KAREN DAVILA (KD): All right, joining us on Hot Copy this morning, we have with us to kick off the week, it’s a privilege to have him back, Philippine Senate President Francis Escudero. Senate President, I apologize for the technical difficulties, that’s coming from our end. Thank you for being with us this morning.
SENATE PRESIDENT FRANCIS ‘CHIZ’ G. ESCUDERO (CHIZ): Karen, good morning. To all of our televiewers, a pleasant morning. Pasensya sa sipon tsaka sa gym outfit.
KD: OK, all right. Mr. Senate President, once again, we are experiencing a low-pressure area today and several cities in Metro Manila are feeling it. It’s also the start of school. A few days ago, the President asked for a review of the flood control project. Saan daw ito napunta? Paano ginamit? I know you are calling for an investigation. Can you give us the points exactly on what kind of information do you want in terms of this investigation?
CHIZ: Well, number one, where are the flood control projects, Karen? Especially in the areas affected. I’ll give you an example, in Rizal, we spent about P8-B for the past two years on flood control. In Metro Manila and Bulacan, we spent P25-M a year, more or less, in flood control projects. So, the question is, where did it go? Was it able to accomplish if any? At dapat ma-identify natin ‘yung mga binabahang lugar at bakit binaha ‘yon? These are very simple and commonsensical questions, Karen, that need to be addressed. Kaya nga pinanawagan ko sa kasagsagan nung bagyo, mag-ikot, mag-inspect, ang DPWH, ang MMDA, tsaka mga LGU para makita’t malaman ano nga ba ‘yung problema at nagbaha? Madalas binabanggit ay baradong drainage system, bakit hindi naglinis ang mga LGU at MMDA alam naman na nila ‘yan. Madalas sinasabi nasira ‘yung gate, ‘yung gate sa Navotas. Karen, ilang buwan ng sira ‘yan bakit hindi nila ginawan ng paraan ilang linggo matapos masira? Ngayon, nagbaha, doon pa lamang nila sasabihin, “Ay sira nga pala ‘yan.” That should not be the case anymore. Ika nga, Karen, hindi na dapat puwede ‘yung puwede na.
KD: OK. Now you gave out figures in the last few days. P255-B you cited was allocated for the DPWH in flood control projects for 2024. You’ve said it’s larger than other sectors comparing it to irrigation and the capital outlay for DA. But it’s also bigger than the budget of actual agencies. Pero ipaliwanag niyo po sa amin kung P255-B for 2024 does this mean, Mr. Senate President, hindi pa ito ‘yung nagastusan na?
CHIZ: Well, hindi pa Karen. Dahil hindi pa lahat siguro ng flood control projects ay na buildout at na-implement na. We will be finding that out through the committee of Senator Bong Revilla who chairs the Committee on Public Works and Highways. At Karen, magiging focus ng hearing na ito, is not only blaming people or blaming agencies—the focus will be solutions. Ano ba ‘yung kailangang gawin? Paano ba makakatulong ang Senado para magawa ‘yan? Para hindi na muling mangyari pa na may kaunting ulan—sabihin na nating mas marami ‘yung ulan kaysa sa Ondoy, marami man sa Ondoy o hindi, hindi dapat nangyayari ito, Karen. Na ni hindi bagyo, ipo-postpone namin ang lahat, ‘yung ahensiya ng pamahalaan at serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan.
KD: Oo. Now, Mr. Senate President, in the years that have passed, is there consistently a budget for flood control every single year?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen. I mean consistently, too, for the past five years at least that I’ve seen. I only looked back that far, Karen, because I was governor two years ago. For the past five years, Karen, the answer will be yes. In fact, the budget for flood control has exceeded the budget for the entire agriculture sector in the past five years. Isa ‘yan sa mga inireklamo ko sa Budget noong nagdaang taon, dalawang taon. In fact, I was still questioning the Budget for 2022, for 2023 and 2024.
