KAREN DAVILA (KD): Joining us on “Hot Copy” this morning, we have with us Philippine Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero. Senate President Escudero, good morning to you and congratulations.
SENATE PRESIDENT FRANCIS ‘CHIZ’ G. ESCUDERO (CHIZ): Good morning, Karen. Good morning to our televiewers. Parang hindi bagay, Karen, kahit ako ang tawag ko kay SP Zubiri ganoon pa rin, SP pa rin.
KD: Ganoon pa rin. So hindi ka pa sanay sa “Senate President Escudero”.
CHIZ: Hindi at ako nga mismo ang tawag ko gaya ng sabi ko kay Senator Zubiri ay SP pa rin hanggang ngayon, hanggang noong huling araw namin.
KD: All right. OK, before we get on the details of your leadership you’ve been having press conferences in the last few days and what was interesting to those in the “no” to some sources is in a press conference you admitted or you claimed to initiate the ouster plot against Senate President Zubiri. And, in fact, you even denied that the Palace had a hand in it. I want you to clarify this because in February when coup rumors came out you were disinterested in being Senate President. And sources have said that when it was brought up to you recently you weren’t interested in making a move unless the numbers came and sources have said other Senators were working on the ouster of Zubiri and not you. What happened? Why did you suddenly say that you initiated this ouster plot?
CHIZ: Initiation, Karen, begins with deciding that you want to. And you are correct at that time, earlier this year, I was not interested, although I have concerns myself about the direction that the leadership is taking, especially concerning Charter Change. I was not interested in the additional work. When I say I initiated that was when I decided that I do want to take the leadership helm of the Senate if my colleagues will support me.
KD: OK. But Senate President Escudero, let’s be factual about this, did you initiate the coup, frankly, or were there disgruntled colleagues who initiated the coup and got the numbers for you?
CHIZ: To be fair, Karen, there were a lot of people, there were a lot of talks already, as you said yourself, early this year but somehow the numbers won’t come together to reach a majority. Each individual member had different reasons, had different reasons, for wanting leadership change. And I made the first call on Thursday to one of my colleagues and that’s why I picked that as a date when it started because that was the first time, I called someone, actually, about it.
KD: OK. The reason this is important is we now talk about Malacanang. Former Senate President Zubiri there were outside forces involved. Sources tell us that, in effect, you weren’t interested in the beginning then OK you were interested because the numbers started to grow. But then also that the other leaders supposedly in the running, were not palatable to the Palace and, in effect, you were the only candidate that the Palace wanted.
CHIZ: That’s unfair, Karen because nobody ever accused Senator Zubiri of being a Palace lackey, that he was chosen by the palace to be our Senate President. We always stood up and said we chose him as our Senate President. For him to say now or accused that it is anyone other than him is a Palace lackey would be unfair because the Palace does not even have a vote, Karen, does not even have a vote on this issue. Suffice to say that senators elect the Senate President. And hindi ako nagsisinungaling nang sinabi kong ang unang tawag na ginawa ko ay Huwebes ng linggo bago nung pagpapalit ng Lunes. Puwede ko pa ngang sabihin na ang unang tinawagan ko ay si Senator Bong Revilla at sumunod-sunod na ang iba pagkatapos nun.
KD: Matanong ko lang, ‘no, so nang tinawagan mo ‘yun si Senator Bong Revilla, how many did you have already confirmed?
CHIZ: Wala pa. Siya pa lang.
KD: Are you serious? So, when you made the call Thursday—
CHIZ: —Senator Revilla was the first to express support.
KD: OK. And was Senator Jinggoy Estrada the second? Did you call him too?
CHIZ: I did not call him; it was Senator Revilla who called him up. I called Senator Jinggoy, I think weekend na.
KD: All right. Because sources have also told us that Senator Jinggoy Estrada, technically, worked for the ouster plot?
CHIZ: Well, there was a rumored attempt to before that by Senator Jinggoy, but I was not part of it. Senator Jinggoy did not call me up and I was not contacted and I think I was abroad at that time. So, I was not made aware of it I just heard the rumors after I got back.
KD: I wanted to ask you as, Senate President Escudero, you were there at the “PDEA Leaks” hearing and, actually, you did say that the hearing is already running around in circles. Would you agree with what some experts say that that was the nail in the coffin of former Senate President Zubiri’s leadership?
CHIZ: No. Karen, that’s an unfair accusation not only to me but also to Senator Bato. In fact, Senator Bato was emotional because he made to understand that the reason why there was going to be a leadership change was because of him and because of the hearings. That’s why he was emotional and that’s an unfair statement to make.
