Francis Escudero Podcast Transcript

Francis Escudero, podcast interview transcript, part 1

INQUIRER.net First Posted 11:36:00 02/26/2007

Editor's Note: What follows is the first part of a preliminary transcript of the Eleksyon2007 podcast interview with senatorial candidate Francis Escudero. Joey Alarilla: Our guest for this podcast is Congressman Francis Escudero, Escudero is running for Senator under the Genuine Opposition slate. Good evening, Chiz Escudero. Francis Escudero : Good evening and it's an honor to be here. Joey Alarilla: Our first question is from INQUIRER.net editor in chief, JV Rufino. JV Rufino : Good evening, Congressman. Francis Escudero : Hi, good evening, JV. JV Rufino : The Philippines has been chugging along economically, not really soaring as some of its Southeast Asian neighbors. What do you think are the three most important problems preventing the Philippines from feeding all its people, sending all its kids to school, and giving them all the basic needs for a decent life? Francis Escudero : Hmm. First, insofar as being able to attract enough business to be able to provide enough jobs to pay for whatever basic needs they might want to have including education, food, clothing and housing... The number one problem insofar as that is concerned is power cost. Electricity simply costs… The cost of electricity is too high in our country in order to attract enough investments, to be able to provide

jobs for our citizens, perhaps enable them to buy whatever it is they want -- to educate their children. All of the surveys they've conducted either here or abroad would point to the cost of power as the number one culprit. It’s not even instability. It’s not even the unions that we have here. It's not even the strikes that usually occur. It is power and that is what we should resolve in so far as attracting business is concerned. Secondly, insofar as the economy is concerned, especially spending in social services including education and health, it’s a question of budgetary prioritization and allocation. Under the Constitution, highest budgetary priority must go and must be given to education; however, they have included some items which you call off-budget items to the budget. For example, the internal revenue allotment, and, secondly, debt servicing. These two big ticket items actually have a bigger allocation in our budget than education. And they were able to circumvent that particular costly provision by simply saying that these are off-budget items -- automatically appropriated and need not pass through the budgetary process in Congress both in the House and in the Senate. Third, perhaps, insofar as that particular issue or problem is concerned would be corruption. The Philippines right now is ranked as one of the highest, not only in Southeast Asia, not only in East Asia, but also in the world in so far as the corruption index is concerned. Transparency International have been logging or ranking the Philippines at a increasing rate. Compared to other countries, it should improve insofar as [the] battle against corruption is concerned. For example, according to the recent data of the Department of Finance, we are losing approximately 200 billion pesos via corruption insofar as the capital outlay of government is concerned, approximately 70 billions of pesos in so far as the MOE and other expenses of government are concerned and about 180 billion from smuggling. Total all of these and you could construct “x” number of schools, “x” number of streets, “x” number of hospitals and other potential social

services in government should be able to afford if only we could curb if not minimize or totally eradicate corruption. JV Rufino : As a senator, how are you going to solve these problems? Francis Escudero : You can only legislate. As a senator, as a member of congress, you can only legislate. I'm of the firm belief, na karamihan sa mga problem natin, hindi na bagong batas ang kailangan. One of my colleagues in Congress has this anecdote that he always tells us. When he first ran for Congress, he did not file a single bill while he was a member of Congress for three years. When he was seeking reelection, his constituents asked him, “bakit ka namin iboboto ulit ni isang bill wala kang finile? Mambabatas ka pa man din.” Ang sagot n'ya simple lang, pero masakit, sabi nya: “Kayo naman, wag 'nyo ko hanapan ng batas. Sampung batas lang ang ibinigay sa 'yo ng Diyos di n'yo pa sinusunod. Bakit ko pa dadagdagan? E kung sinusunod natin ang sampung utos ng Diyos sabihin n'yo nga sa akin kung may problema tayo?” Wag na 'yung sampu. Mahirap memoryahin 'yan. 'Di ko rin kabisado. 'Yung dalawa na lang. Nung dumating si Hesus, ginawa N'yang dalawa. Respect and love thy Father and your fellow man as much as yourself. Kung mahal mo kapwa mo pagnanakawan mo ba? Dadayain mo ba? Lolokohin mo ba? Sasaktan mo ba? O gagawa ka ng anumang masama sa kanya? I'm of the firm belief na hindi bagong batas ang kailangan na solusyon natin. As a member of the Senate, as a member of Congress, we should all promise our people simple things. One, that they will bring their voice and their vote in the Senate insofar as issues brought forth before the Senate is concerned. And secondly, that we will exercise our powers to ensure that all of the laws that have been passed thus far are indeed implemented and followed to the letter by those who are supposed to implement them and by those who are supposed to follow them.

Dalawa lang ang gawin natin sa ating bansa. [Kung] sundin ang batas at ipatupad and batas, maraming pagbabago tayong makikita sa ating bansa. The way or the mode I am referring to is the power of Congress of oversight and to conduct congressional inquiries in order to check on abuses of the executive. JV Rufino : But aren't these powers in aid of legislation? Isn’t that the primary focus? Francis Escudero : Not necessarily. There are two functions of Congress. One is oversight functions, to ensure that laws we have passed are indeed followed to the letter; and, number two, if they cannot follow to the letter, then we should find out what the reason is-if at all, there is a need to amend or pass a corrective piece of legislation. But if not, it's simply calling the attention of the executive branch to follow the letter and intent of the law that Congress has passed previously. JV Rufino : I see... Our next question has to do with call centers. Most graduates of even the top schools, they end up working as call center agents. Is this something that you would support or would you sort of promote entrepreneurship as an alternative way? Francis Escudero : We should promote local entrepreneurs. We should be able to give them enough incentives insofar as being able to conduct and have their own business, concentrating on indigenous talent and local talent or local products or local raw materials. 'Yung call center is a temporary phenomenon. Para sa akin, wala namang masama. Pero hindi rin naman tama na in the long term, iyan na lang ang tayaan at asahan natin. Think for example [of] forwardlooking countries like Singapore. I do not and cannot see why our country cannot do the same insofar as planning forward is concerned, or being forward-looking is concerned. Five, ten years ago, “yung mga Chinese at Korean nationals at Indian nationals nagpupunta dito para mag-aral ng English. As of today

