishes [1:40:39] to [1:40:39] yield [1:40:39] some [1:40:40] questions [1:40:41] by way [1:40:42] of [1:40:42] interpolation [1:40:43] I'll [1:40:49] say it [1:40:49] again [1:40:49] Mr. [1:40:50] President [1:40:50] Until [1:40:51] the [1:40:52] Parcel [1:40:52] Committee [1:40:53] Report [1:40:53] is [1:40:53] submitted [1:40:54] or [1:40:54] filed [1:40:54] with [1:40:55] the [1:40:55] bills [1:40:55] and [1:40:55] index [1:40:56] division [1:40:56] and [1:40:57] until [1:40:58] after [1:40:58] I [1:40:59] have [1:40:59] sponsored [1:40:59] the [1:41:01] Parcel [1:41:01] Committee [1:41:01] Report [1:41:02] I'm [1:41:02] not [1:41:02] yielding [1:41:03] the [1:41:03] floor [1:41:04] Mr. [1:41:06] President [1:41:07] that [1:41:07] is [1:41:07] very [1:41:08] highly [1:41:08] unusual [1:41:09] Why [1:41:10] would [1:41:11] Senator [1:41:12] Luxon [1:41:13] make [1:41:14] a [1:41:14] precondition [1:41:15] that [1:41:16] the [1:41:18] Parcel [1:41:19] Report [1:41:19] should [1:41:19] be [1:41:21] signed [1:41:21] by at [1:41:22] least [1:41:23] a [1:41:23] majority [1:41:23] of [1:41:24] its [1:41:24] members [1:41:25] before [1:41:25] he [1:41:26] can [1:41:26] yield [1:41:27] the [1:41:29] interpolation [1:41:30] Yes [1:41:31] May I [1:41:33] place [1:41:34] on [1:41:34] record [1:41:34] that [1:41:35] it [1:41:36] is [1:41:36] the [1:41:36] prerogative [1:41:37] of [1:41:37] any [1:41:37] member [1:41:38] of [1:41:38] the [1:41:38] Senate [1:41:38] to [1:41:39] yield [1:41:39] or [1:41:40] not [1:41:40] yield [1:41:40] as a [1:41:41] matter [1:41:41] of [1:41:41] fact [1:41:42] in [1:41:43] my [1:41:43] many [1:41:43] years [1:41:44] here [1:41:44] Senator [1:41:45] Miriam [1:41:46] Defensor [1:41:46] Santiago [1:41:46] and [1:41:48] I'm [1:41:48] sure [1:41:48] Senator [1:41:49] De [1:41:49] Strada [1:41:49] is [1:41:49] well [1:41:50] aware [1:41:50] of [1:41:50] this [1:41:50] who [1:41:51] was [1:41:51] with [1:41:52] me [1:41:52] Senator [1:41:53] Miriam [1:41:53] Defensor [1:41:54] Santiago [1:41:54] every [1:41:55] time [1:41:55] she [1:41:55] delivers [1:41:55] a [1:41:56] privileged [1:41:56] speech [1:41:56] does [1:41:57] not [1:41:57] entertain [1:41:57] any [1:41:58] interpolation [1:42:00] Yes [1:42:00] Mr. [1:42:00] President [1:42:01] this [1:42:01] is [1:42:01] different [1:42:03] and [1:42:04] because [1:42:04] if [1:42:04] as I [1:42:05] said [1:42:05] did [1:42:05] he [1:42:06] say [1:42:06] the [1:42:06] prerogative [1:42:07] of [1:42:07] Senator [1:42:07] Santiago [1:42:08] and [1:42:08] it [1:42:08] is [1:42:09] likewise [1:42:09] the [1:42:09] prerogative [1:42:10] of [1:42:10] Senator [1:42:10] Luxon [1:42:11] because [1:42:11] he [1:42:12] wants [1:42:12] that [1:42:13] as I [1:42:14] mentioned [1:42:15] he [1:42:15] wanted [1:42:16] that [1:42:17] his [1:42:17] partial [1:42:19] committee [1:42:20] report [1:42:20] be [1:42:20] reported [1:42:21] out [1:42:21] and [1:42:21] sponsored [1:42:22] before [1:42:23] he can [1:42:23] answer [1:42:24] any [1:42:24] questions [1:42:24] to that [1:42:25] effect [1:42:25] Mr. [1:42:26] President [1:42:26] if [1:42:26] Senator [1:42:27] Luxon [1:42:28] would [1:42:28] just [1:42:29] say [1:42:29] that [1:42:29] he [1:42:29] doesn't [1:42:30] want [1:42:30] to [1:42:30] be [1:42:30] interpolated [1:42:31] that [1:42:32] will [1:42:32] be [1:42:32] okay [1:42:32] with [1:42:32] me [1:42:33] but [1:42:33] he [1:42:33] should [1:42:33] not [1:42:34] make [1:42:34] a [1:42:35] precondition [1:42:35] that [1:42:36] his [1:42:37] unwillingness [1:42:38] is [1:42:40] conditioned [1:42:40] upon [1:42:41] whether [1:42:42] or not [1:42:42] the [1:42:43] partial [1:42:43] report [1:42:43] should [1:42:44] be [1:42:44] signed [1:42:44] by [1:42:45] the [1:42:45] majority [1:42:45] this [1:42:46] is [1:42:46] very [1:42:46] unusual [1:42:47] Mr. [1:42:47] President [1:42:48] Yes [1:42:49] we [1:42:50] respect [1:42:50] your [1:42:50] opinion [1:42:50] and [1:42:52] because [1:42:52] he [1:42:54] doesn't [1:42:55] want [1:42:55] to [1:42:55] be [1:42:55] interpolated [1:42:56] may [1:42:56] I [1:42:56] just [1:42:57] be [1:42:57] given [1:42:57] the [1:42:58] opportunity [1:42:58] to [1:42:58] make [1:42:58] manifestation [1:42:59] because [1:43:00] my [1:43:00] name [1:43:01] was [1:43:01] mentioned [1:43:02] of [1:43:03] course [1:43:03] you [1:43:04] may [1:43:04] thank [1:43:04] you [1:43:05] Mr. [1:43:05] President [1:43:05] Mr. [1:43:09] President [1:43:09] I [1:43:12] cannot [1:43:13] speak [1:43:13] for [1:43:14] our [1:43:14] colleagues [1:43:14] why [1:43:15] they [1:43:16] hesitate [1:43:16] or even [1:43:17] refuse [1:43:18] to sign [1:43:18] the [1:43:19] partial [1:43:20] report [1:43:20] he [1:43:21] allegedly [1:43:22] disseminated [1:43:23] to [1:43:24] the [1:43:24] members [1:43:25] but [1:43:26] as [1:43:26] for [1:43:26] myself [1:43:27] Mr. [1:43:29] President [1:43:29] I [1:43:31] cannot [1:43:31] sign [1:43:32] a [1:43:33] partial [1:43:34] report [1:43:35] a [1:43:35] partial [1:43:36] report [1:43:36] is [1:43:36] basically [1:43:37] unfinished [1:43:37] and [1:43:39] unfinished [1:43:39] report [1:43:40] cannot [1:43:40] be [1:43:40] assumed [1:43:41] to [1:43:41] have [1:43:41] contained [1:43:42] the [1:43:42] final [1:43:43] and [1:43:43] collective [1:43:43] judgment [1:43:44] of [1:43:44] all [1:43:44] the [1:43:44] members [1:43:45] this [1:43:45] is [1:43:46] very [1:43:46] basic [1:43:46] Mr. [1:43:47] President [1:43:47] secondly [1:43:49] I [1:43:52] did [1:43:52] not [1:43:52] heed [1:43:55] my [1:43:55] reasons [1:43:56] why [1:43:57] I [1:43:57] cannot [1:43:57] sign [1:43:58] the [1:43:59] partial [1:43:59] report [1:44:00] I [1:44:01] delivered [1:44:01] a [1:44:02] privilege [1:44:02] speech [1:44:02] some [1:44:03] time [1:44:03] ago [1:44:03] Mr. [1:44:04] President [1:44:04] outlining [1:44:06] the [1:44:06] reasons [1:44:06] therefore [1:44:07] number [1:44:08] one [1:44:08] I [1:44:08] was [1:44:09] expecting [1:44:09] the [1:44:10] chairman [1:44:12] of the [1:44:12] Blue [1:44:13] Ribbon [1:44:13] Committee [1:44:13] to [1:44:13] have [1:44:14] conducted [1:44:15] several [1:44:16] hearings [1:44:16] more [1:44:17] and in [1:44:18] those [1:44:19] hearings [1:44:19] he [1:44:19] should [1:44:19] have [1:44:20] invited [1:44:20] several [1:44:22] persons [1:44:22] whom [1:44:23] I [1:44:23] enumerated [1:44:24] in my [1:44:25] privileged [1:44:26] speech [1:44:26] namely [1:44:29] USEC [1:44:31] Adrian [1:44:33] Bersamin [1:44:33] USEC [1:44:37] Jojo [1:44:37] Cadiz [1:44:38] former [1:44:40] governor [1:44:41] Luis [1:44:43] Chavez [1:44:43] Simpson [1:44:43] former [1:44:50] speaker [1:44:51] Martin [1:44:52] Romualdez [1:44:53] former [1:44:55] congressman [1:44:55] Saldico [1:44:58] by way [1:44:59] of an [1:44:59] apostilled [1:45:00] sworn [1:45:00] statement [1:45:00] because [1:45:01] this is [1:45:02] very [1:45:02] very [1:45:02] possible [1:45:02] an [1:45:04] apostilled [1:45:05] sworn [1:45:06] statement [1:45:07] Mr. [1:45:07] President [1:45:07] as I [1:45:08] have [1:45:08] already [1:45:08] advised [1:45:09] the [1:45:10] chairman [1:45:10] of the [1:45:11] Blue [1:45:11] Ribbon [1:45:11] Committee [1:45:12] is [1:45:13] similar [1:45:13] to a [1:45:15] sworn [1:45:15] statement [1:45:16] notarized [1:45:17] by the [1:45:19] Philippine [1:45:19] Consulate [1:45:20] in any [1:45:21] part of [1:45:22] the [1:45:22] world [1:45:22] because [1:45:23] this [1:45:23] apostilled [1:45:24] manner [1:45:26] or method [1:45:29] of [1:45:30] subscription [1:45:31] was already [1:45:32] adopted by [1:45:33] the Supreme [1:45:33] Court [1:45:33] in one [1:45:35] of its [1:45:35] resolutions [1:45:35] Mr. [1:45:36] President [1:45:36] I [1:45:39] also [1:45:39] advocated [1:45:40] that the [1:45:44] 18 ex-soldiers [1:45:45] be immediately [1:45:46] be invited [1:45:47] because they [1:45:48] have so much [1:45:49] to say [1:45:49] because I [1:45:51] thought he [1:45:52] said [1:45:52] and he [1:45:53] emphasized [1:45:53] at some [1:45:54] point [1:45:54] that wherever [1:45:56] the evidence [1:45:57] is [1:45:58] the BRC [1:46:02] will be led [1:46:03] there too [1:46:04] Mr. [1:46:05] President [1:46:05] Ang sabi pa po niya [1:46:10] Mr. [1:46:10] President [1:46:11] eh [1:46:13] hindi option [1:46:16] yung [1:46:16] inter-parliamentary [1:46:18] courtesy [1:46:18] and kung ako po ba [1:46:21] tatawagin pala [1:46:23] sa mababang [1:46:24] kapulungan [1:46:24] dahil [1:46:26] meron pala [1:46:27] silang itatanong [1:46:28] tungkol sa [1:46:29] di umano [1:46:31] ay [1:46:32] mga donasyon [1:46:34] na aking [1:46:34] tinanggap [1:46:35] Mr. [1:46:38] President [1:46:38] I will [1:46:40] willingly [1:46:41] present myself [1:46:43] with or without [1:46:45] invitation [1:46:46] they decide [1:46:47] to suggest [1:46:47] to me [1:46:48] that they [1:46:48] wanted me [1:46:49] there [1:46:49] I will [1:46:49] go there [1:46:50] Mr. [1:46:50] President [1:46:50] inter-parliamentary [1:46:53] courtesy [1:46:53] is between [1:46:54] the two [1:46:54] chambers [1:46:55] Mr. [1:46:56] President [1:46:57] tayo-tayo po [1:46:59] ang pinag-uusapan [1:47:00] na maggalangan [1:47:01] doon [1:47:01] pero ang nangyari [1:47:04] Mr. [1:47:05] President [1:47:06] ang ating [1:47:08] boss [1:47:08] ang mga amo [1:47:09] natin [1:47:10] ang taong [1:47:10] bayan [1:47:11] ang hindi [1:47:12] na po [1:47:13] iginalang [1:47:13] hindi lang [1:47:15] pangbabastos [1:47:16] sa mga taong [1:47:17] bayan [1:47:18] ang ginawa [1:47:18] ng mga [1:47:19] magnanakaw [1:47:19] at kawatan [1:47:20] nitong [1:47:21] flood control [1:47:22] projects [1:47:23] igagalang [1:47:27] pa ba [1:47:27] natin [1:47:27] Mr. [1:47:28] President [1:47:28] ang mga [1:47:30] tinutungo [1:47:31] ng [1:47:31] ebidensya [1:47:32] na sangkot [1:47:32] ang mga [1:47:33] taong [1:47:33] gusto [1:47:33] nating [1:47:34] ipatawag [1:47:34] in this [1:47:37] chamber [1:47:38] gagamitin [1:47:42] pa po [1:47:42] bang [1:47:42] isang [1:47:43] dahilan [1:47:43] na kailangan [1:47:45] nating [1:47:45] maggalangan [1:47:46] kung [1:47:46] sila [1:47:47] mismo [1:47:47] ay hindi [1:47:47] na [1:47:48] iginalang [1:47:48] ang taong [1:47:49] bayan [1:47:49] na ngayon [1:47:50] ay halos [1:47:52] nagdurusa [1:47:52] na [1:47:53] tama po [1:47:54] sinabi niya [1:47:54] kanina [1:47:55] Mr. [1:47:55] President [1:47:55] talagang [1:47:56] mainit [1:47:56] ang panahon [1:47:58] ang heat [1:48:00] index [1:48:00] ay talagang [1:48:01] sumadsad [1:48:01] na talaga [1:48:02] sa pinakamainit [1:48:03] na bahagi [1:48:03] ngunit [1:48:04] ang lalong [1:48:05] nagpapainit [1:48:07] nito [1:48:07] Mr. [1:48:07] President [1:48:08] ay yung [1:48:09] kawalan [1:48:09] ng political [1:48:10] will [1:48:11] na ipagpatuloy [1:48:12] na ipagpatuloy [1:48:14] ang pagdinig [1:48:15] kahit [1:48:16] na lantaran [1:48:17] na [1:48:17] na nando [1:48:18] na talaga [1:48:18] ang mga [1:48:19] ebidensya [1:48:19] bakit po [1:48:21] hindi tayo [1:48:22] tumawag [1:48:25] ng pagdinig [1:48:26] Mr. [1:48:26] President [1:48:26] ininvita [1:48:29] si [1:48:30] Governor [1:48:30] Luis Chabit [1:48:31] Singson [1:48:31] sa pagkakalam [1:48:33] ko [1:48:33] sa mga [1:48:33] accounts [1:48:35] na nababasa [1:48:36] ko [1:48:36] he was [1:48:38] invited [1:48:38] to appear [1:48:39] on April [1:48:40] 14 [1:48:41] at binigyan [1:48:44] po siya [1:48:44] ng pagkakataon [1:48:46] hanggang [1:48:46] April 7 [1:48:47] hanggang [1:48:48] alas 5 [1:48:48] ng hapon [1:48:49] na ihay [1:48:51] ng kanyang [1:48:51] sinumpaang [1:48:52] salaysay [1:48:53] hanggang [1:48:54] alas 5 [1:48:55] ng hapon [1:48:55] Mr. [1:48:56] President [1:48:56] ngunit [1:48:58] 9.15 [1:48:59] ng umaga [1:49:01] ipinaabot [1:49:03] sa bahay [1:49:04] ng dating [1:49:05] gobernador [1:49:05] na kinakan [1:49:07] sila na po [1:49:08] ang nasabing [1:49:11] pagdinig [1:49:11] at ginamit [1:49:12] pang dahilan [1:49:13] paano po [1:49:18] nangyari yun [1:49:19] Mr. [1:49:19] President [1:49:20] e binigyan [1:49:21] siya [1:49:21] hanggang [1:49:22] alas 5 [1:49:22] ng [1:49:23] April 7 [1:49:24] na isubmit [1:49:26] sa pagkakaalam ko po [1:49:27] nandun na siya [1:49:27] sa Maynila [1:49:28] at nanananghali [1:49:30] pagkatapos [1:49:31] na itutuloy siya [1:49:32] sa opisina [1:49:33] ni Senator [1:49:33] Laxon [1:49:34] para ihain [1:49:35] yung sworn statement [1:49:36] na kanyang inihanda [1:49:37] bakit po [1:49:40] kinakailangang [1:49:41] dumating pa [1:49:43] si Saldico [1:49:43] inihintay siguro [1:49:45] ni Saldico [1:49:46] Mr. [1:49:46] President [1:49:47] ideklara lang [1:49:48] ng chairman [1:49:50] ng Blue Ribbon [1:49:51] Committee [1:49:51] i-apostil mo lang yan [1:49:53] kahit nasaan ka [1:49:54] sabang [1:49:54] anumang bansa ka [1:49:56] sa Europe [1:49:56] tatanggapin [1:49:58] ng kumityan [1:49:58] at