You know what I told Senator Bato before the vote? I told him if that is the reason and we have 14 votes without you, I told him. Then why would we even remove Senator Zubiri, we’ll just remove you and get it over and done with it and not go through with this whole exercise, which proves to him that was not the reason. And Karen, did anything change after that? Was Senator Bato removed from the committee? Was the Senator ordered to stop hearing this issue? No difference, no change was made and Senator Bato, in fact, supported the change in leadership in the Senate.
So, I don’t see, ang sagot ko palagi sa mga nag-aakusa ng iba’t ibang rason sa pagpapalit ay ‘yung listahan ng bumoto. Halimbawa, sabi nila dahil daw sa PDEA hearings na gustong ipatigil. Bakit sumuporta sa amin si Senator Bato? Sabi nila, lalahatin ko na, Karen. Sabi nila galaw daw ito ni Speaker Romualdez ‘yung pinaka hindi niya kasundo sa amin na pinsan niya ay sumama rin sa pagpapalit ng liderato. Sabi nila para daw ito sa Cha-Cha. Mas maingay pa yata ako kay Senate President Zubiri sa Cha-Cha at si Senator Villanueva against din at maingay din sa Cha-Cha. Si Senator Imee, si Senator Villar ay bakit nandito sila? Sabi nila ‘yung paa daw ni Senator Revilla. Si Senator Villanueva sang-ayon sa akin na dapat payagan si Senator Revilla, bakit magkaiba kami ng boto kaugnay sa bagay na ‘yan?
So ang daling sagutin, Karen, nung mga haka-haka at alegasyon at kuro-kuro pero maliwanag na makikita sa boto na hindi ‘yun ang dahilan. Sa dulo, ang dahilan, kawalan at kakulangan ng kumpiyansa ng mayorya ng miyembro ng Senado. Ano man ang dahilan nila, personal man o issue nasa kanila na ‘yun, indibidwal ‘yun.
KD: OK.
CHIZ: Sorry kung mahaba.
KD: No. That’s quite interesting that you actually enumerated some of the major issues right and then proved that these senators actually voted for the change in leadership. So, in a general sense, former Senate President Zubiri has always described himself as a consensus builder, as a leader who tried to make everybody in the Senate happy overall. Why do you believe that his colleagues, why did they lose faith in his leadership? Because you were actively against him in February so what was it really in his leadership that already pushed the change?
CHIZ: Well slowly, again Karen, individually each member had their own respective reasons and early this year there was already those murmurs as you said in fact it took quite some time it took 5, 6 months. And secondly, Karen I know he is a consensus builder that is why I was quite surprised that some of his statements pertained to a small group within the Senate. Meron palang ganoon sa loob ng mayorya naming dahil 22 naman kaming sumuporta sa kanya at nagugulat ako biglang may 6 pala o 7 na ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung kanya. For me, there is no such thing. For me walang grupo niya, walang grupo ko lahat kami miyembro ng Senado. In fact, I will go a step further, Majority or Minority pare-parehong miyembrong ng Senado ‘yan at sinabi ko sa aking pagtanggap nung posisyon na pantay ang magiging tingin ko sa kanila. Walang group of 6, walang group of 7, walang Minority, walang Majority. Twenty-four senators ang tingin at pagtrato ko sa bawat isa.
KD: It’s interesting you pointed that out because they labeled themselves as “Magic 7,” I believe ‘no. Parang I don’t know parang the Avengers, I think, or 8 pero like the “Magic 7,” correct me with this, Senate President. I don’t know how many they are but labeling like, terms, like the “Magic 7” was that a factor you believe in why some of your colleagues opted for a change? The behavior of that inclusivity, I mean in that inclusivity?
CHIZ: Well, perhaps that’s one of them, Karen, that was never an issue for me kasi hindi naman ako maganoon, ika nga, mahilig sa mga ganyan. Buo when I look at the Senate as one whole unit, one whole institution and then, all of a sudden, there is such a thing. The question now naturally to be raised as you have is ngayon lang ba ‘yan o matagal na ba ‘yan? Ganoon ba talaga ang pagpapatakbo at pamamalakad kahit noon pa? Para sa akin nga dapat kasi kasama lahat, involved lahat dahil iisang senador lang pwedeng harangan ang pagpasa ng batas. So, para angkinin ko halimbawa, Senate President man o hindi na ito ang nagawa ko at napasa ko mahirap gawin yun dahil kailangan mo ang tulong ng bawat isa kabilang na ang minority para mapasa ang anumang panukalang batas. Because in the Senate, uniquely compared to the House, one Senator can actually block the passage of any bill, of any measure. Unlike in the House where they can run over a singular member given that they are 299 more, in the Senate, the story is different.
KD: OK. Now what kind of Senate president do you want to be?