inimport na lang nila yung mga English teachers papuntang Korea, papuntang China, papuntang India para turuan yung mga kababayan nilang mag Ingles. We suffered a double whammy insofar as that is concerned. We lost out on what we may call student dollars, yung mga gusto sanang matuto ng Ingles dito at yung kababayan natin lalayo pa sa kanyang mahal sa buhay at yung kinikita nyang sweldo dun, dun din nya syempre ginagastos yung bahagi. We should be able to be forward-looking enough and not simply react to the current situation. We are in a position, given our placement in various countries in the world, to be able to predict or somewhat plan ahead insofar as the career path of our citizenry is concerned. Another example: Imbes na yung mga ambassador at consul natin nagiging alalay and tour guide ng mga congressman, senador, secretary o mga asawa nila o anak o kapatid, ang dapat sana nilang gawing trabaho: Alamin kung ano ang nangyayari at nagaganap sa bansang 'yun. Halimbawa, sa aking pagkakaalam sa Dubai, may i-kokonstruct na hospital dun o may i- kino-construct na matatapos sa year 2011. Alam nila kung anung klaseng skilled labor ang kailangan, alam nila kung anong klaseng medical personnel ang kailangan, at alam din nila kung ilan. Bakit hindi natin i-train at alamin natin yung mga pangangailangan at pag napunuan na natin yun, tama na rin. In Australia, that's how they do things. They look at the career path and the available professionals in the county. And whenever they find out that the particular career has been filled up, they simply communicate with the schools by increasing the quota, meaning yung average grade quota requirement for a particular course or limiting the number of students that can take that particular course in order to redirect and direct their graduates according to the needs of their country or according to the needs of the market.

Hindi natin ginagawa yun. Wala tayong ginagawang kaugnay pero kayang kayang gawin natin yun. I think that is what the government should do. JV Rufino : Ok, thank you very much. Thea Alberto : Hi, good evening. I'm Thea Alberto of INQUIRER.net. Francis Escudero : Hi Thea, good evening. Thea Alberto : Sir, for this campaign, how much do you intend to spend? Francis Escudero : It depends on how much money we can raise. We work on a weekly basis. We plan for one week. And depending on the amount of money that we can raise for the given week, we adjust accordingly. I was interviewed once [and asked], how much money I had in the bank, and that was as truthful as I could get. Of course, the interviewer did not ask me how much money I had--she asked me how much money I had in the bank. And I said two hundred thousand. I'm of the firm belief in what Kevin Costner said in the movie “Field of Dreams,” if you build it, they will come. And we have thus far tried to build our campaign, build our names, build our plans, ambitions and dreams for the country in the hope that the support will come. But insofar as studies are concerned the administration bets are correct. To be able to run a credible campaign, you need about a 100 million to 120 million pesos to run a credible campaign. Kami nangangarap kaming ma-raise yung pondong yun. Pero kung hindi man, we are willing to adjust accordingly and make the necessary changes with respect to our secrecy. Thea Alberto : Sir, when you last ran for a political, for an elective post, how much did you spend?

Francis Escudero : By far mura, ni hindi kami umabot sa maximum spending requirement limitation provided for valid for by law. Under the law you can only spend two pesos for every registered voter. Under the law, a party can only spend five pesos for every registered voter cumulative. In Sorsogon, we have approximately a hundred eighty thousand registered voters...times three so that's approximately a little less than one. And we complied with the requirements of the law insofar as expenditures in concerned. Thea Alberto : Sir, given the costs of campaigning and the lack of an immediate impact legislation has on running a country, why run for senator? Why not mayor or governor or again a representative of Sorsogon? Francis Escudero : Can't run for rep anymore of Sorsogon--I finished three consecutive terms . Another relative of mine is running for a local position, and the last thing I want would be an Escudero, Escudero, Escudero lineup for local positions. Thirdly, I don't think this is what I'll be doing for the rest of my life. I would want to run for a higher position and find out, and I would lucky enough to find out at the age 37, if this is still what I'll be doing. I've had the perspective of my district, insofar as serving government is concerned. I would want to broaden that perspective, if I will be given a chance. If I would not be given that trust and chance by our people, then I guess it's time to move one to other fields insofar as my professional career is concerned. Outside of politics, outside of government where perhaps life might be easier and happier. Thea Alberto : Sir, are there friends who have pledged already for donation?

Francis Escudero : Yes, iyon ang pinakamadaling gawin sa mundo. Mangako. Ang mahirap mangyari ay tuparin and pangako. Friends have pledged to help, some have actually helped, and we have

somehow been able to make do these past weeks --this first week of the campaign. Thea Alberto : For those who are able to help you, sir, don't you think you would be beholden to them in the future? And if someday they would ask for a favor? Francis Escudero : There's a basic distinction, and I draw the line there. If you asked for help and come knocking at their doors begging, and they actually helped you, then probably you are correct. But if you simply sit still and not move and wait for people to offer help and volunteer their own help, whether it be financially or in kind. That is where the distinction lies. Yun, hindi ka nila hawak. 'Yun hindi pwede kang hindi tumanggi. At kahit naman sa akin ngayon e. Even if you look at it from the point of view, from a person that you asked help from, you'd be doing him a service, you would be doing his or her children a service, you would be doing the country a service, if you still did what you thought was right. Instead of simply doing what they would want me to do. Even if it was against your conscience, your belief system, and your principles. I've been in politics for nine years. Wala pang nakapilit sa 'king na gumawa ng isang bagay na hindi ko gusto. O hindi ako naniniwala. Marami na ring temptasyon na dumaan pero, nalampasan ko 'yon. At sana sa mga darating pang taon, malampasan ko pa rin at magkaroon pa rin ako ng matibay na paniniwala at lakas na sabihin pa rin na NO pag NO, at YES pag YES. Thea Alberto : Sir, another topic. What are your views on political dynasties? Francis Escudero : I am a beneficiary of a political dynasty. And there can be no doubt with respect to that. My father used to be the member of the [House], representative of the first district of Sorsogon. He was appointed secretary of Agriculture in ‘96. And I ran for the same