pagkatapos [1:50:00] ihahayaan ka namin [1:50:02] sa pumagitan ng [1:50:03] Zoom [1:50:04] ay pumayag ka [1:50:05] at iimbitehan ka namin [1:50:08] para sa isang [1:50:08] special na pagdinig [1:50:09] kung yan ang gusto mo [1:50:10] yun lang siguro [1:50:12] gusto niyang marinig [1:50:13] bakit ikukondisyon pa [1:50:15] natin [1:50:15] ang pagdating niya rito [1:50:16] Mr. [1:50:17] President [1:50:17] kung [1:50:18] yung [1:50:19] apostil [1:50:19] statement [1:50:20] is sufficient [1:50:21] enough [1:50:23] for him [1:50:24] to do just that [1:50:25] anong po ba tayo rito [1:50:27] nagtatakip po ba [1:50:28] talaga tayo [1:50:29] Mr. [1:50:31] President [1:50:31] kayo po [1:50:35] ay [1:50:35] maaring [1:50:37] makapagtestigo [1:50:39] sa sasabihin ko [1:50:40] nung isang araw po [1:50:43] binuntahan ko [1:50:45] kayo sa inyong opisina [1:50:46] at [1:50:49] nabinanggit po akong [1:50:52] isang bagay na [1:50:54] maaring makatulong [1:50:58] sa atin [1:50:58] kung paano kilalanin [1:51:00] si Senator [1:51:02] Lacson [1:51:02] binanggit ko po sa inyo [1:51:05] Mr. [1:51:06] President [1:51:06] ng buong katapatan [1:51:09] nung [1:51:09] ako'y wala pa po [1:51:11] sa Kongreso [1:51:12] wala pa po [1:51:15] sa public service [1:51:17] nakilala ko po [1:51:20] si Senator [1:51:20] Lacson [1:51:21] bilang chief [1:51:24] ng PNP [1:51:24] nabanggit ko po [1:51:26] sa inyo [1:51:27] Mr. [1:51:27] President [1:51:27] sa ating pag-uusap [1:51:28] sa inyong opisina [1:51:29] mula noon [1:51:32] nung makita ko siya [1:51:33] lalong lalo na po [1:51:37] dun sa [1:51:37] episode na [1:51:38] pinatawag po niya [1:51:40] ang lahat [1:51:41] ng kinaukulan [1:51:42] na merong [1:51:43] mga nakaw [1:51:45] na sasakyan [1:51:45] mga karnap [1:51:46] na sasakyan [1:51:47] naalala ko po [1:51:49] na sinabi niya [1:51:50] Mr. [1:51:50] President [1:51:50] lahat ng mga [1:51:52] ninakaw [1:51:53] na sasakyan [1:51:54] dalhin nyo [1:51:55] rito sa [1:51:55] Camp Crame [1:51:59] no questions [1:52:00] asked [1:52:01] dahil [1:52:03] palagi po [1:52:04] akong dumadaan [1:52:05] sa EDSA [1:52:06] Mr. [1:52:07] President [1:52:07] lalong opisina [1:52:10] ko po sa [1:52:10] Ortigas [1:52:11] nakita ko pong [1:52:12] nakabuntun lahat [1:52:13] talaga [1:52:13] ang mga [1:52:14] ninakaw [1:52:15] na sasakyan [1:52:15] talaga pong [1:52:17] hinangaan ko [1:52:17] Senator [1:52:19] Langson [1:52:19] walang nakagawa nun [1:52:21] sa aking palagay [1:52:22] kung hindi sa [1:52:23] lang [1:52:23] di ba Mr. [1:52:26] President [1:52:26] sinabi ko pa [1:52:27] sa iyo [1:52:27] sayang wala [1:52:29] nakako yung [1:52:29] aking kaibigan [1:52:30] yung dating [1:52:31] mayor ng [1:52:32] Marikina [1:52:33] Bayani [1:52:33] Fernando [1:52:34] dahil [1:52:36] kinausap [1:52:36] kinausap [1:52:36] sabi ko [1:52:37] Bayani [1:52:38] alam mo [1:52:40] yung ginagawa [1:52:41] mo sa [1:52:41] Marikina [1:52:41] gusto ko [1:52:42] rin [1:52:42] at yung [1:52:43] ginagawa [1:52:44] ni [1:52:44] Chief PNP [1:52:45] Ping Lakson [1:52:47] gusto ko [1:52:47] din [1:52:48] ayaw mo ba [1:52:50] siyang [1:52:50] kausapin [1:52:51] na [1:52:51] kayong dalawa [1:52:52] tumakbo [1:52:53] si Ping Lakson [1:52:54] ang President [1:52:55] ikaw naman [1:52:56] ang Vice [1:52:57] President [1:52:57] tinuwento ko [1:52:58] sa iyo yan [1:52:59] Sir President [1:53:00] bakit ko [1:53:01] po [1:53:01] sinasabi [1:53:01] ngayon ito [1:53:03] ginong [1:53:03] Pangulo [1:53:04] nung [1:53:07] umpisa po [1:53:08] talagang [1:53:08] ganun [1:53:08] na nakita [1:53:09] ko po [1:53:09] yung [1:53:13] kanyang [1:53:14] kagustuhan [1:53:15] na maayos [1:53:17] natin [1:53:17] ang ating [1:53:18] bansa [1:53:18] yung sinasabi [1:53:20] niyang [1:53:20] track record [1:53:21] maring [1:53:21] umpisa [1:53:22] nandun po [1:53:22] yun [1:53:22] hindi ko [1:53:24] ikukwento [1:53:25] ito [1:53:25] kung hindi [1:53:25] talagang [1:53:26] hinangaan ko [1:53:26] siya [1:53:28] noon [1:53:28] pero bakit [1:53:31] ngayon po [1:53:32] ay nagkaiba [1:53:33] Mr. President [1:53:33] parang [1:53:36] yung pedestal [1:53:37] na aking [1:53:37] hinangaan [1:53:38] yung alamat [1:53:39] na nandun [1:53:40] unti-unting [1:53:41] gumuho [1:53:42] nalulungkot [1:53:45] po ako [1:53:46] at nangyari [1:53:46] yun [1:53:46] Mr. President [1:53:47] nagsabi ko [1:53:49] pa nga [1:53:50] walang [1:53:51] di ba [1:53:52] tayo [1:53:52] dapat [1:53:52] maglaban-laban [1:53:53] dito [1:53:57] ang importante [1:53:59] rito [1:53:59] yung direksyon [1:54:01] natin [1:54:01] bakit kailangan [1:54:05] akong [1:54:05] palaging [1:54:06] pinapasaringan [1:54:07] hindi naman po [1:54:11] ang aking [1:54:12] kagustuhan [1:54:12] kung sino [1:54:14] yung [1:54:16] dapat [1:54:17] nasumikat [1:54:17] o sino [1:54:18] yung dapat [1:54:18] magpasikat [1:54:19] hindi po yun [1:54:20] isa lang po [1:54:20] ang sikat [1:54:21] dito [1:54:21] Mr. President [1:54:22] ang taong [1:54:23] bayan [1:54:24] na pinagsisilbihan [1:54:25] nating lahat [1:54:26] doon po [1:54:27] natin [1:54:28] itoon [1:54:31] ang lahat [1:54:31] ng ating [1:54:32] makakaya [1:54:33] ang lahat [1:54:34] ng ating [1:54:34] energy [1:54:35] malampasan [1:54:38] sana natin [1:54:39] ang problema [1:54:39] ngunit [1:54:40] yung hindi po [1:54:42] pagganap [1:54:44] sa tungkulin [1:54:46] yun po yung [1:54:48] inahanap [1:54:49] ng tao [1:54:49] Mr. President [1:54:50] napakainit na po [1:54:52] ng panahon talaga [1:54:54] pinapag-iinit pa [1:54:55] ng paghihintay [1:54:57] nang hindi malaman [1:54:59] hanggang kailan [1:55:00] maghihintay [1:55:01] ang taong [1:55:02] bayan [1:55:02] ano po ba [1:55:04] ang dahilan [1:55:06] kung bakit [1:55:07] nagkaroon siya [1:55:07] ng privilege [1:55:08] speech [1:55:08] ngayong hapon [1:55:09] para saan [1:55:10] para saan [1:55:12] hindi po ba [1:55:14] mas maganda [1:55:15] na kumpletohin [1:55:16] natin [1:55:16] yung report [1:55:20] hindi partial [1:55:21] ano yun [1:55:22] partial final [1:55:23] o partial provisional [1:55:26] paano ko po [1:55:27] malalaman [1:55:28] Mr. President [1:55:29] kung hindi po [1:55:29] ibinigay [1:55:30] yung hard copy [1:55:31] pipilitin akong [1:55:33] basahin [1:55:34] na nandun [1:55:35] lamang sa online [1:55:36] binigyan lamang [1:55:37] kami ng isang [1:55:38] file [1:55:41] para doon [1:55:42] kuhanin namin [1:55:43] kami yung magprint [1:55:44] paano ko ba [1:55:48] ikukumpara po [1:55:49] yung ipinrint ko [1:55:50] hindi ko naman alam [1:55:51] kung sinong gumawa [1:55:52] nun [1:55:52] dahil wala nga [1:55:53] pong pirma yun [1:55:54] doon nga [1:55:54] doon lang [1:55:55] sa paraan na yun [1:55:56] nagkakaroon na po [1:55:56] ng agam-agam [1:55:57] pagkatapos eh [1:56:00] ayaw pa nilang [1:56:05] mag-interpell it [1:56:06] nasa sa kanya po yun [1:56:07] Mr. President [1:56:08] pero ako po [1:56:09] ang tanging hangaring [1:56:11] ko lamang [1:56:12] ayusin natin [1:56:13] lahat ito [1:56:15] sabi nga po niya [1:56:16] hindi makakalimutan [1:56:18] ng taong ito [1:56:18] at talaga naman po [1:56:19] hindi malilimutan [1:56:20] sapagkat ito na po [1:56:21] yata [1:56:22] ang pinakamalawak [1:56:26] na nakawan [1:56:27] sa kasaysayan [1:56:28] ng ating bansa [1:56:28] salamat po [1:56:32] Mr. President [1:56:33] Senator Irving [1:56:37] Tulpo [1:56:37] you were raising [1:56:39] your hand [1:56:39] earlier [1:56:41] go ahead [1:56:42] thank you [1:56:43] Mr. President [1:56:43] Mr. President [1:56:47] steam colleagues [1:56:48] I rise [1:56:51] to explain [1:56:51] my vote [1:56:52] in signing [1:56:52] the partial [1:56:53] committee report [1:56:53] of the blue [1:56:55] ribbon committee [1:56:56] and why [1:56:57] I did so [1:56:58] with the [1:57:00] express qualification [1:57:01] with amendments [1:57:02] I affixed [1:57:05] my signature [1:57:06] not as an [1:57:07] endorsement [1:57:08] of every [1:57:08] conclusion [1:57:09] contained therein [1:57:10] but as a [1:57:11] recognition [1:57:12] that the [1:57:15] report is [1:57:16] at best [1:57:17] incomplete [1:57:18] it reflects [1:57:20] portions of [1:57:21] the truth [1:57:22] but not [1:57:23] its full [1:57:24] measure [1:57:25] at the outset [1:57:27] Mr. President [1:57:28] let me be clear [1:57:29] I support [1:57:31] accountability [1:57:31] I support [1:57:34] the pursuit [1:57:34] of justice [1:57:35] wherever the [1:57:36] evidence leads [1:57:37] but I [1:57:39] cannot [1:57:40] in good [1:57:41] conscience [1:57:42] agree [1:57:42] with a [1:57:43] recommendation [1:57:44] that [1:57:45] narrows [1:57:45] the scope [1:57:46] of further [1:57:49] investigation [1:57:50] to not [1:57:50] only [1:57:51] a handful [1:57:52] of our [1:57:52] colleagues [1:57:53] in this [1:57:54] chamber [1:57:54] Mr. President [1:57:57] the issue [1:57:58] before us [1:57:59] is not [1:58:00] small [1:58:00] we are [1:58:02] confronted [1:58:03] with what [1:58:04] may be [1:58:04] one of the [1:58:05] most [1:58:05] staggering [1:58:06] cases of [1:58:07] misuse [1:58:08] of public [1:58:09] funds [1:58:09] in our [1:58:09] history [1:58:10] funds [1:58:11] intended [1:58:12] for flood [1:58:12] control [1:58:13] funds [1:58:14] meant to [1:58:15] protect [1:58:16] lives [1:58:16] homes [1:58:17] and [1:58:18] livelihoods [1:58:19] and yet [1:58:19] when the [1:58:20] rain came [1:58:21] our people [1:58:23] still [1:58:23] suffered [1:58:24] the question [1:58:25] is [1:58:26] where [1:58:27] did the [1:58:28] system [1:58:28] fail [1:58:29] and who [1:58:30] must [1:58:31] answer [1:58:31] why [1:58:33] then [1:58:34] does the [1:58:34] report [1:58:34] appear [1:58:35] to draw [1:58:35] the line [1:58:36] so narrowly [1:58:37] what [1:58:38] happened [1:58:39] to the [1:58:39] more [1:58:40] than [1:58:40] a dozen [1:58:40] contractors [1:58:41] who were [1:58:42] identified [1:58:43] during [1:58:43] the hearings [1:58:44] these [1:58:46] are not [1:58:46] incidental [1:58:47] actors [1:58:47] they [1:58:50] were [1:58:50] recipients [1:58:51] of [1:58:51] public [1:58:52] funds [1:58:52] they [1:58:53] implemented [1:58:54] or [1:58:55] failed [1:58:56] to [1:58:56] implement [1:58:57] these [1:58:58] critical [1:58:58] projects [1:58:59] if [1:59:00] there [1:59:01] were [1:59:01] irregularities [1:59:02] if [1:59:02] there [1:59:03] was [1:59:03] overpricing [1:59:04] substandard [1:59:05] work [1:59:06] or ghost [1:59:07] deliveries [1:59:07] surely [1:59:08] accountability [1:59:10] cannot [1:59:11] stop [1:59:11] at public [1:59:12] officials [1:59:13] alone [1:59:13] the [1:59:15] private [1:59:15] entities [1:59:16] who [1:59:16] benefited [1:59:17] must [1:59:18] be [1:59:18] subjected [1:59:18] to [1:59:19] the [1:59:19] same [1:59:20] level [1:59:20] of [1:59:21] scrutiny [1:59:21] and [1:59:23] what [1:59:23] of [1:59:24] our [1:59:24] counterparts [1:59:24] in [1:59:25] the [1:59:25] lower [1:59:25] house [1:59:26] names [1:59:27] were [1:59:28] mentioned [1:59:28] allegations [1:59:30] were [1:59:30] raised [1:59:31] certain [1:59:32] individuals [1:59:33] were tagged [1:59:33] as [1:59:34] proponents [1:59:35] or [1:59:35] facilitators [1:59:36] of [1:59:37] these [1:59:37] projects [1:59:37] yet [1:59:38] conspicuously [1:59:40] their [1:59:41] names [1:59:41] do not [1:59:42] appear [1:59:42] in the [1:59:43] recommendation [1:59:44] for [1:59:44] further [1:59:45] investigation [1:59:46] why [1:59:48] the [1:59:48] submission [1:59:49] Mr. [1:59:51] President [1:59:51] justice [1:59:53] cannot [1:59:53] be [1:59:53] selective [1:59:54] we [1:59:55] cannot [1:59:56] choose [1:59:56] whom [1:59:57] to [1:59:57] investigate [1:59:58] based [1:59:59] on [1:59:59] convenience [2:00:00] proximity [2:00:01] or [2:00:02] institutional [2:00:03] boundaries [2:00:03] the [2:00:05] constitution [2:00:05] does [2:00:06] not [2:00:06] recognize [2:00:07] such [2:00:08] distinction [2:00:08] and [2:00:10] neither [2:00:10] should [2:00:11] we [2:00:11] there [2:00:12] is [2:00:13] a [2:00:13] saying [2:00:13] Mr. [2:00:14] President [2:00:14] the [2:00:16] law [2:00:16] should [2:00:16] apply [2:00:17] to [2:00:17] all [2:00:17] otherwise [2:00:19] to [2:00:19] none [2:00:20] at [2:00:20] all [2:00:20] if [2:00:21] we [2:00:21] are [2:00:22] to [2:00:22] uphold [2:00:22] the [2:00:23] integrity [2:00:23] of [2:00:24] this [2:00:24] institution [2:00:25] then [2:00:27] we [2:00:27] must [2:00:27] ensure [2:00:28] that [2:00:29] our [2:00:29] actions [2:00:29] reflect [2:00:30] this [2:00:31] principle [2:00:31] not [2:00:32] merely [2:00:32] in [2:00:33] words [2:00:33] but [2:00:34] in [2:00:34] substance [2:00:35] my [2:00:36] amendments [2:00:36] therefore [2:00:37] are [2:00:37] guided [2:00:38] by [2:00:38] a [2:00:38] simple [2:00:38] but [2:00:39] fundamental [2:00:40] premise [2:00:40] that [2:00:42] the [2:00:42] investigation [2:00:42] must [2:00:43] be [2:00:43] broadened [2:00:44] to [2:00:44] include [2:00:45] all [2:00:45] individuals [2:00:46] public [2:00:47] officials [2:00:48] and [2:00:48] private [2:00:48] contractors [2:00:49] alike [2:00:49] against [2:00:51] whom [2:00:51] credible [2:00:51] evidence [2:00:52] has [2:00:52] been [2:00:53] presented [2:00:53] no [2:00:54] one [2:00:55] should [2:00:55] be [2:00:55] prematurely [2:00:56] excluded [2:00:57] no [2:00:58] one [2:00:59] should [2:00:59] be [2:00:59] shielded [2:01:00] this [2:01:01] is [2:01:01] not [2:01:02] about [2:01:02] casting [2:01:02] a [2:01:03] wider [2:01:03] net [2:01:03] for [2:01:04] the [2:01:04] sake [2:01:04] of [2:01:04] appearances [2:01:05] it [2:01:06] is [2:01:06] about [2:01:07] ensuring [2:01:07] that [2:01:08] the [2:01:08] process [2:01:09] is [2:01:09] fair [2:01:10] exhaustive [2:01:11] and [2:01:12] credible [2:01:12] anything [2:01:14] less [2:01:14] risk [2:01:15] undermining [2:01:16] public [2:01:16] trust [2:01:17] not [2:01:17] only [2:01:18] in [2:01:18] this [2:01:18] report [2:01:19] but [2:01:20] in [2:01:20] our [2:01:20] institution [2:01:21] as a [2:01:22] whole [2:01:23] Mr. [2:01:24] President [2:01:25] our [2:01:25] people [2:01:26] are [2:01:26] watching [2:01:27] they [2:01:28] expect [2:01:28] us [2:01:28] to [2:01:29] rise [2:01:29] above [2:01:30] partial [2:01:30] truths [2:01:30] and [2:01:31] incomplete [2:01:31] accountability [2:01:32] they [2:01:34] expect [2:01:34] us [2:01:34] to [2:01:35] pursue [2:01:35] justice [2:01:36] without [2:01:36] fear [2:01:37] or [2:01:37] favor [2:01:37] let [2:01:39] us [2:01:39] not [2:01:39] allow [2:01:39] this [2:01:40] moment [2:01:40] to [2:01:40] pass [2:01:41] as [2:01:41] another [2:01:42] instance [2:01:42] where [2:01:43] responsibility [2:01:44] is diluted [2:01:45] and [2:01:45] accountability [2:01:46] is deferred [2:01:47] let [2:01:48] us [2:01:48] instant [2:01:48] affirm [2:01:49] that [2:01:49] in [2:01:49] this [2:01:50] chamber [2:01:50] justice [2:01:51] is [2:01:51] neither [2:01:52] selective [2:01:52] nor [2:01:53] negotiable [2:01:54] for [2:01:55] this [2:01:55] reason [2:01:56] Mr. [2:01:56] President [2:01:57] I [2:01:58] signed [2:01:58] the [2:01:58] report [2:01:59] with [2:02:00] amendments [2:02:00] thank [2:02:01] you [2:02:02] Mr. [2:02:02] President [2:02:02] thank [2:02:03] you [2:02:03] Senator [2:02:03] Erwin [2:02:04] Tulpo [2:02:04] you [2:02:05] have [2:02:06] just [2:02:06] shown [2:02:06] your [2:02:07] knowledge [2:02:07] of [2:02:08] parliamentary [2:02:08] work [2:02:09] that [2:02:10] is [2:02:10] what [2:02:10] I [2:02:10] learned [2:02:10] in [2:02:11] 1992 [2:02:11] you [2:02:13] know [2:02:13] you're [2:02:15] a member [2:02:16] of the [2:02:16] committee [2:02:16] you are [2:02:18] being asked [2:02:18] to sign [2:02:19] that is [2:02:20] part of [2:02:20] your [2:02:20] work [2:02:21] you do [2:02:21] not like [2:02:22] the [2:02:22] report [2:02:22] you write [2:02:24] I [2:02:25] dissent [2:02:25] but [2:02:26] you sign [2:02:26] you have [2:02:28] your [2:02:28] doubt [2:02:29] you doubt [2:02:29] the [2:02:30] committee [2:02:30] report [2:02:30] you say [2:02:32] with [2:02:32] reservations [2:02:33] but [2:02:34] you sign [2:02:34] or you [2:02:36] want to [2:02:37] have [2:02:37] ask [2:02:37] questions [2:02:38] to the [2:02:39] reporter [2:02:39] the [2:02:40] chairman [2:02:40] you sign [2:02:41] and you [2:02:42] say [2:02:42] to [2:02:43] interpolate [2:02:43] that is [2:02:45] what I [2:02:45] learned [2:02:46] from [2:02:46] the [2:02:46] the [2:02:48] statesman [2:02:50] of the [2:02:51] 9th [2:02:51] Congress [2:02:52] you know [2:02:53] yun ang mga [2:02:54] turo nila [2:02:55] Neb Talib [2:02:55] ayaw mo yung [2:02:56] laman ng [2:02:56] report [2:02:57] e [2:02:58] member [2:02:58] kay [2:02:58] habi [2:02:59] ni Neb [2:02:59] pirmahan [2:03:01] mo [2:03:01] e di [2:03:01] sabihin mo [2:03:02] I [2:03:02] dissent [2:03:02] pero [2:03:03] mayroon [2:03:04] maka [2:03:04] because [2:03:05] that is [2:03:05] part of [2:03:06] your [2:03:06] parliamentary [2:03:07] work [2:03:07] that's [2:03:08] why [2:03:08] I [2:03:08] congratulate [2:03:09] you [2:03:09] Senator [2:03:10] Reverend [2:03:10] Tolpo [2:03:10] you [2:03:11] are [2:03:12] you [2:03:13] have [2:03:13] knowledge [2:03:14] of your [2:03:14] parliamentary [2:03:14] work [2:03:15] thank you [2:03:16] yes [2:03:16] senator [2:03:17] jingo [2:03:17] strada [2:03:18] you [2:03:18] are [2:03:18] recognized [2:03:18] marami [2:03:21] salamat [2:03:22] po [2:03:22] gano'ng [2:03:22] pangulo [2:03:22] una [2:03:23] una [2:03:24] nire [2:03:25] respeto [2:03:26] po [2:03:26] ang [2:03:26] posisyon [2:03:28] ng ating [2:03:29] kasamahan [2:03:30] senator [2:03:30] lux [2:03:30] na hindi [2:03:31] siya [2:03:31] mag [2:03:31] entertain [2:03:33] ng [2:03:34] anumang [2:03:35] katanungan [2:03:35] ng [2:03:36] mga [2:03:36] galing [2:03:37] po [2:03:37] dito [2:03:37] sa [2:03:38] ating [2:03:39] mga [2:03:39] kasamahan [2:03:39] ngunit [2:03:40] ako po [2:03:41] nakikiusap [2:03:42] sa kanya [2:03:42] tutal [2:03:43] naman [2:03:44] yung [2:03:44] tampon [2:03:45] niya [2:03:45] at [2:03:45] galit [2:03:45] niya [2:03:46] kay [2:03:46] senator [2:03:47] marculeta [2:03:48] hindi [2:03:48] naman [2:03:49] kasi [2:03:49] laki [2:03:49] ng [2:03:49] galit [2:03:50] niya [2:03:50] sakin [2:03:50] baka [2:03:51] sana [2:03:51] pwede [2:03:52] yung [2:03:52] makiusap [2:03:53] kay [2:03:53] senator [2:03:54] lakso [2:03:54] mga [2:03:55] ilang [2:03:55] katarungan [2:03:56] lang [2:03:56] po [2:03:56] kung [2:03:57] kupa [2:03:57] pwede [2:03:58] po [2:03:58] kung [2:04:00] ayaw [2:04:00] naman [2:04:00] po [2:04:00] niya [2:04:01] wala [2:04:02] naman [2:04:03] po [2:04:03] tayo [2:04:03] magagawa [2:04:03] well [2:04:22] as I [2:04:22] said [2:04:22] earlier [2:04:23] even [2:04:24] senator [2:04:25] strada [2:04:25] was [2:04:26] here [2:04:26] you [2:04:26] know [2:04:27] very [2:04:27] well [2:04:27] senator [2:04:28] Miriam [2:04:28] defensor [2:04:29] Santiago [2:04:29] even [2:04:30] in [2:04:30] very [2:04:32] important [2:04:33] bills [2:04:33] like [2:04:34] the [2:04:34] RH [2:04:35] bill [2:04:35] she [2:04:36] would [2:04:36] sponsor [2:04:37] the [2:04:37] RH [2:04:38] bill [2:04:38] she [2:04:39] will [2:04:39] deliver [2:04:39] a [2:04:39] speech [2:04:40] I [2:04:40] want [2:04:40] to [2:04:40] interpolate [2:04:41] her [2:04:41] she [2:04:41] does [2:04:42] not [2:04:42] want [2:04:42] to [2:04:42] be [2:04:42] interpolated [2:04:43] she [2:04:45] refuses [2:04:45] and [2:04:46] sits [2:04:46] down [2:04:46] that's [2:04:49] why [2:04:49] senator [2:04:50] would [2:04:51] just [2:04:51] play [2:04:52] his [2:04:52] bejeweled [2:04:52] every [2:04:53] time [2:04:53] she [2:04:53] is [2:04:53] delivering [2:04:54] his [2:04:54] speech [2:04:54] because [2:04:54] anyway [2:04:58] I'm [2:04:59] just [2:04:59] trivia [2:05:01] trivia [2:05:02] all [2:05:03] right [2:05:04] the [2:05:04] majority [2:05:05] leader [2:05:05] yes [2:05:07] to [2:05:08] avail [2:05:08] of [2:05:08] the [2:05:09] privilege [2:05:09] hour [2:05:09] is [2:05:10] next [2:05:11] to [2:05:11] deliver [2:05:11] is [2:05:11] senator [2:05:12] Erwin [2:05:12] Tulfo [2:05:12] I move [2:05:13] that [2:05:13] he [2:05:13] be [2:05:13] recognized [2:05:14] senator [2:05:15] Erwin [2:05:15] Tulfo [2:05:15] was [2:05:15] recognized [2:05:16] thank [2:05:17] you [2:05:17] mr. [2:05:17] president [2:05:18] mr. [2:05:19] president [2:05:19] my [2:05:19] dear [2:05:19] colleagues [2:05:20] I [2:05:20] rise [2:05:20] in [2:05:20] a [2:05:20] matter [2:05:21] of [2:05:21] personal [2:05:21] and [2:05:22] collective [2:05:23] privilege [2:05:23] I [2:05:25] am [2:05:25] deeply [2:05:26] concerned [2:05:27] over [2:05:27] the [2:05:27] alleged [2:05:28] recent [2:05:28] attacks [2:05:29] or [2:05:29] attack [2:05:30] on [2:05:30] an [2:05:31] oil [2:05:31] tanker [2:05:31] owned [2:05:32] by [2:05:32] the [2:05:32] Abu [2:05:32] Dhabi [2:05:33] National [2:05:34] Oil [2:05:34] Company [2:05:35] or [2:05:35] Ad [2:05:35] Noc [2:05:36] in [2:05:36] the [2:05:36] Strait [2:05:37] of [2:05:37] Hormuz [2:05:37] this [2:05:38] past [2:05:38] Monday [2:05:39] especially [2:05:40] with [2:05:41] 24 [2:05:41] Filipino [2:05:42] seafarers [2:05:42] on [2:05:43] board [2:05:43] a few [2:05:45] days [2:05:45] ago [2:05:45] two [2:05:46] vessels [2:05:46] with [2:05:46] 15 [2:05:47] Filipino [2:05:47] crew [2:05:48] members [2:05:48] were [2:05:49] fired [2:05:49] upon [2:05:50] the [2:05:50] same [2:05:50] area [2:05:51] thankfully [2:05:52] all [2:05:54] of them [2:05:54] were [2:05:54] unharmed [2:05:55] yet [2:05:56] this [2:05:57] incidence [2:05:57] highlight [2:05:58] the [2:05:58] ongoing [2:05:59] risk [2:05:59] of [2:06:00] maritime [2:06:00] workers [2:06:01] in a [2:06:01] volatile [2:06:02] region [2:06:02] with [2:06:03] the [2:06:03] conflict [2:06:04] between [2:06:04] Iran [2:06:05] and [2:06:05] the [2:06:05] United [2:06:05] States [2:06:06] affecting [2:06:07] one of [2:06:07] the [2:06:07] world's [2:06:08] most [2:06:08] critical [2:06:08] waterways [2:06:09] we [2:06:10] must be [2:06:11] unwavering [2:06:12] in our [2:06:12] commitment [2:06:13] to [2:06:13] protecting [2:06:14] innocent [2:06:15] lives [2:06:15] the [2:06:17] safety [2:06:17] of [2:06:17] seafarers [2:06:18] is critical [2:06:19] reinforced [2:06:20] by [2:06:20] UN [2:06:20] Security [2:06:21] Council [2:06:21] Resolution [2:06:22] number [2:06:23] 2817 [2:06:24] which [2:06:25] emphasizes [2:06:26] freedom [2:06:27] of navigation [2:06:28] in conflict [2:06:28] zones [2:06:29] the [2:06:30] International [2:06:30] Maritime [2:06:31] Organization [2:06:32] or [2:06:32] IMO [2:06:33] supports [2:06:34] this [2:06:34] with [2:06:35] the [2:06:35] call [2:06:35] for [2:06:36] coordinated [2:06:36] international [2:06:38] approach [2:06:38] to [2:06:39] safeguard [2:06:39] seafarers [2:06:40] caught [2:06:41] in the [2:06:41] conflict [2:06:42] with [2:06:43] the [2:06:43] safety [2:06:44] of our [2:06:44] seafarers [2:06:45] a priority [2:06:46] above [2:06:46] all else [2:06:47] we [2:06:47] call [2:06:48] on [2:06:48] the [2:06:48] Iranian [2:06:48] authorities [2:06:49] to [2:06:50] refrain [2:06:50] from [2:06:50] any [2:06:51] actions [2:06:51] that [2:06:52] may [2:06:52] threaten [2:06:52] merchant [2:06:53] vessels [2:06:53] and [2:06:54] endanger [2:06:55] innocent [2:06:55] civilian [2:06:56] lives [2:06:56] we [2:06:58] also [2:06:58] acknowledge [2:06:59] and [2:06:59] appreciate [2:06:59] previous [2:07:00] instances [2:07:00] where [2:07:01] the [2:07:01] Iranian [2:07:02] government [2:07:03] allowed [2:07:03] the [2:07:04] safe [2:07:04] passage [2:07:04] of [2:07:05] vessels [2:07:05] carrying [2:07:06] Filipino [2:07:06] crews [2:07:07] to [2:07:08] the [2:07:08] Strait [2:07:08] of [2:07:09] Hormuz [2:07:09] such [2:07:11] actions [2:07:11] Mr. [2:07:12] President [2:07:12] reflect [2:07:13] a [2:07:13] recognition [2:07:14] of [2:07:14] our [2:07:14] shared [2:07:15] humanity [2:07:16] and [2:07:16] the [2:07:17] importance [2:07:17] of [2:07:17] safeguarding [2:07:18] lives [2:07:19] regardless [2:07:19] of [2:07:20] nationality [2:07:20] we [2:07:21] therefore [2:07:22] urge [2:07:23] all [2:07:24] parties [2:07:24] to [2:07:25] exercise [2:07:25] maximum [2:07:26] restraint [2:07:27] protect [2:07:28] civilians [2:07:29] and [2:07:29] merchant [2:07:30] vessels [2:07:30] uphold [2:07:31] international [2:07:32] law [2:07:32] and [2:07:33] work [2:07:33] toward [2:07:34] the [2:07:34] escalation [2:07:35] of [2:07:36] the [2:07:36] conflict [2:07:36] in [2:07:37] the [2:07:37] region [2:07:37] the [2:07:38] Philippines [2:07:39] Mr. [2:07:40] President [2:07:40] remains [2:07:41] steadfast [2:07:42] in [2:07:43] its [2:07:43] commitment [2:07:43] to [2:07:44] the [2:07:44] safety [2:07:45] of [2:07:45] its [2:07:45] citizens [2:07:46] and [2:07:46] to [2:07:46] the [2:07:47] peaceful [2:07:47] resolution [2:07:48] of [2:07:48] conflicts [2:07:48] through [2:07:49] dialogue [2:07:50] and [2:07:50] cooperation [2:07:51] Thank you Mr. President [2:08:01] Mr. President [2:08:02] I [2:08:02] move that [2:08:03] the [2:08:03] speech [2:08:04] of [2:08:04] our [2:08:04] distinguished [2:08:05] colleague [2:08:05] be [2:08:05] referred [2:08:05] to [2:08:06] the [2:08:06] committee [2:08:06] on [2:08:06] foreign [2:08:06] relations [2:08:07] any [2:08:11] objection [2:08:11] eating [2:08:12] none [2:08:12] so [2:08:12] sorry [2:08:13] for [2:08:13] thank you [2:08:14] very much [2:08:14] Mr. President [2:08:15] may I ask for a minute [2:08:16] suspension [2:08:17] you want the [2:08:24] suspension [2:08:25] it's okay [2:08:26] we can [2:08:27] proceed [2:08:27] we can [2:08:28] proceed to [2:08:29] admin matters [2:08:30] Mr. President [2:08:30] we have