CHIZ: I don’t know, Karen, I just want to focus on the Senate as an institution. I have no dreams or ambitions of running for higher office as one would usually say or think. Sabi nga nung ibang mga kaibigan ko, game na. Game na saan? Kayo naman tumakbo na tayong vice nga, vice na nga lang talo pa. Tama na. Hanggang dito na lang gawin na lang natin ‘yung magagawa natin dito. So, I guess I will be focused on the Senate, Karen. The institution, the employees, the officials, and the institution to be able to perform and do its job in the best way it can. Both knowing what history is and what has been done in the Senate and made the Senate and what we want to forge the future history of the Senate is.
KD: OK. But what’s your leadership style? I mean as a leader yourself, ‘no. I mean, of course, we heard the term “consensus builder” that’s always the term used even by former Senate presidents. Ano ka ba, diktador ka ba? Listener ka ba? Ikaw ba ‘yung win-win dapat lahat ay masaya? Ano ba? Or because at the end of the day, being the majority you have to tone Malacanang’s priority bills too. So, what are we saying here?
CHIZ: Hindi ko alam kung paano i-describe, Karen, pero sasagutin ko na lang ‘yung mga tanong mo ng isa-isa. Hindi ako Mr. Win-win, poposisyon ako sa isang bagay at ang paniniwala ko libre manghingi basta libreng tumanggi kapag hindi kaya. That is always been me whether as a follower or as a leader. Am I a consensus builder, yes as much as possible I would like to build consensus instead of dictating.
At the end of the day, we are a democracy at ang tingin ko sa sarili ko 1 sa 24. I’m not even considering myself as primus inter pares, someone above equals. No. So I will give you an example, Karen, divorce. My personal position is the version of the House, ‘no. I don’t like it and I’m against it. If they will accept some amendments and change it and I see those changes adopted and probably. Number two, I’m against ROTC but I will not prevent its passage. It’s still the majority of the Senate who will vote on it. So, to cite an example, it’s one of the priority measures, ROTC I’m against it I will most likely vote against it but I will not put it on the back burner, simply because I’m against it and I’m the Senate President that’s not me. That bill was in my committee, Karen. I was chairman of the committee on higher education. Instead of simply forgetting about it and putting it on the back shelf of my committee, I referred it to the subcommittee chaired by Senator Bato. I told him that I’m against it, I will interpolate and I will vote against it when it is put to a vote but it’s not the reason for me to stop the grinding of the legislative mill in so far as that bill is concerned. So that explains my position as the leader of the Senate. My position will not affect any measure I’m against personally.
KD: Okay. I think that is very important thing for viewers to understand is your personal beliefs will not affect the legislative process just because you don’t believe in divorce, just because you don’t believe in the ROTC doesn’t mean uupuan ‘yan ng Senado.
CHIZ: It does not unless the majority of the Senate, Karen, so decides and votes that should be how that bill is treated. But if it’s only me, no, Karen I’ve been in Congress for 21, 23 years. I know how it runs and I’ve spoken against and fought against speakers and Senate presidents that believe that. I’m not going to be something I’ve fought against in the past.
KD: Okay. All right, now an interesting thing sources tell me is—
CHIZ: Dami mo namang sources, grabe.
KD: Oo. One of the disappointments of Malacanang was essentially there were 20 LEDAC bills, priority bills that were still pending in the Senate, and just last month former Senate President Zubiri was going to rush these bills and said that before adjournment he would make sure that all these bills passed. Now, these bills are important to President Marcos Jr. and let’s set the record straight, before the Senate adjourns, how many of the LEDAC bills were passed?
CHIZ: I think about half, Karen.
KD: Only half. Only ten. OK, so you still have 10 that are priority measures of Malacañang that have not passed. Tama po ito, Senate President?
CHIZ: Roughly, Karen because I saw the list only last week. Yes.
KD: OK. I’ll read, I mean just how important these were while the ROTC you mentioned you’re against it but you won’t put it on the back burner, I’ll read some of them itong Anti-Financial Accounts Scamming Act, the VAT on digital services, amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act, Blue Economy Act, Waste Energy Act, etcetera. Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, you know. These aren’t sexy to hear right in the youth but they are not sexy, they are underreported but at the end of the day they are what the president needs. OK? So, under your term, what is your game plan for these measures?
CHIZ: Well, just to clarify, Karen. the first three bills you mentioned were already approved by the Senate namely: the Fishing Act, the Anti-Fishing Act, the Procurement Law, and the VAT on the digital platform also already approved. We are trying to consolidate during the recess, Karen. Those bills, the status of those bills, the priorities of the Senate as an institution, and the priorities of the members individually. When I meet with Speaker Romualdez, I’ll ask him about the priorities of the House as well as the priorities of the individual members of the Congress before we adjourn because we will have a year left and campaign season will start in October. So, I would like to put them all together and come up with a Senate agenda and hopefully present it before the public.