position in the same district in 1998. So you have to take with a grain of salt whatever it is I will be saying. I'm against political dynasties, for the simple reason that it limits the voters’ choice of candidates. Bakit mo nilimitahan yung pagpipilian nya? Dahil yung dynasty raw naka set-up na yung pamilya. Kontrolado na nila 'yung boto sa lugar. I disagree. There have been many dynasties that were defeated in previous elections. Naniniwala rin ako kung gusto sa 'yo ng tao, ikaw ang mananalo. Kung ayaw sa 'yo ng tao, hindi ikaw and mananalo. Bakit mo lilimitahan ang pwedeng pagpilian ng tao kaugnay ng gusto nilang botohan? Pa'no kung ang pagpipilian mo ay isang sugarol, isang matanda, isang drug addict at isang sira ulo talaga, at 'yun sunod na choice nagkataong anak nung dating nakaupo. Pagbabawalan mo silang mamili at sabihing 'yun ang gusto nila? At pupwersahin mo silang pumili dung sa apat o lima na hindi naman talaga nila gusto? Take for example, the two remaining candidates in the GO slate who has a -- one has a sister there and one has a father in the Senate right now. Para sa 'kin hindi tamang pagbawalan silang tumakbo, but in the same manner, in the same breath, it is your right, if it in your right and voter's right to say and decide. Will they still vote for them even if they have a father or sister there? Or will they not vote for them anymore because they have a father or sister there? It's completely up to the voter. And it's not for us to decide and dictate upon them whom they will vote for given the wide choices that should be made available to them. Thea Alberto : Pero, sir, don't you think it is ironic that you may not get this from the s-called political dynasty and yet you don't like you know, the whole thing, the whole picture? Francis Escudero : No, I benefited from it. Meaning, I'm the product of a dynasty in our district, in our province perhaps. And I'm against it, but I have not participated in any vote with respect to it. Given the

conflict of interest that I have, given that I'm a product of a dynasty, I don't think we should pass the political dynasty law. Simply put. It gives the image and impression that we don't trust the Filipino voter. That the Filipino voter cannot decide for himself or for herself what is best for the country. At the end of the day it's still one person, one vote. Even if he is still the child, wives, children, brother, uncle, of the incumbent. Let the people decide whom they want to serve as the member of congress, mayor, governor or any other elective position. Francis Escudero, podcast interview transcript, part 2

INQUIRER.net First Posted 11:42:00 02/26/2007 Lira Fernandez : Magandang gabi po. Ako po si Lira Fernandez. Nag ko-cover ako ng Team Unity. Francis Escudero : Good luck. Lira Fernandez : Sir meron pong -- marami siguro hindi alam tong bill na 'to, na ikaw ang nag propose. Pero nagsi-circulate sa Yahoo! Groups, and which is about giving more teeth to the Animal Welfare Act. Hindi ka ba natatakot for the loose voters for this bill kasi maraming Filipinos ang dog-eaters? Francis Escudero : Minana ko 'yang bill na 'yan, na inumpisahan ng tatay ko nung s'ya'y mambabatas pa lang. My father is a veterinarian by profession and he used to be the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine in UP. Some changes have to be made and we filed the bill in order to pass corrective legislation. 'Yung takot na mawawalan ng boto, hindi konsiderasyon sa 'min yun nang ifinile namin 'yun bill. Marami ba? Ay.(Laughs) Lira Fernandez : Have you pushed for it? Francis Escudero : Yes, and we have been pushing for it.

Lira Fernandez : In the next Congress? Francis Escudero : No, actually, we still have time to finish it when we resume in June 4. Lira Fernandez : Ano'ng status nung...? Francis Escudero : It's approved I think in the House but it is pending approval from the Senate. Hopefully if it's approved in the Senate by tomorrow, we still have time to pass it before we go on recess in June 4. Because if we don't, it will start again from scratch. Lira Fernandez : Basically, what does it hold? Francis Escudero : It simply increases the penalties for cruelty against animals, particularly dogs. Because it doesn't seem to have [a] deterrent effect given the low penalties the previously law had. Lira Fernandez : How much [is the] amount? Francis Escudero : I think from from one to six years was the increase, if I'm not mistaken. Lira Fernandez : Basically, what drives your political ambition?

Francis Escudero : What drives my political ambitions? The desire to be remembered beyond one’s lifetime or after one has long passed away. 'Di ba may kasabihan sa Ingles: If you can't write a book, might as well be written about. I can't write a book. I can't sing so I can't leave a CD behind. I can’t act so I can't leave a DVD behind. I can't write so I can't leave a book behind. I would want somehow to be remembered beyond my lifetime for having done something good, something right. Something that the people actually felt and the only thing I know is serving in government as a lawyer or as a professor. Wala pa kaming anak ng misis ko. Wala

pa 'kong maiiwan na mabuting tao siguro sa mundo para sabihin ito yung pamana ko sa mundo. Right now, what I have is what I know I can do insofar as my present position is concerned. And that is my basic driving force insofar as entering politics is concerned, and staying in politics is concerned. But politics, having said that, is not my end-all and be-all. I don't eat politics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And whenever I sleep, I don't dream of politics. Hindi pulitika ang hangin na hinihinga ko. At maswerte siguro ako, sa edad na 37, nasa crossroads ako para malaman: Ito pa ba ang gagawin ko o hindi na? Maghahanap ba ako ng ibang dahilan o rason para maski na papa'no maalala ko pagkatapos kong pumanaw, o dito na talaga yung lugar para makuha at makita ko 'yun? Lira Fernandez : What will make you get out of it? Francis Escudero : 'Pag sinabi na sa 'kin ng tao na ayaw na nila sa 'kin at matalo ako sa eleksyon. I will not run for any other position after that. Lira Fernandez : After this election? Francis Escudero : After this election. Lira Fernandez : And if you win? Francis Escudero : And I hope it will not happen though. Lira Fernandez : And what will you be six years after? Francis Escudero : What will I be six years after? I hope I will still be the same person. Scruples and principles intact. Very much like what I am now after nine years in Congress. And I don't know if I will still seek re-election after that time. Lira Fernandez : I mean no more political career?