KD: OK. Another issue is the issue of management. We’ve seen several pumping stations, you had Toby Tiangco posting it on his Instagram, puno ng basura ‘yung ilang pumping stations. Nalungkot po siya. And also, in other cities too. Pero ang tanong ng ordinaryong mamamayan, sino po ba ang in charge talaga sa mga pumping stations? Because how many pumping stations do we have all over Metro Manila? I’m presuming it must be in the hundreds, at least, because Navotas daw has 81, Valenzuela has 32. Who is in charge, Sir?
CHIZ: Karen, I’ll use as basis, kanino ba ibinibigay ‘yung budget para sa repair ng pumping station at paggawa ng pumping station? ‘Yan ay ibinibigay, first priority sa MMDA, pangalawa ay DPWH. So ang responsible diyan ay, principally, MMDA dahil nasa Metro Manila ‘yan. Pangalawa, ang problema at isyu ng basura ay problema din ng MMDA at ng LGU, secondarily. So ang priority, Karen, ay the MMDA.
But if you remember, Karen, sometime in March, I already made a call maghanda na tayo sa La Nina dahil reklamo tayo nang reklamo sa El Nino wala naman tayong ginawa noong panahon ng El Nino para maghahanda sa La Nina. Bakit basura pa rin ‘yung problema? Napakadali sanang linisin ‘yang basurang ‘yan habang tag-init o mataas ‘yung sikat ng araw at hindi umuulan tulad ngayon.
Sa aming lalawigan, Karen, at sa maraming lalawigan sa bansa, ang mga governor ay naglilinis ng mga ilog, ng mga kanal sa panahon ng summer para sa gayon, pagdating ng tag-ulan ay hindi malala ang baha sa aming mga lugar at probinsiya. Bakit hindi nagagawa ‘yan dito po sa Metro Manila kung saan bilyon-bilyon ang budget ng mga local government units? Maliit na bagay lang naman. May TUPAD pa ang DOLE para magbigay ng trabaho sa mga ka-barangay para maglinis ng drainage systems natin. Hindi ko maunawaan at maintindihan bakit hindi nagawa ‘yan sa tinagal-tagal ng El Nino na dinanas natin.
KD: Oo. So ang MMDA is in charge of maintaining, ‘no? Tama ito, maintaining and repairing the pumping stations. So, with what we’ve seen, is it right to say that, frankly, the MMDA didn’t do its job?
CHIZ: Well, the MMDA is still sleeping on the job, Karen. Not only that, hindi lang naman punong basura, may mga sirang pumping station. Ang tanong, ilang buwan ba ang kailangan para ma-repair ‘yan? Hindi ba dapat emergency purchase na ‘yan? Kailangan pa ba mag-declare ng state of calamity bago bumili sa isang bidding at procurement at repair nila niyan? When the President inspected Navotas and the Valenzuela, they saw that the pumping stations were not working. Bakit ganoon? Kailan pa ba sira ‘yan at kailan ba nila nalaman na sira ‘yan at gaano katagal napanahon na ba mayroon sila pare-repair ‘yan? These are some of the questions that need to be answered and if they need faster ways of procurement, then we will help them do that.
KD: Oo. Now, Mr, Senate President, do you think with what we’ve seen with climate change worsening, the flooding worsening, the weather being more unpredictable compared to the last few years, do we need another agency to handle flooding? As we know, there’s an agency for migrant workers, now there’s been also a lobby for an agency on water alone. Do you think we need an agency that will just focus on our flood control?
CHIZ: Not on flooding, Karen. I believe the Department of Water should be able to address this. Hopefully, within the year, we will be able to create the Department of Water that the administration is asking for and, hopefully, we will be able to integrate and through convergence, be able to use water that we don’t need during flooding or water that we need during El Nino episodes in our country.