Now, Karen, I’m not fault finding, concerning the fact, that the Senate only passed half of the priority measures of the administration. I’m part of the Senate, whether as a member or now as the Senate President but would rather focus on quality instead of simply churning out bills by way of proof, Karen. There are several bills that have been approved in the bicameral conference committee report and then belatedly brought back in the bicam committee reconvened because there was something that was forgotten. Ayoko ng ganoon it’s half-baked. I don’t want half-baked legislation and I have no plans on that happening during my watch. And I’d rather that these bills go through the process of the legislative mill and answer all possible concerns of various sectors before we finally pass it instead of passing a faulty or defective piece of legislation.
KD: But then I did interview former Senate President Franklin Drilon, (inaudible) four times and he did say you know it is important right that the Senate Presidency supports Malacanang because, if not, nothing will happen right nothing will move. So, he says a partnership somehow that balances for independence and moving towards one goal is important if not, wala nga namang gagalaw. It makes sense. If I were to ask you, Senate President Escudero, what do you believe is the priority that would help this administration for example reach its growth target ‘no. I want to ask you to wait. Number one, for example, the revisions in the Rice Tariffication Law, is that a priority?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen, that is a priority, and during our dinner with the President. I think Senator Villar and the President arrived at an agreement with respect to the version of the bill so that it will make it easier, Karen when we resume. But a priority among the LEDAC measures I believe would be anything that has to do with the economy and on top of that list would be the CREATE Law. The one that seeks to provide and rationalize fiscal incentives that businessmen from all walks of life and different persuasions have been waiting for. And that is something the President has been expecting during some foreign travels and trips to be passed. So, there is something that he can offer for foreign investors to be attracted once again to our country. This is not only, Karen, the administration’s priority bill this is a priority for our economy.
KD: OK. So ang tanong ko Senate President Escudero, kumbaga, napaka-basic naman ‘yon makakatulong sa ekonomiya bakit ‘yon naupuan? Bakit na-delay? When the former leadership could have pushed the Senate na, “let’s prioritize this, ibigay natin ito.”
CHIZ: I don’t know, Karen, but a meeting is already held during our resumption about this matter and Senator Win is on top of it. We did not change Senator Win as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means. So, I guess whatever work he has done on this would only continue hindi magsisimula sa simula ulit and I talked to Senator Win about this. I asked him to finish his hearings and come up with a version so during recess we can compare his version with the suggestions of some of the members. So that if he is willing and to accommodate them then the version, he should present should already contain it to abbreviate the proceedings and to hasten the proceedings. Again, without doing it too fast or for it to be roughshod and for it to be ill-prepared so to speak to answer the changing times from the bill was filed and approved in the House.
KD: OK. So, another one I wanted to ask you is the proposed Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act. Is that a LEDAC priority?
CHIZ: I believe it is, Karen, and it is already I think before the Committee on Energy and they have conducted a hearing on this. We changed the chairperson in the committee it is now Senator Pia Cayetano although there are some concerns about that measure, Karen, again it is not the reason not to pass the bill. It’s just a reason for us to hopefully further improve the bill to promote competition and to ensure that the basic theory behind our energy sector or premarket competition will also be upheld in the natural gas downstream proposal. Because I understand when I read it, because I read that bill, Karen, there are some provisions of concern namely the fact that there is a singular consolidator which does not fit the premarket enterprise and the fact that natural gas will be priority dispatch when it comes to energy use. Why? Simply because it’s expensive, Karen. Why will you make the priority dispatch an expensive source of energy?
KD: So paano ‘yun? That’s very interesting ‘no with ten more bills of the LEDAC pending at the end of the day Malacanang would be hoping at the very least that under your leadership, the other 10 would already pass, is that a guarantee, I mean in the next year? Tama po kayo kapag nagkaroon na ng eleksyon maghihirap na with the filing in October and the Senate will change after elections in 2025 bago na yung mukha ng Senado. So, would you be able to pass the 10? Are you guaranteeing that?
CHIZ: There is no guarantee, Karen, but we will strive to do it together with the priority measures of the Senate, the House, and the individual members. Karen, just to clarify, once the new Congress sets sail in 2025, we start from scratch. If these bills are not passed on third and final reading and ratified by both houses before we adjourn sine die in 2025, then it has to be refiled in the next Congress. It will start from scratch again.
KD: OK. So, let’s go back to, now that you’ve given the landscape ‘no you’ll be starting from scratch and let’s assume that there may be new faces, maybe perhaps coming from the opposition, right who may win, who knows right in the 2025 Elections. Let’s talk about Charter Change. You have been very vocal from the very beginning against Charter Change. Your position has been very clear, then RBH 6 only wants the phrase, unless otherwise provided by law. Where do you stand now when it comes to that? So first, let’s start with the People’s Initiative. Is it fair to say you won’t support that as well as the Senate President?