Francis Escudero : Well it depends. May Senado pa ba pagdating ng panahong 'yun? Would there be an opening for higher office later on? Any politician really who says that he is not thinking of higher office is not telling the truth. Every politician at the back of his mind at least would be thinking: What if? What if? What if? And for as long as reality hasn't slapped him in the face. I think that possibility remains open insofar as everyone is concerned. Lira Fernandez : Is losing one of your worst fears in politics? Francis Escudero : I don't want to lose. Nobody wants to lose. But I'm not afraid of it. It's a reality and it's a fact that one has to accept and live by. But I would consider myself lucky because should that happen at my age right now, 37, I still have the rest of my life to do other things. I think the more painful part is losing when you're already 65, 70 or 80. Wala ka ng ibang gagawin pa kung saka sakali. Matapos nun, I consider myself blessed. That at age 37, I would be given the privilege and opportunity to know what to do for the rest of my life henceforth depending on what the outcome of the election will be. Lira Fernandez : Sir, would you still recall, how much personal income tax did you pay in the last six years? Francis Escudero : I honestly don't know. It's my accountant friend who takes care of it. I think we paid, if I'm not mistaken – two hundred plus. Two hundred or three hundred plus thousand, excluding the withholding tax part. One of the things we take very good care of is our income tax return and statement of assets and liabilities. Being in the opposition, we wouldn't want government or the administration to be able to find a gap insofar as the things that we should be doing, given the fact that

we been dishing out criticisms, left and right, to officials in the administration. But I assure you, anything we have stated in the ITR and SAL is exactly what we have, and exactly what we should pay, and is exactly what we earned in the past so many years that I have been in office. Lira Fernandez : Sir, how do you feel about Cesar Montano's joining Team Unity? Francis Escudero : At least may gwapo na 'dun. (laughs) Hindi, it's his right to run for public office. Nobody should take that right away from him. For as long as he complies with qualifications for the office, meaning he's of age; he's a natural-born Filipino; he is able to read and write; he is a resident of the Philippines for two years previous to the election; and he is a registered voter; I think nobody can say or claim that he cannot run for this particular post that he is running for. On the part of the administration, I ask them, is this an admission, that they are taking back everything they said against FPJ [actor and presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.-ed] in ‘04 [the 2004 presidential elections-ed]? Or they saying it was only wrong in ‘04 but it's now right insofar as they're concerned for this particular election in ‘07? I'm not taking anything away from Mr. Montano. It's his right to run. At the end of the day it's still one person, one vote. Let the people decide who they want to serve as senator of the Republic insofar as the 12 vacant seats are concerned. Joel Guinto: Hi sir, I'm Joel. I cover the defense beat. Francis Escudero : Hi Joel. Good evening. Joel Guinto: Sir, just an overview, what bills will you prioritize if you're elected?

Francis Escudero : Bills basically institutionalizing first and foremost the system or theory being adopted by the Gawad Kalinga group insofar as reviving and restoring the dignity of every Filipino is concerned via their programs associated with housing. Second would be ensuring that quality education is made available to anyone who might want to study not only up to high school but up to the tertiary or collegiate level. Third, would be bills that would ensure that the ample and adequate protection of human rights, and for penalties against those who might want or should violate these human rights -- basic human rights of our people. Fourth would be strengthening the oversight and legislative powers of Congress as against the executive in order to prevent abuse and in order to prevent any potential or possibility for corruption that may occur in government particularly in the executive branch. Joel Guinto : How do you increase the oversight powers? Francis Escudero : The rules of the House. The rules of the Senate for that particular matter because according to the Constitution, the Senate and the House would be supreme insofar as the rule-making powers are concerned and this can be done by each chamber independently of the other, and such rules would be respected by the courts given the theory of separation of powers. Joel Guinto: In Congress, you are always out-voted by the majority, how do you work around it? Francis Escudero : At the end of the day, in a democracy, it's still the majority that should be followed. Tama man o mali, moral man o immoral, just or unjust, in a democracy you follow only one rule. What the majority wants, let history decide who was right and who was wrong.

Let history decide if at all, if it was indeed a correct decision or vote or if it's a wrong decision or vote. Trabaho ng minority na matalo talaga sa botohan. Dahil ang tawag nga sa 'min ay minority. 'Pag nanalo kami sa botohan, hindi na minority ang tawag sa 'min, majority na siguro ang tawag sa 'min. Having said that in fiscalizing, we don't expect to win a vote. In fiscalizing, we simply expect to clarify certain issues that may be clouded. In fiscalizing, we simply seek to make them accountable for whatever it is that they have done, or failed to do. And in fiscalizing we seek to prevent or avoid previous mistakes or misdeeds committed by officials in government. Even if we lose the vote, for as long as we get that message across, I think we would have been able to perform our duly sworn duties already. Joel Guinto: Sir, you mentioned human rights. Given the spate of political killings and journalist killings, how do you intend to stop this? Francis Escudero : Trabaho ng executive 'yan. May mga common denominator ang lahat ng mga pagpatay o mga political killings na nagaganap sa ating bansa. Una, palagi naka-motorsiklo 'yung bumabaril. Pangalawa, dalawa palagi sila. Pangatlo, naka-bonnet. Pang-apat, .45 and gamit. Panglima, hindi nalalayo ng isang kilometro sa isang pinakamalapit na kampo ng sundalo o nga pulis. At panganim, ni isang suspect, hanggang ngayon, bagaman pitong daan mahigit na ang pinapatay, at sa araw na ito may binaril na naman sa aming distrito sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon, 'yung ABC president ng munisipyo ng Pilar na malapit na kaibigan ko pang si Jun Esplares, hanggang ngayon wala pa rin silang suspect. Clearly, it is government that is behind these killings and clearly it is government that must do something about it. Matagal nang pinaparusahan sa ilalim ng batas ang pagpatay ng kapwa natin. Hindi na kailangan magpasa ka pa ng panibagong batas ng Kongreso na pinagbabawal 'yung pagpatay s kapwa. Kailangan lamang ipatupad 'yun. Kailangan lamang tiyakin na sinusunod 'yan partikular na nga mga miyembro ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The only thing that Congress can do is to exercise its strengthened powers of oversight to ensure that indeed these laws are followed, and officials who are amiss with respect to their duties and functions would be held accountable by dismissing them from office, or holding them accountable by a command responsibility 'nung failure ng peace and order dun sa lugar nila. Joel Guinto: What should GMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] do to stop the killings? Francis Escudero : Start disciplining members of the military and heads should start rolling. Si General Palparan halimbawa, maraming alingawngaw na s'ya ang may kinalaman sa walang humpay na pagpatay ng mga miyembro ng makakaliwa or progeisibong grupo, Inimbestigahan ba s'ya? Sinuspinde ba man lang s'ya? Bakit kapag mayor, governor, o kakampi na opposition ang medyo nadapa or natisod, suspendido agad. Dahil pag kapag kakampi n'ya, kaalyado n'ya, tumutulong sa kanya, kahit preventive suspension man lang ay wala. A chilling effect must be sent to the hierarchy of the Philippine [military]and the PNP [Philippine National Police-ed] insofar as these political killings are concerned. That government will not stand idly by and watch as our citizens even if they disagree with the government are being killed and shot one by one. Joel Guinto: So, whose head should roll, sir? Does this include Commander [Hermognes] Esperon [military chief of staff-ed]? Francis Escudero : Command responsibility. Esperon, yes, should be one. The commanding general insofar as the particular area or field is concerned would be two. Third would be the respective regional provincial police directors who cannot even produce a single suspect insofar as these killings are concerned. Joel Guinto: Sir, you also mentioned about improving the educational system. What laws do you intend to pass?