some [2:08:30] admin matters [2:08:31] with us [2:08:31] before [2:08:32] we do a [2:08:32] suspension [2:08:33] Mr. President [2:08:35] I move that [2:08:35] we change [2:08:35] the primary [2:08:36] committee [2:08:36] referral [2:08:37] to the [2:08:37] following [2:08:37] bills [2:08:37] and the [2:08:38] committee [2:08:38] on [2:08:38] rules [2:08:38] the [2:08:39] committee [2:08:39] on [2:08:39] health [2:08:39] and [2:08:39] demography [2:08:40] Senate [2:08:41] number [2:08:41] one is [2:08:41] Senate [2:08:42] bill [2:08:42] number [2:08:42] 1783 [2:08:43] Tigaon [2:08:44] Mother and [2:08:45] Child [2:08:45] General [2:08:46] Hospital [2:08:46] in [2:08:46] Camilina Sur [2:08:47] and Senate [2:08:48] Bill [2:08:48] number [2:08:48] 1790 [2:08:49] which is the [2:08:49] Batangas [2:08:50] Tourism [2:08:50] General [2:08:51] Hospital [2:08:51] I so [2:08:52] I so [2:08:52] move [2:08:52] Mr. [2:08:53] President [2:08:53] Any [2:08:54] objection [2:08:55] hearing [2:08:56] none [2:08:56] so [2:08:57] moved [2:08:58] just for [2:09:00] the [2:09:00] record [2:09:00] just in [2:09:01] case [2:09:02] you know [2:09:02] there are [2:09:02] scholars [2:09:03] who are [2:09:03] watching [2:09:04] especially [2:09:05] students [2:09:06] who are [2:09:07] watching [2:09:08] the [2:09:08] live [2:09:09] stream [2:09:09] of the [2:09:09] Senate [2:09:10] the [2:09:11] reason [2:09:11] there [2:09:11] are [2:09:12] bills [2:09:12] that [2:09:12] the [2:09:13] majority [2:09:13] leader [2:09:14] are [2:09:14] transferring [2:09:14] from [2:09:15] the [2:09:15] committee [2:09:15] on [2:09:16] rules [2:09:16] to [2:09:16] let's [2:09:17] say [2:09:17] the [2:09:17] health [2:09:18] or [2:09:18] local [2:09:18] government [2:09:19] is [2:09:20] because [2:09:20] when [2:09:20] these [2:09:20] bills [2:09:21] were [2:09:21] filed [2:09:21] these [2:09:22] bills [2:09:22] were [2:09:22] of [2:09:24] local [2:09:24] application [2:09:25] yes [2:09:25] and [2:09:26] when [2:09:26] there [2:09:26] are [2:09:27] bills [2:09:27] of [2:09:27] local [2:09:27] application [2:09:28] filed [2:09:29] by [2:09:29] a [2:09:30] senator [2:09:30] it [2:09:31] is [2:09:31] usually [2:09:32] referred [2:09:33] first [2:09:33] to the [2:09:33] committee [2:09:34] on [2:09:34] rules [2:09:34] because [2:09:35] we [2:09:35] will [2:09:35] have [2:09:35] to [2:09:36] await [2:09:36] the [2:09:36] local [2:09:38] version [2:09:38] or [2:09:38] the [2:09:39] version [2:09:40] from [2:09:40] the [2:09:40] house [2:09:40] and [2:09:41] once [2:09:41] we [2:09:41] are [2:09:41] informed [2:09:42] and [2:09:42] we [2:09:42] are [2:09:43] in [2:09:43] receipt [2:09:44] that [2:09:44] is [2:09:44] the [2:09:45] time [2:09:45] that [2:09:45] we [2:09:45] may [2:09:46] now [2:09:46] refer [2:09:47] that [2:09:47] particular [2:09:48] Senate [2:09:48] bill [2:09:48] to [2:09:49] the [2:09:50] official [2:09:53] committee [2:09:54] that [2:09:55] will [2:09:55] handle [2:09:55] the [2:09:56] bill [2:09:56] so [2:09:56] thank [2:09:57] you [2:09:57] for [2:09:57] that [2:09:57] you [2:09:58] may [2:10:00] proceed [2:10:00] I [2:10:01] move [2:10:01] that [2:10:02] the [2:10:03] Senate [2:10:03] president [2:10:04] to [2:10:04] designate [2:10:04] the [2:10:05] Senate [2:10:05] conference [2:10:05] committee [2:10:06] on [2:10:07] the [2:10:07] disagreeing [2:10:07] provisions [2:10:08] on [2:10:08] Senate [2:10:08] bill [2:10:09] number [2:10:09] 1981 [2:10:10] and [2:10:11] House [2:10:11] bill [2:10:11] number [2:10:11] 4744 [2:10:12] these [2:10:13] are [2:10:13] the [2:10:14] bills [2:10:14] on [2:10:14] the [2:10:14] private [2:10:15] basic [2:10:15] education [2:10:15] vouchers [2:10:16] assistance [2:10:16] act [2:10:17] hearing [2:10:20] none [2:10:21] the [2:10:22] following [2:10:23] are [2:10:24] designated [2:10:25] conferries [2:10:25] on [2:10:25] the [2:10:26] disagreeing [2:10:26] provisions [2:10:27] of [2:10:27] Senate [2:10:27] bill [2:10:28] 1981 [2:10:28] and [2:10:29] House [2:10:29] bill [2:10:29] 4744 [2:10:30] the [2:10:32] chairperson [2:10:32] is [2:10:33] Senator [2:10:33] Obama [2:10:33] Kino [2:10:34] members [2:10:35] Senator [2:10:36] Shervin [2:10:37] Gatchalian [2:10:37] and [2:10:38] Senator [2:10:39] Camille [2:10:39] Villar [2:10:39] on the [2:10:40] part of [2:10:41] the [2:10:41] minority [2:10:41] Senator [2:10:42] Joel [2:10:42] Villanema [2:10:43] and [2:10:43] Senator [2:10:44] Alan [2:10:45] Peter [2:10:45] Cayetano [2:10:45] so [2:10:47] designated [2:10:47] thank [2:10:48] you very [2:10:48] much [2:10:48] Mr. [2:10:48] President [2:10:49] finally [2:10:51] on the [2:10:51] admin [2:10:51] matters [2:10:52] with [2:10:53] the [2:10:53] consent [2:10:53] of [2:10:53] the [2:10:54] body [2:10:54] to [2:10:54] move [2:10:54] and [2:10:55] change [2:10:55] the [2:10:56] primary [2:10:56] committee [2:10:56] referral [2:10:57] of [2:10:57] Senate [2:10:58] Bill [2:10:58] number [2:10:58] 266 [2:10:59] an act [2:10:59] to lower [2:11:00] the price [2:11:00] of [2:11:00] electricity [2:11:01] by [2:11:01] exempting [2:11:01] its [2:11:01] sale [2:11:02] by [2:11:02] generation [2:11:03] transmission [2:11:03] and [2:11:04] distribution [2:11:04] companies [2:11:05] and [2:11:05] electricity [2:11:05] cooperatives [2:11:07] from [2:11:07] the [2:11:08] imposition [2:11:08] of [2:11:08] value [2:11:08] added [2:11:09] tax [2:11:09] from [2:11:10] the [2:11:10] committee [2:11:11] on [2:11:11] energy [2:11:11] to [2:11:12] the [2:11:12] committee [2:11:12] on [2:11:12] ways [2:11:13] and [2:11:13] means [2:11:13] and [2:11:14] to [2:11:14] make [2:11:14] instead [2:11:14] the [2:11:14] secondary [2:11:15] referral [2:11:15] to [2:11:16] the [2:11:16] committee [2:11:16] on [2:11:16] energy [2:11:17] so [2:11:17] this [2:11:19] is [2:11:19] a [2:11:20] reversal [2:11:20] any [2:11:21] objection [2:11:21] hearing [2:11:22] none [2:11:23] so [2:11:23] moved [2:11:25] thank [2:11:25] you [2:11:25] anyway [2:11:26] Mr. [2:11:26] President [2:11:26] this [2:11:27] is [2:11:27] the [2:11:27] consent [2:11:27] of [2:11:28] both [2:11:28] chairmen [2:11:28] chairpersons [2:11:29] Senator [2:11:32] Pia [2:11:33] Kaitano [2:11:33] she's [2:11:34] agreeing [2:11:35] with [2:11:35] herself [2:11:35] both [2:11:36] of [2:11:37] her [2:11:37] committees [2:11:37] so [2:11:38] she [2:11:38] will [2:11:38] agree [2:11:39] to [2:11:39] herself [2:11:39] thank [2:11:42] you [2:11:42] Mr. [2:11:42] President [2:11:42] with [2:11:43] that [2:11:43] Mr. [2:11:43] President [2:11:44] we [2:11:45] because [2:11:45] some [2:11:46] of [2:11:46] our [2:11:46] colleagues [2:11:46] had [2:11:46] left [2:11:47] and [2:11:47] they [2:11:48] were [2:11:48] supposed [2:11:49] to [2:11:49] interpolate [2:11:49] certain [2:11:51] measures [2:11:51] they're [2:11:52] not [2:11:52] here [2:11:52] for [2:11:53] the [2:11:53] day [2:11:53] Mr. [2:11:53] President [2:11:54] I [2:11:54] move [2:11:54] that [2:11:54] we [2:11:54] adjourn [2:11:57] session [2:11:58] unless [2:11:59] you [2:11:59] want [2:11:59] a [2:12:00] one [2:12:00] minute [2:12:00] Senate [2:12:01] suspension [2:12:02] Mr. [2:12:02] President [2:12:02] if [2:12:03] not [2:12:03] we [2:12:03] can [2:12:03] adjourn [2:12:04] I [2:12:04] will [2:12:06] agree [2:12:06] with [2:12:06] your [2:12:07] motion [2:12:07] yeah [2:12:09] but [2:12:09] just [2:12:09] before [2:12:10] we [2:12:10] do [2:12:10] that [2:12:11] Mr. [2:12:11] President [2:12:11] we [2:12:11] recognize [2:12:12] Senator [2:12:12] Pia [2:12:12] Kaitano [2:12:13] Senator [2:12:13] Pia [2:12:14] Kaitano [2:12:14] is [2:12:14] recognized [2:12:15] thank you [2:12:16] Mr. [2:12:16] President [2:12:17] not [2:12:17] just [2:12:17] to [2:12:18] put [2:12:18] on [2:12:18] record [2:12:18] the [2:12:18] reason [2:12:19] for [2:12:19] the [2:12:19] change [2:12:21] of [2:12:21] referral [2:12:21] is [2:12:21] because [2:12:22] in my [2:12:24] privilege [2:12:24] speech [2:12:25] yesterday [2:12:25] I [2:12:25] mentioned [2:12:26] that [2:12:26] the [2:12:26] hearing [2:12:27] that [2:12:28] I [2:12:28] would [2:12:28] like [2:12:28] to [2:12:29] call [2:12:29] would [2:12:29] be [2:12:29] to [2:12:30] help [2:12:30] people [2:12:30] understand [2:12:31] what [2:12:31] are [2:12:31] those [2:12:32] different [2:12:32] charges [2:12:32] and [2:12:33] included [2:12:33] in [2:12:34] the [2:12:34] charges [2:12:34] is [2:12:34] tax [2:12:35] so [2:12:35] upon [2:12:36] talking [2:12:36] with [2:12:36] our [2:12:37] secretariat [2:12:38] and [2:12:38] legal [2:12:39] advisors [2:12:41] they [2:12:43] would fall [2:12:43] either [2:12:43] in the [2:12:44] committee [2:12:44] on energy [2:12:44] or [2:12:45] ways [2:12:45] and [2:12:45] means [2:12:46] very [2:12:47] strict [2:12:47] standards [2:12:48] of [2:12:48] tax [2:12:49] measures [2:12:50] so [2:12:50] it's [2:12:50] better [2:12:51] in [2:12:51] ways [2:12:51] and [2:12:52] means [2:12:52] so [2:12:53] when we [2:12:54] receive a [2:12:54] similar [2:12:54] bill [2:12:55] from [2:12:55] the [2:12:55] house [2:12:56] we can [2:12:58] proceed [2:12:59] we can only [2:13:01] take up [2:13:01] tax [2:13:02] measures [2:13:02] if the [2:13:03] primary [2:13:04] referral [2:13:04] is to [2:13:04] ways [2:13:04] and [2:13:05] means [2:13:05] just [2:13:05] just [2:13:05] for [2:13:05] the [2:13:05] record [2:13:06] Mr. [2:13:06] President [2:13:06] yes [2:13:08] you're [2:13:12] just [2:13:12] explaining [2:13:12] why [2:13:13] we [2:13:13] did [2:13:13] this [2:13:13] and [2:13:14] we [2:13:14] have [2:13:14] done [2:13:14] so [2:13:15] with [2:13:15] five [2:13:16] other [2:13:17] measures [2:13:18] yes [2:13:18] only [2:13:19] one [2:13:19] there [2:13:21] were [2:13:21] previously [2:13:22] their [2:13:23] bills [2:13:23] referred [2:13:24] to [2:13:24] different [2:13:24] committees [2:13:25] both [2:13:25] regarding [2:13:26] taxation [2:13:26] and [2:13:26] energy [2:13:27] so [2:13:27] and [2:13:30] while you're [2:13:30] here [2:13:31] just for the [2:13:31] record [2:13:31] earlier [2:13:32] there are [2:13:33] some [2:13:33] newcomers [2:13:33] here [2:13:34] in the [2:13:34] Senate [2:13:34] that [2:13:34] didn't [2:13:35] know [2:13:35] during [2:13:36] those [2:13:36] times [2:13:37] that [2:13:37] Senator [2:13:37] Miriam [2:13:38] Defensor [2:13:38] Santiago [2:13:39] refuses [2:13:39] to be [2:13:40] interpellated [2:13:40] she [2:13:41] refers [2:13:41] to [2:13:41] Senator [2:13:42] Pia [2:13:42] Cayetano [2:13:43] to [2:13:43] answer [2:13:43] the [2:13:43] interpellations [2:13:44] correct [2:13:46] I [2:13:47] was not [2:13:48] here [2:13:48] but I [2:13:48] was [2:13:49] listening [2:13:49] I [2:13:49] heard [2:13:50] the [2:13:50] Senate [2:13:50] President [2:13:51] say [2:13:51] that [2:13:52] we [2:13:53] are [2:13:53] because [2:13:54] of [2:13:55] Senator [2:13:55] Miriam [2:13:56] refusal [2:13:57] on a [2:13:57] number [2:13:58] of [2:13:58] occasions [2:13:58] but [2:13:59] always [2:14:00] referring [2:14:00] to [2:14:00] Senator [2:14:01] Pia [2:14:01] Cayetano [2:14:02] to answer [2:14:02] the [2:14:02] questions [2:14:03] from [2:14:03] Senator [2:14:04] Enrile [2:14:04] and [2:14:04] myself [2:14:05] thank [2:14:07] you [2:14:07] I [2:14:07] didn't [2:14:08] realize [2:14:08] that [2:14:08] that's [2:14:09] what [2:14:09] the [2:14:09] incidents [2:14:10] you [2:14:10] were [2:14:10] referring [2:14:11] to [2:14:11] yes [2:14:14] indeed [2:14:15] thank [2:14:15] you [2:14:16] I [2:14:18] also [2:14:18] remember [2:14:18] that [2:14:18] because [2:14:19] I [2:14:19] came [2:14:19] when [2:14:19] I [2:14:19] came [2:14:20] in [2:14:20] in [2:14:20] 2007 [2:14:20] until [2:14:22] 2010 [2:14:22] may [2:14:22] three [2:14:23] years [2:14:23] pa [2:14:23] si [2:14:23] Senator [2:14:23] Miriam [2:14:24] ganun [2:14:24] po [2:14:25] she [2:14:25] will [2:14:25] say [2:14:26] I [2:14:26] will [2:14:27] not [2:14:27] I [2:14:27] will [2:14:28] not [2:14:29] entertain [2:14:29] I [2:14:30] will [2:14:30] not [2:14:30] entertain [2:14:31] interpellation [2:14:34] or I [2:14:34] will [2:14:34] not [2:14:34] entertain [2:14:35] interpellation [2:14:37] ganun po [2:14:38] anana [2:14:38] ko po [2:14:38] yun [2:14:39] so [2:14:40] Mr. [2:14:40] President [2:14:40] do that [2:14:40] thank you [2:14:42] was that [2:14:42] Mr. [2:14:42] President [2:14:43] will be adjourned [2:14:44] session [2:14:44] until three o'clock [2:14:45] in the afternoon [2:14:46] Wednesday [2:14:46] May 6 [2:14:47] 2026 [2:14:48] Any objection [2:14:48] hearing [2:14:50] none [2:14:50] session [2:14:50] is adjourned [2:14:51] until three o'clock [2:14:52] the afternoon [2:14:52] of Wednesday [2:14:53] the 6th [2:14:54] of May [2:14:54] 2026 [2:14:56] Marami [2:14:57] salamat [2:14:57] Mr. [2:14:57] President [2:14:58] thank you

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