CHIZ: Definitely, Karen. People’s initiative for Congress to vote as one not, Karen.
KD: Kasi sinabi ni Zubiri na with you as Senate President, ito ang term niya “double dead na ang Cha-Cha.” Would that be accurate? When he left, you took over double dead na daw ang Cha-Cha.
CHIZ: Well, double dead perhaps because he knows I’m against the RBH 2 and he is for it.
KD: OK. ‘Yun lang ‘yun?
CHIZ: If you remember, even Senator Angara is the one chairing it in the last hearing Senator Zubiri, Legarda, and Angara attended that hearing. I think that’s where he is coming from when he said “double dead.”
KD: OK, but RBH 6 for example wherein only economic changes. That’s what Malacanang is requesting for. How do you move forward with that as the Senate President?
CHIZ: Malacanang is not requesting that, Karen. I don’t believe it’s part of LEDAC, I don’t believe it’s part of priority measures because there is an answer to that, Karen. Number one, in so far as the media is concerned, I don’t think it will be earth-changing if we approve that. Because I can see and watch BBC and CNN inside my bedroom. So, what gives and what will change? Number two, in so far as educational institutions are concerned, they want to limit higher education. But there is already a law allowing foreign educational institutions to set up shop here in conjunction with a loan with local schools on certain courses and certain degrees. In fact, the provision, of the proposal wants to limit it to higher education only but we have BSM, we have ISM, and we have international schools here already by DEPED circular allowing foreign schools to operate in the country. You have Faith-Hill Academy so what’s this all about I don’t quite understand it, Karen, and ano pa ‘yung isang binabago nila—
KD: Advertising.
CHIZ: Isa pa, ‘yung advertising, (inaudible) earth-shaking most of the content for advertising is shot abroad and done abroad. It’s done in the cloud; it’s done digitally it’s not even territorial sensitive and I have yet to see any data that if we do pass this will be earth-changing concerning our economy. Now the last thing they want to change concerning public services, opening it up there is already a law too. All of that, Karen, has been questioned and pending before the Supreme Court.
KD: Exactly. So, they said with the amendments to that law someone said it is not enough because if you are a foreigner why would you want to invest in the Philippines if there is a petition before the Supreme Court, I mean that is a fair comment.
CHIZ: They should follow up with the Supreme Court because it has been pending for quite some time there and if their priority is legislative measures then I think the president should do well to convene perhaps the JELAC before if you remember. The Judiciary, Executive Legislative Advisory Council to find out and get a list of pending cases that the Executive and Legislative would like results before this matter. I will give another example, Karen, there is a petition questioning the unprogrammed fund of the 2024 budget. So anong mangyayari kapag ni-release na ng DBM ‘yan wala namang TRO. So, there are some priority decisions the Supreme Court must make, if at all. So, it’s nice to talk about those things because that will be easier and more painless than this one.
KD: Now, the Philippine Constitution has been cited as one of the most restrictive in ASEAN and number three globally among 83 nations. So, I wanted to ask you, do you believe that is a factor and why we are challenged with foreign direct investments and the growth in our economy?
CHIZ: Karen, this was discussed in the first hearing of RBH6. If you ask the DTI, if you ask DOF, the number one reason, Karen, why foreign investment isn’t pouring into the country is the cost of power. It’s too expensive, Karen. Number two is because of the red tape. Number three would be corruption. Opening a restrictive provision would not even be in the top five. I even doubt if it’s even in the top ten of reasons they have.
One of the complaints for example of BPOs is the numerous holidays we have that they must pay double because the holiday is here, they have no relation whatsoever with the BPO industry which is using the time abroad. So, there’s so many other complaints Karen really, and all of the surveys never showed. The restrictive provisions of the charter are the reason. Karen, I’ve always said this in the past. The number one reason why Charter Change hasn’t worked really is because people doubt the real intentions of those behind it. So, people always think there’s a political reason for doing it. So quite frankly if that is true, if that were true, I think the best solution is to simply come out with what you want and let the people decide on it. Kaysa ‘yung nagpapasakalye kung saan-saan pinapadaan na ask any economist, Karen, hindi naman talaga kailangan ‘to.
So, try to understand why and what for because I have no problems with any political changes Karen being proposed as long as it’s what you see is what you get and let the people decide. Kaysa na umikot-ikot tayo ng ganito at sayang ‘yung emosyon, ‘yung oras at ‘yung panahon. That’s why I’m yet to be convinced because this is indeed necessary and I’m willing to listen to Karen and be convinced.