Francis Escudero : Isa lang siguro. 'Yung budget kada taon, to increase instead of decrease the budget for state colleges or universities to be able… to enable them rather to offer them services to a wider number of students in the provinces. Ang nangyayari ngayon for the past 3 years, pababa nang pababa ang budget na pino-propose ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Arroyo sa state colleges and universities. Gusto nilang maging self sustaining ito at ayaw nilang makipagcompete daw and mga eskwelang ito sa mga private schools. Para sa 'kin, mali 'yun. Dapat makipag-compete ang state colleges and universities sa private schools in order to hold them in check. Alam n'yo ba na pag tinataasan ng gobyerno ang sweldo ng mga teachers sa public school, nag-oobject ang mga private school, sa kadahilanan na, mahihirapan na raw silang makipagsabayan sa gobyerno sa pagbayad ng sweldo ng mga titser. E mali naman nga ata 'yun. I think government, for as long as we can afford it, must be able to set the bar insofar as salaries are concerned so that the private sector would follow. And, number two, government must also be able to set the bar insofar as the lowered cost of education is concerned. So that the private sector would also follow suit. Otherwise, they will simply lose out in the business that they had entered into, insofar as educating our youth is concerned. Para sa 'kin 'yun lang ang kailangan gawin ng kanyang pamahalaan. A reverse of what the present administration is doing. Joel Guinto: Sir, you mentioned about increasing the budget, but do we need to build more state colleges and universities? Francis Escudero : I don't think so. For as long as we have one for each province that would be enough. Providing them with adequate money in order to maintain their facilities, and expand perhaps their facilities would be enough without necessarily enacting via a law, another state college and the university in another municipality or city for as long as there's already one in the province.

Joel Guinto: Sir, on the issue of taxes, do you think Congress should pass more laws? Francis Escudero : No. Before government can knock at our doors, and ask for more money via taxes, they must prove two things first. One, that they have been collecting the best take that they can [from] existing taxes that are being imposed. Two, that they have been trying to spend our money wisely and prudently but it simply is not enough. Hindi nila pinakita 'yan nung ipinasa nila 'yung VAT. Hindi nila pinatunayan sa 'tin 'yan nu'ng pinasa nila 'yang Expanded Value Added Tax. Bakit tayo pumayag na ganu'n ganu'n na lamang? Pangatlo, under the Constitution, taxation must always be based on the taxpayer's ability to pay. Hindi sinunod sa VAT 'yun. Tayong lahat tinamaan ng VAT nu'ng ito'y pinasa ng Kongreso, mayaman man o mahirap, may trabaho man o wala. We were proposing to them a counter measure. Sabi namin, why don't we pass what we proposed in the opposition -- an equalization tax. Ano 'yung equalization tax? It's basically a tax on cellphones. How would we be taxing cellphones? Again, bearing in mind 'yung taxation must be based on the taxpayer's ability to pay. Prepaid ka o postpaid? Joel Guinto: Postpaid in the office… Francis Escudero : How much are you paying per minute? Do you even know? All of the persons I ask if they were postpaid, kung magkano 'yung binabayaran nila, can't even say how much per minute they're paying. Prepaid itself approximately eight pesos per minute. Postpaid depending on your plan, it's about four pesos to six pesos per minute. There' s a difference of approximately two to four pesos.

'Yun 'yung equalization tax na gusto sana naming gawin. 'Yung differential na 'yun ibabayad sa gobyerno. So, immediately socialized 'yung tax mo. If you're paying four pesos per minute, it means you have a high income or heavy user ka, kaya mura lang e. So you'll be paying a price differential of four pesos for every minute of usage of your cellphone. So yumayaman ang nagbabayad nun. Kung medyo di ka masyado kayamanan, you pay two pesos which will go to government. Ayaw mo ng ganun, ayaw mo mgabayad ng tax, then get prepaid. And you will still pay the same amount of eight pesos per minute. Walang magbabago din. Based on our computation, it is less than their projected collections from the VAT by only about four billion pesos. But socialized pa sana di pa tayo tinamaang lahat. Nakabase pa sa usage ng bawat isa hindi yung pati kanin babawasan a ng bibilhin at noodles babawasan ang bibilhin dahil lamang sa pagtaas ng buwis. Joel Guinto: Would you seek a repeal of the EVAT [Expanded ValueAdded Tax--ed]? Francis Escudero : Yes, we tried to. We have been trying to, and we will continue to do so. Francis Escudero podcast interview transcript, part 3

INQUIRER.net First Posted 11:44:00 02/26/2007

Joel Guinto: What your agenda for the military? What do you think it needs, more budget like what President Arroyo is saying? Francis Escudero : The military must be re-oriented. We must be able to provide a staffing pattern for the military, which has not yet been done in the so many years that it has been in existence. For example, tine-train mo ang sundalo, bibigyan mo ng mataas na sweldo para maging sundalo. Private man o colonel, o kapitan, o sarhento. Kaya

lang sa loob ng kampo, 'yung nagbabantay ng kampo, sundalo. Dapat security guard. 'Yung naglilinis ng pinggan sa mess hall, sundalo. Dapat dishwasher. 'Yung naglilinis ng plato sa lamesa dapat waiter, sundalo pa rin. 'Yung typist sa opisina ng heneral, sundalo. Driver, sundalo. Driver ng asawa ng heneral, sundalo pa rin. Bodyguard ng mga anak, sundalo pa rin. Messenger sa opisina ng heneral, sundalo pa rin. Ang taas na sweldong binibigay natin sa sundalo, ang ginagampanang tungkulin, walang kinalaman sa pagiging sundalo. Mas mura kung mag-apruba na kasi nila--di ko mainthindihan kung bakit di nila ginagawa--ang staffing pattern ng military functions, or civilian functions must be performed by civilian personnel. Mas mura ang sweldo nila kaysa sa sweldo ng sundalo na napakaraming benepisyo. One, two, we must re-orient the entire military's needs and requirements and so far is the modernization is concerned. Sa tingin may lulusob pa sa Pilipinas o mag-aatake of mag-iinvade sa Pilipinas in the next five decades, or even 10 decades or 100 years? Hindi na uso ang lusuban ng bansa ngayon. Ang uso ay ite-take over mo na lang ang ekonomiya ng bansa kung saka-sakali. We can't even defend the Philippines, which is an archipelago, and I don't understand why the Philippines keeps on insisting to buy an F16. Kahit gaano kagaling ang piloto natin, kung iisa lang naman 'yan, at 15 'yung F16 nung kabilang bansa, kukuyugin lang naman 'yung nagiisang F16 natin. Balewala 'yun e. Tinanong ko sila kung bakit nila gusto 'yan? Sabi nila, tayo na lang ang walang F16. E ano naman ngayon? Isang F16 kaya nating bumili ng 13 helikopter. Para sa 'kin, internal security and dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin. Internal threat ang dapat nating tugunan, at hindi external threat. Alam n'yo ba nagaambisyon pa ang AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines-ed] natin na bumili ng aircraft carrier na maliit daw, at isang submarine. Aanhin naman natin 'yun, utang na loob.