KD: Well, I don’t have an opinion on it but let me just read to you a speech that was given by former Finance Secretary Gary Teves. I’m going to read it and you can reply, right? So, he said, the Philippines is the most restrictive in ASEAN, and Vietnam which has made substantial liberalization is the least restrictive. So, Vietnam is the least restrictive hence growth in direct foreign investments and he cited this. We have constitutional restrictions in many areas of the economy including agriculture, mining, construction transport, media, and telecommunications which may not be a game changer but he mentions big ones: agriculture mining, construction, and transport, right? So, then he supports the move to liberalize these areas. He said to remove those from the constitution. We are the only country in ASEAN and perhaps the entire world with those restrictions in the constitution. What do you think?
CHIZ: I respect, Manong Gary, Karen but I think that’s an over-simplistic view of things. I will give you an example. Let’s use Vietnam. We have about 20,000mw of power and power is expensive. Vietnam is about over 60,000 megawatts with a population less than the Philippines. And we’re putting a cap at 25% reserved. Why can’t it be 200% reserved because of more supply, and less demand?
KD: Ano ‘yung sa Vietnam? Ano ‘yung reserved?
CHIZ: I’m sorry.
KD: I’m curious. May cap tayo 25%.
CHIZ: Wala silang reserved cap kaya nga umabot sila ng 60,000 kahit hindi pa nila ginagamit. Dahil sobra ‘yung power nila, mura rin ‘yung kuryente nila. Why isn’t anyone, Karen, talking about that? Because for the past twenty years the number one reason given by a foreign investor is the cost of power.
Now the medium-term development plan of energy plan does not even make mention of targeting lower cost. It speaks of sustainability and enough sources and supply never affordable. Even the amendments of EPIRA which is part of LEDAC did not talk about lowering power but providing enough supply. Bakit hindi natin pag-usapan ‘yung murang kuryente? ‘Yan ang numero unong concern hindi lamang ng foreign investors, pero higit pa ng mga Pilipino mismo na nagkakanda-kuba na sa pagbabayad ng mahal na presyo ng kuryente and yet were putting a cap on our reserved sa 25%. Why wouldn’t we want a 200% reserved na sobra-sobra? Who wouldn’t want that?
I don’t get it. I don’t understand that and I had a long to deliver with the DOE and ERC in the last hearing of Senator Tulfo about this. So, while I do respect Secretary Gary Teves it is not a one-track thing that opening up will provide the cure for all of the concerns of the investors. The number one as I said and he knows this because he became finance secretary. The number one concern has always been the reliability and affordability of power in the country. That’s why Karen up to today we don’t have a steel industry. Sa mahal ng presyo ng kuryente kaya ng nagkandalugi-lugi na lang ang national steel natin nap ag-aari ng gobyerno. And if you want to talk about that then we’re the only country without the steel processing mill in the world perhaps.
KD: I’m curious. Well, that’s a whole other topic.
CHIZ: That is another episode, Karen.
KD: Yes, but very quickly before we go to a commercial break because I’ll be asking you about the other issues. Just very quickly, right now there’s a moratorium on coal-fired power plants. And that moratorium started during the time of former President Duterte I believe right. I wouldn’t know if Vietnam has a moratorium on coal. But do you believe that should be lifted?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen. All renewables are called—the DOE itself calls renewable solar, wind, and VREs (variable renewable energy) meaning it’s not baseload, it’s not reliable. And you need about 20% worth of baseload to bring in, to magnetize, to attract the renewables. So, for every 1,000mw of renewable, you need about 200mw of baseload coming from either LNG, or coal, if we have nuclear, hydro which is baseload.
By pursuing, Karen, I’ll be brief about it. By pursuing renewables, Karen, we are simply increasing the need for baseload which we are not providing for. And that is why we are providing ancillary services. What are ancillary services? These are (inaudible) by the power that you require NGCP for example to have that you require distribution utilities to have which is going back to the old regime of the take-or pay-clause. Gamitin o hindi, bayaran mo. Simply because we don’t have enough supply. Why? ERC and DOE do not process or take agreements that would have given investors enough leeway to be able to get financing to build whatever plant they want to build.
At the end of the day, coal-fired power plants still cost about P2-4 per kilowatt hour compared to renewables which are about P6-10, and P6-8 per kilowatt hour. Now, we should want both reliable and affordable power. Not simply reliable, we should be both. Sorry for the litany.
KD: No, it’s okay your position is clear. We are going for a quick break. When we return, we will talk about committee chairmanships. The bloc that supported former Senate President Zubiri is only that we will also talk about divorce when we return.
KD: Welcome back to “Headstart.” we are still joined by Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero. Senate President Chiz Escudero, the 7 senators who supported what the so-called “Magic Seven” who supported former Senator President Zubiri said they are still with the majority bloc, is this correct?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen, because only two members after my election by acclamation only two members, namely, Senators Koko and Risa manifested that they had abstained.