We should accept and live with our limitations. We should accept there are four elements of the state. Sovereignty, territory, government and people, the most important among these four should always be people. Hangga't wala pa tayong sapat na pera na gagastusin para sa mga kababayan natin, wag na muna tayong mag-ambisyon ng kung anu ano pa na hindi naman nakalatag para sa pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin. Joel Guinto: But how do you fight the communist insurgency and the Abu Sayyaf? Francis Escudero : That's internal security. It's still not external security. Joel Guinto : What should the military interest lie in? What hardware should you push? Francis Escudero : Choppers, more personnel in the field, because they will have a bigger budget to support our soldiers because this will now entail a less amount of or lesser amounts insofar as salaries are concerned because we're paying civilian personnel. Ang sweldo ng sundalo ngayon humigit kumulang, labintatlo, labing-apat na libo. Ang sweldo ng isang contractual, halimbawa na secretary, is about seven or eight thousand pesos. For every item that you get, you are able to save approximately five thousand pesos per month. Malaking bagay 'yan, malaking pagkakaiba 'yan sa operational expenses na pwede mong mabigay sa mga platoon at sa mga batalion natin sa field. The money is available. If only government will be prudent enough insofar as spending our money is concerned, I think we can easily make do with what we have insofar as realizing our ambitions and dreams or even our objectives for any given year is concerned. Joel Guinto: Are you in favor of limiting the scope of the Commission on Appointments and the promotion of military officers?

Francis Escudero: Yes. I think it should be re-studied. I think it should be limited, and I think it should be de-politicized. Joel Guinto: How do you de-politicize the military? Francis Escudero: By simply limiting its scope. Either to higher officials only or one time lang for colonels only. I'm still not convinced insofar as which particular option to take. At one point in time they should pass through the Commission on Appointments. But not at each and every stage after they are promoted to the position of colonel. Masyado naman mahirap na dalawa, tatlong beses sila dadaan do'n. Masyado na tala silang mapo-politicizd, kung saka-sakali. Nonoy Espina:Magandang gabi congressman, ako si Nonoy Espina. Marami sa nakikinig ngayon sa podcast na 'to ay mga kababayan natin sa ibayong dagat. Du'n naninirahan at du'n nagtatrabaho at 'ika nga mga bagong bayani, sila and they prop the economy up but it's worse for them, kung [baga] wala ring nagbabago sa kalagayan nila, Ano'ng maaasahan nila sa inyo pag naboto kayo? Francis Escudero: Una sa lahat, magandang gabi din sa 'yo. Tinatagurian at tinatawag nga nating bayani pero hindi naman bayani ang pagtrato natin sa kanila. Halimbawa, hanggang ngayon, wala pang pormal na opisina tayo sa ibang bansa sa pamamagitan man ng embahada o consulado na mangangalaga lamang sa kapakanan at karapatan nila. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hanggang ngayon hinahayaan pa rin nila na mga pribadong kumpanya ang pumasok sa mga kontratang mangangalaga sa ating mga kababayan sa ibang bayan sa ibang bansa at hindi ang pamahalaan natin mismo ang pumasok sa mga kontrata para matiyak na pwede natin silang pangalagaan at protektahan saklaw ng bandila ng ating bansa, at hindi 'yung pangaral lamang ng kumpanyang nagrecruit sa kanila. Bilang senador pinapasa at ipinapanukala namin at ginawa na namin sa Kamara 'yan. Na gobyerno na lamang ang siyang makikipag kasundo sa iba't ibang bansa at 'yung mga pribadong kontrata ay

dapat masaklaw ng pang-malawakan at bansa-sa-bansang kasunduan kaugnay ng pagdadala at pagpapadala at pagha-hire ng mga empleyado na Pilipino sa ibang bansa. Pangalawa, matagal ng pinag-uusapan ang isa pang tulong para sa ating mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng reaksyon kung saka-sakaling may problema na. Kung hindi sa pamamagitan ng pagkakataon ng aktual na serbisyo ng mga pribadong kumpanyang gumagawa ngayon. Marami sigurong tututol na bakit makikipag-kumpitensya pa ang pamahalaan sa mga pribadong kumpanya. Halimbawa na nagbibigay ng serbisyong remittance. Halimbawa na nagbibigay ng serbisyong libreng tawag o mas murang tawag sa kanilang mga kamag-anak. Gobyerno ang dapat nagbibigay n'yan sa kanila bilang pagkilala sa napakalaki nilang kontribusyon sa ating bansa. May isang bagay lang na hindi natin pwedeng isabatas. Meron isang masamang epekto rin ang pagkakaroon ang OFW sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo. At 'yan ay pagkakaroon ng mga kamag-anak nilang naninirahan dito na hindi na nagtatrabaho at umaasa na lamang sa padala ng kanilang mga kamag-anak sa ibang bansa. Dapat may kongkretong programa ang pamahalaan para sa mga kapamilya ng mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa. Upang sa gayon, hindi masayang ang kanila oras at panahon at nakanganga na lamang at naghihintay na lamang ng biyaya mula sa kamag-anak nilang napapakakuba sa ibayong dagat. The phenomenon of the OFWs have (sic) made our country a consumer driven country and an economy that's consumer-driven. Hindi maganda at tama 'yun. Marapat at dapat ma-channel ng tama ang pinapadalang pera ng mga kababayan natin dito para hindi lamang gamitin na panggastos sa araw-araw ng pangangailangan, kung hindi magkaroon ng pangmatagalang investment at capital outlay ang mga kababayan natin upang pag retire nila ay may pakinabang naman sila sa kanilang pinaghirapan at pinagpuhunang sweldo sa ibang bansa.

Nonoy Espina: Talking of the consumer-driven economy nga, pinagmamayabang natin natural resources natin. We have minerals. We have lots of minerals, yung tinatawag nating renewable energy sources. Isa sa pinakamalaking resorts in the world. Pero bakit 'di natin napapakinabangan 'yun? Francis Escudero: Sinusubukan nang pakinabangan ng gobyernong ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbenta niyan sa mga banyaga o dayuhan. Hindi ako sang-ayon dun. Alam mo hindi naman natin kailangang pakinabangan lahat ng 'yan ngayon. Sa araw na ito, sa buwan na ito, sa taong ito.Kasama dapat ng responsibilidad natin ang pangalagaan ang bahaging 'yan para sa mga salinglahi at sa mga darating pang henerasyon. Hindi tama na ubusin nating lahat 'yan ngayon at tayo mismo ang lumigaya dahil sa mga resources na 'yan. Dapat bahagi ng programa't plataporma ng anumang pamahalaan ang una, paggamit lamang ng angkop at tamang parte at halaga ng mga resources na 'yan para sa pangangailangan lamang natin. At pangalawa, tiyakin ang pagkakaroon ng sapat pang maiiwan para sa mga darating na henerasyon. Ang polisiya ng pamahalaan ay di tama sa aking pananaw patungkol sa paggamit ng resources natin o mga likas na yaman na bukod tangi sana sa Pilipinas. Malawak ang lupain natin pero hanggang ngayon ang naka-capitalize pa lang natin ay humigit kumulang 12 percent. Marami pa tayong untapped na mga resources na hindi natin magamitgamit dahil kulang ang puhunan at ang nagiging solusyon ng gobyeno, ibenta na lamang 'yan sa dayuhan. Hindi tama 'yun. Dapat gumawa't bumuo tayo ng sariling kakayahan gawin 'yan, at hindi natin ipaubaya na lamang sa mga dayuhan ang paggawa ng bagay na 'yan. Repatriation and domestic profits na kinikita nila ang mangyayari at hindi rin 'yan ikauunlad ng ating bansa sa short, medium, or long term. Nonoy Espina: So, sa ngayon pa lang may naiisip ka na bang panukalang batas para matugunan ang...

Francis Escudero: Uulitin ko ulit 'yung sinabi ko kanina, hindi bagong batas ang kailangan. Ipatupad lang natin. Dati nga bawal pumasok ang dayuhan sa pag-eexploit ng natural resources natin. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit sa pamamagitan ng EO, ng AO, ay nabibigyan nila ng tsansang pumasok ang mga dayuhang 'yan na nasi-circumvent o naiikutan ang kasalukuyang batas na klaro naman ang pagbabawal. Oversight function ng Senado, ng Kongreso ang dapat gamitin d'yan para paalala sa mga negosyanteng it at sa pamahalaan, ang probisyon ng saligang batas na nagbabawal at nagsasabing bawal 'yan. Nonoy Espina: Last year, may dalawang major na issues na halos umagaw sa eksena, 'yung Subic Rape Case at yung patuloy nga na pamamaslang at ang anti-terrorism bill, Anu sa tingin mo ang mas mahalaga? Natural sovereignty or International commitment. Human rights or security? Francis Escudero: Tao pa rin sa kadulu-duluhan. Gaya ng nasabi ko, apat ang elemento ng isang estado. Pamahalaan, kasarinlan ng soberenya, teritoryo o lupain, at pang-apat, tao. Timbangin anumang araw ng Lingo, anumang oras ng araw, anumang araw ng buwan, palagi kong, palagi mas matimbang at mabigat sa akin ang tao. Timbangin ang kasarinlan at tao, tao pa rin ako. Timbangin gobyerno, teritorya at tao, sa tao pa rin ako. Anumang issue na pagpipilian ng dalawang 'yan, palaging tao ang pipiliin ko. So kung karapatang pangtao, dignidad ng kababayan -natin ang pag-uusapan, palaging mas matimbang sa 'kin 'yan kaysa anumang issue na pwedeng itapat d'yan. Nonoy Espina: Huling tanong na lang siguro. Coming from Bicol, isa sa iyong pinaka-apektado ng insurgency, malamang may ideya ka naman ng ugat nito, paano dapat tugunan 'yan? Tama ba ang pagtugon ngayon ng gobyerno sa problema? Francis Escudero: Ang pagpatay sa mga miyembro ng probisibong grupo nagsisimpatya daw sa mga makakaaliwang grupong humahawak ng armas para maisulong ang kanilang paniniwala ay

hindi tama, walang pinag-kaiba ang gobyerno sa kanila kung gagawin laman nila 'yan. Pangalawa, hindi rin tama at hindi rin ako sang-ayon na ubusin na lamang sila sa pagiging miyembro sa Kongreso sa pamamagitan ng pagiging at pagkakaroon ng mga party-list groups dyan. Ayan na nga't nakikilahok sa proseso ang bahagi ng dating grupong 'yan, pilit pa nating tinutulak pabalik sa bundok, imbes na papunta sa sentro at papasok sa mga prosesong legal na kinikilala ng ating saligang batas. Pangatlo, hindi rin tama na patayin ng kapwa Filipino ang kapwa Filipino, anuman ang kanyang paniniwala. Para sa akin ang solusyon ay iisa lamang, pinag-ibayong pagpapaliwanag at pinag-ibayong atensyon sa mga lugar na ito sapagkat ang ugat ng anumang insurhensiya, dito man o sa ibang bansa, ay kahirapan, kawalan ng pag-asa, at kawalan ng katarungan kung saka-sakaling may nang-api o may gumawa ng mali sa kanila. Tatlong bagay na dapat tugunan ng sinumang pamahalaan na nagnanais na burahin ang insurgency sa kanilang lugar. Hindi sa pamamagitan ng baril. Hindi sa pamamagitan ng bala na sosolusyonan 'yan. Ang solusyon ay matatagpuan lamang sa tunay at di maikakaila na pagbabago at pag-angat ng mga kalidad ng buhay sa mga lugar na 'yan, at, pangalawa, pagtiyak ng katarungan ay tunay na magagawad sa kanila, sinuman ang magkasala, sinuman ang naging biktima, simuman ang mabenipisyuhan. 'Yan ay nagawa na sa ibang parte ng Pilipinas, subalit tila nahihirapan silang gawin sa ka-Bikulan, partikular na dahil na siguro sa kawalan ng atensyon na binibigay sa ka-Bikulan dahil siguro para sa punto de bista ng mga ilang mga pulitiko, kokonti lang daw naman ang botante sa Bicol, kung iyong tutuusin, ang buong rehiyon ng Bicol na binubuo ng anim na probinsya, mas malaki pa ang Pangasinan at malayong mas malaki pa ang Cebu. Marahil dahil d'yan, hindi binibigyan ng karampatang atensyon ng mga pulitikong nasa national level, and aming rehiyon sa Bicol. Marahil panahon na rin 'yan at rason 'yan kung bakit nararapat na