KD: OK, so nag-usap na ba ‘yung pito kumbaga nagdesisyon na sila na that they will stay with the majority? Ganoon ba ‘yon, Sir?
CHIZ: Hindi ko alam, but every member, Karen, is free to manifest anytime that they are aligning themselves to the Minority, they are aligning themselves with the Majority, vice versa. They can do that anytime, Karen.
KD: Oo kung paano kung magdesisyon sila independent sila?
CHIZ: Then they will remain part of the Majority, Karen, for purposes of appropriating committee memberships kasi ‘yon ang maaapektuhan ng Minority at Majority dapat proportionately represented ang Minority sa kada committee. If they will remain in the Majority, then the proportion representation won’t change as in the term of Senate President Zubiri. It will only change if the minority increases and the majority decreases. The same is true for all committees including the Commission on Appointments.
KD: So, what’s interesting is the committee chairmanships, for example sinabi niyo nga nung ‘yun na hindi naman lahat, hindi marami ang magbabago and I want to point out something. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, is that correct, didn’t support or vote for you as Senate President, correct?
CHIZ: Yes.
KD: And yet you kept him at Ways and Means.
CHIZ: And Basic Education, Karen.
KD: And those are two very powerful committees. So, if another Senate President would have given that to somebody who voted for him what did you keep Senator Sherwin in Ways and Means, which is a very powerful committee, and Basic Education?
CHIZ: To begin with Karen, he did not resign. So why would I replace him? Unlike the other members of the Senate who have part of the leadership of Senate President Zubiri, they resigned from their committee chairmanships. However, in the case of Senator JV Ejercito, he still got his Committee on Local Government back, still.
KD: So, number one because he didn’t resign, you can’t replace him.
CHIZ: What is the point in—no, we can because, Karen, again, I view everyone as a member of the Senate. No majority, meaning there’s a lot of work to be done. It’s difficult to change the captain’s ministry.
KD: OK but would you say that if the others didn’t resign, you wouldn’t have changed that too? I mean a powerful change would be Sonny Angara from Finance and now it’s Senator Grace Poe.
CHIZ: Probably, Karen. We would have discussed it but they chose that pact, Karen. and must respect it too. It’s not a question of him wanting to change him, it’s more a question of them wanting to choose that pact and standing based on what they believe in. And I accept it and respect it. I didn’t argue with them.
KD: So why do you think is that, that’s quite interesting usually when there’s a change if you resign. Why do you think did Senator Sherwin Gatchalian leave his committee chairmanships, did you talk?
CHIZ: When I found out he did not resign I simply spoke to him on the floor and told him if he is still interested in keeping your committee, I have no problems with it. Yes, I am so I mean, Karen, it’s nothing person, it’s nothing meant to remove someone and install someone, it’s not.
KD: It’s also if somebody is good at her job, right? So, another thing I want to point out. So, the Local Government is back to Senator JV Ejercito that’s one. And very interesting is Senator Raffy Tulfo is in two very powerful committees. He was already in the Energy and the Public Services committee which I know some Senators were after that committee. You gave it to Senator Raffy Tulfo, that’s correct?
CHIZ: Yes. Principally, Karen, because Public Services include transportation and the number one advocacy of Senator Tulfo. There are two main advocacies of Senator Tulfo, as you very well know, if you watch his programs: migrant workers and the transport sector. And transport happens to be part of Public Services. Hindi siya nakahiwalay na Committee on Transport. And that’s the main reason why we gave it to him.
KD: What do you believe is the biggest change, I mean interesting so your new majority floor leader is Senator Francis Tolentino, right?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen. I can give him a role in the position especially because he’s a lawyer and he can learn the ropes perhaps quite fast.
KD: Why did you choose him?
CHIZ: Una sa lahat, Karen, wala usually may gusto niyan. In the case of Senate President Zubiri he offered that position to me. I said, no. Not that Senator Villanueva was a second choice, he was a very good choice because we both serve as minority leaders in the House of Representatives but hindi naman lahat may gusto nun. And in fact, if Senator Villanueva resigns, I would have been willing to work with him because he’s a good friend, Karen.
KD: Bakit nabago ‘yon? I see.
CHIZ: But again, they resigned and I respected their position and it’s not for me to try to change it given that they made that position very public.
KD: But then did Senate Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda really resign? I mean I saw that part where she is willing to stay.
CHIZ: I think she was kidding Karen but yes, she did.
KD: And now that position is now held by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, right?
CHIZ: Yes.
KD: Here is another question for you. You said it’s important to mend ties with the House first. Have you spoken with House Speaker Martin Romualdez already?
CHIZ: I spoke to him on the phone last Wednesday and he congratulated me. That was the first time I spoke to him about this and he asked and I asked too first to meet, to discuss concerns within the House and the Senate but that hasn’t happened yet, Karen. I expect that to happen Karen within this week.
KD: So, I think to close is, are you pressured somehow because seeing what you saw of how former Senate President Zubiri was ousted? Here you must balance the interests of different sectors right. Your leadership wants an independent Senate and there’s also Malacanang’s agenda and you’re right the agenda of your colleagues too. There are bills that they want to pass. So that takes time too. I mean how are you feeling? I mean in the sense of maturing that at the very least you stay as Senate President until the end of President Marcos Jr.’s term?
CHIZ: As I told you, Karen, off air 100/60 ang blood pressure ko. So, I’m not pressured. Number two, I have no ambitions beyond this, Karen. So, I have less pressure so far as that is concerned. I am not comparing myself to anyone else. I’m just talking about myself. And number three, I’m not afraid to lose this position either. So, I will do what I think is best, I’ll do what I think is right, I’ll do what I believe, I should do and let God take care of the rest because I’ve held positions before that I’ve lost too simply because I stood for what I believe in. I don’t say any reason to change who I am and that regard. I’ve been in Congress for 23 years, Karen. I’ve been in government for a total of 26 years. Matanda na tayo idadamay na kita. Matanda na tayo hindi na ‘to larong bata o eksperimento pa. We already know who we are and what we should be doing and we should also know anything can happen especially in politics. And it’s not a peak of the field better or bad about it, it’s just reality and a fact and the facts of life.
KD: Before we go, I mean we don’t have enough time but you made an unpopular statement. Well, sa social media at least when you said those that say, I’m rephrasing, those that say Alice Guo is not a Filipino the burden of proof is with them. And you know what is the point of how unpopular Alice Guo is, right? So why did you make that statement? I mean it’s quite unpopular with the netizens, right? In the comments why did you put yourself out there and say they must prove she’s not a Filipino? Anong dahilan?
CHIZ: Kasi that was the law says.
KD: Kasi you could have taken a safer stand on that issue.
CHIZ: Karen, you’ve known me for quite some time. As I said earlier, libreng manghingi kung anong gusto at kailangan basta libreng tumanggi. I was asked a question, “What do you think, you think she’s a Chinese citizen, I said I don’t know.” But under the law, if you’re alleging that one is not you should prove it and I cited the case for example of Senator Grace Poe who was a foundling who didn’t know who were parents were. She was being accused of being an American at that time and they wanted her to be disqualified. The ruling of the Supreme Court was he who alleges must prove it and if they cannot prove it in the meantime, she is presumed to be Filipino and to have citizenship because a child cannot be deprived of citizenship. I simply answered the ruling of the court. It is not meant to favor; it’s simply meant to state a fact in law na ‘yon yung sitwasyon ng batas natin. Ngayon kung umamin tapos na, kung hindi mapaamin sinabi ko rin ‘yan, Karen. If they want to question a qualification then the Solicitor-General should file a case. It’s only the solicitor general who can question. COMELEC has no power anymore over her given the fact that she has been proclaimed. Wala ng kapangyarihan ang COMELEC dun.
KD: Ang mahirap sa sitwasyon niya kasi, may Philippine passport.
CHIZ: Exactly, the point Karen. May pumalpak somewhere. If she’s truly Chinese, someone fouled up, somewhere. And given that these documents then a basic principle in law will apply again. He or she who alleges must prove the same. If you’re alleging that you’re this, you’re that, you’re that then I have to prove that this, you’re that, you’re that as basic as that, Karen. Not meant to favor again because I think her lawyer has advised that already. I think her lawyer said that already too that it should be prove it but right now she is. So, someone can file a case before the office of the ombudsman with respect to her illegal participation in POGO so that perhaps she can be preventively suspended. But the DILG Sec. Abalos said that they have no power to suspend on their own. I dispute that but I will take Sec. Abalos’ words for that.
KD: So technically, do you believe the DILG can already suspend her?
CHIZ: If there is a pending administrative case against her, they can issue a preventive suspension order. If you remember, Karen, the DILG was suspended then Governor Aguinaldo of Cagayan, three times overlapping consecutively in the Supreme Court, and no you cannot do that. You can suspend him, yes but it cannot be consequential. It must be overlapping since you issued the order at the same time. So, but the point is the DILG at that time and to today has that power if she has an administrative case. I think that’s the essential requirement. So, in the statement of Sec. Abalos perhaps there’s no admin case pending against him.
KD: On that note, I want to thank you for joining me today and a discussion isn’t over. There’s still a lot to talk about but thank you and good luck to you, Sir. Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, thank you.
CHIZ: Thank you, Karen. Good morning to our televiewers.