magkaroon ng kinatawan ang Bicol, hindi lamang sa Senado, hindi lamang sa Kongreso kung hindi sa iba't ibang antas, level at opisina ng pamahalaan. Alex Villafania : Good evening, sir. Alex Villafania po, nagcocover po ng Infotech sa INQUIRER.net. Francis Escudero: Magandang gabi din sa iyo, Alex. Alex Villafania: Sir, what are your thoughts regarding the automation of elections? Francis Escudero: Hindi solusyon 'yan para magkaroon tayo ng malinis na halalan. Ang solusyon para magkaroon tayo ng malinis na halalan ay hindi 'yung paggamit ng computer. Iyon ay pagtiyak na laganap nating mapaparating ang resulta ng eleksyon sa lalong madaling panahon, sa pinakamaraming tao. Upang sa gayon, kung may kagustuhan man o motibo o plano silang dayain o baguhin ang resulta, hindi na nila magagawa 'yan. Our counter proposal insofar as the Automated Election Law is concerned, was very simple. Buy a digital camera costing about 10,000 pesos, buy a printer costing about three to 5,000 pesos, and simply take a digital image of the election return in every precint and print as many copies as you can under the e-commerce law, that would be considered as an official copy of the return and leave about a hundred copies in the precints, so that anyone who might want to get a copy of the result can easily get one. Unlike now, there are only about seven or nine copies, I think under the existing law of the election return. In addition to that, via the Net, napakadaling batuhin ang inpormasyon na 'yan at isang programa lang ang kailangan mo para meron kang real-time result ng eleksyon, at the national level. 'Yun ang solusyon para sa akin, para maiwasan ang dayaan at para sa lalong madaling pangahon, malaman natin ang resulta ng eleksyon. Not this computerized voting scheme being provided by the AES.

Alex Villafania: Sir, what if in a computerized system in the elections, it opens opportunities for Filipinos abroad to vote online? Francis Escudero: That possibility is already available to them now, but the question will always be safeguards. The question will always be: How do you ensure that indeed the vote that we will be counting here by the Net is the same vote that they cast wherever they may be? Secondly, there is problem of having a hard copy. There must be a hard copy of the vote that a particular Filipino located anywhere in the world cast that he gave a particular candidate. Hindi tamang walang hard copy man lang 'yung dahil kung magka-problema o aberya, paano mo pa malalaman kung talagang nanalo nga 'yung pinroklama o hindi s'ya dapat pinroklama dahil talo naman talaga. Alex Villafania: Sir, related na naman po sa IT, meron pa ba kayong plano, panukalang batas na isusulong pagdating sa information and communications technology sa Pilipinas? Francis Escudero: Pagpapalawak lang siguro pag update ng ating ECommerce Law. Upang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng legal nabasehan anumang kontratang pinasukan, anumang kasunduang pinasukan sa pamamagitan ng Internet. Iyon siguro ang magiging konsentrasyon ko, kasi iyon ang naiintindihan at nalalaman ko bilang abugado at bilang dating teacher na nagtuturo ng abogasiya sa mga kaeskwela ko noon sa UP. Ang konsentrasyon ko ay patungo sa direksyon na 'yan insofar as e-commerce law is concerned. Alex Villafania: Sir, sa tingin nyo po ba, 'yung sa E-Commerce Act po ngayon, medyo kulang pa po 'yung nangyari? Francis Escudero: Kulang pa 'yon, dahil napakaraming development, napakaraming technological advance sa Internet na hanggag sa ngayon ay hindi pa natin lubusang naiintindihan o nakikilala o nakikita 'yung legal na implikasyon nyan. Siguro konting pagdaloy pa ng taon about three to five years, bago natin mahabol ang kasalukuyang technological development; but when that time comes, balik ka na

naman, mag-aaral ka na naman, maghahabol ka na naman sa bilis ng maari mong magawa at gawin sa pamamagitan ng Internet. Alex Villafania: Sir, last question po, regarding po sa mga gay and lesbian rights. Sir, would you be pushing for legalization of civil unions between gays and lesbians? Francis Escudero: No, for the simple reason -- not because I disagree with it -- for the simple reason that I don't think that Filipinos in our country are ready for that at this point in time. It may come in the future, it may come at some future date but not at this point in time. I may be wrong, I may be mistaken but that is how I view it insofar as the present situation and circumstances is concerned. Alex Villafania: Citing what factor sir? Francis Escudero: 'Yung sarili ko. Botante din man ako, Filipino di naman ako, may mga pinanghahawakan din naman akong paniniwala. Sa aking pananaw at opinyon, hindi pa nakahanda at hindi pa handa ang ordinaryong Filipino kabilang na siguro ako dun. At dadalhin ko, 'yang boses na 'yan at 'yang opinyon na 'yan sa Senado kung sakasakali until and unless it has been proven and shown that indeed the Filipino is ready for it already, I'm not willing to support such a measure. Francis Escudero: Ang aking pong taos-pusong pasasalamat sa pagkakataon at tsansang ito upang sa isang makabagong paraan, mapakinggan ang boses at tinig ng lahat ng mga kumakandidato sa pagka senador, administrasyon man o oposisyon. Nais ko lamang pong ipabatid na sana sa darating na halalan, mabigyan ng pagkakataon at tsansa ang mga nakababatang kandidato mula sa magkabilang panig sa paniniwala't paninindigan na ang kabataan sa ngayon, hindi lamang dapat ituring pag-asa. Ang kabataan sa ngayon dapat ituring maasahan na ng bayan dahil hindi po kapansanan ang kawalan ng edad at hindi kapansanan din o kakulangan ang kawalan ng karanasan.

JV Rufino: You're welcome congressman Escudero. Good luck in the campagn. Francis Escudero : Likewise, thank you. (clapping)