Ang pinakamalungkot kasing kuwento, Karen, hindi ba ng El Nino wala tayong tubig? Tigang ang mga magsasaka, kulang ‘yung produkto na napo-produce sa ating bansa. Kapag panahon naman ng La Nina, tag-ulan, ‘yung mga dam natin, aba, biglang nagre-release ng sobra-sobrang tubig. Kaysa masira ‘yong dam para magbaha naman sa mga kanayunan at bayan-bayan, we must be able to rationalize water, be able to utilize it where it’s needed, bring it where it’s needed and take it from where it is in excess. Mapa-dam man ‘yan, mapa-baha man ‘yan, mapa-sobrang ulan man ‘yan sa isang lugar.
We are patterning it after, Karen, ‘yung transmission with the NGCP. Kung kaya na natin dalhin mula Luzon papuntang Visayas, mula Visayas papuntang Mindanao, at Mindanao papuntang Visayas, dapat sana ‘yung tubig ganoon din. Para kapag nag-over sa Luzon, madala natin sa ibang lugar na kinakailangan ‘to.
Ito ang long-term vision siguro at plano tungkol sa tubig na dapat nating tingnan sa pamamagitan ng Department of Water. Hindi lamang para sa baha, hindi lamang para sa irigasyon, pero tubig din para mainom at magamit sa kada bahay sa ating bansa.
KD: OK. So would you say, Mr. Senate President, that the formation of the Department of Water is one of the priorities under your leadership? Because in the past Congress, under different leadership, clearly, the President has already mentioned the Department of Water at hindi po ito natupad at hindi na ipasa.
CHIZ: Yes, Karen. To say the least at the latest within the year, hopefully, fingers-crossed, before we go on recess in October, before October.
KD: OK, all right. So that’s, that’s, something that you are here. Number two, Senator Imee Marcos, in an interview, said I’m just quoting these figures, I don’t know if you’ve checked them, she said a total of P450-B was already given to flood control. That means we are spending, as a country, P1.5-B a day. Ang tanong ko, Mr. President, what about the issue, possibly of corruption, when it comes to spending flood control?
CHIZ: I don’t think it’s that amount for a year, probably for two years, Karen. Pero the amount is still staggering, make no mistake about it. It is still staggering and it comes as a shock to a lot of people, especially given the output, parang wala naman tayong naramdaman. Ang sinasabi ng PAGASA, mas marami daw ‘yung rainfall ngayon kumpara sa Ondoy. Fine, pero hindi naman ibig sabihin nun ay ‘yung baha kasing taas o mas mataas pa sa mga nagdaang panahon.
On the corruption angle, Karen, that will be looked into, definitely, especially in the individual flood control project. But, as I said, that would not be a solution. The solution would be, are these projects actually needed in the areas? Senator Villanueva, for example, has been complaining from day one in Bulacan. Nasa master plan kasi, kada flood control project, galing sa mayor, galing sa congressman. Hati-hati naman, hiwa-hiwalay baka ni hindi magkakadugtong ‘yan at baka ni walang plano. Karen, we should start from the natural drainage system of nature itself: galing sa bundok, pababa sa mga ilog, palabas sa dagat. Basic at simple commonsensical pa nga pero bakit hindi nangyayari ‘yon? Tingnan at pag-aralan natin, ano ba ‘yung mga balakid ano ba ‘yong mga problema na nasira natin ‘yong mga natural drainage system ng ating kapaligiran. Ano ba ‘yung nabago? Paano ba natin mabalik at paano ba natin ma-improve? Sa dulo, Karen, itong tubig na ito, dapat lumalabas doon sa dagat. Ang galing sa taas dapat lumabas sa dagat. Ang galing sa bundok dapat lumabas sa dagat.
KD: Pero hindi ‘yon ang nangyayari. Ang itanong ko, is there even a master plan, a Metro Manila flood control master plan?
CHIZ: Well, I saw an interview of President Marcos, I think this was before the campaign, Karen. According to him, four major waterways could be built in Metro Manila in order for the flooding to be addressed. According to him, in that interview, which we will find out in this hearing, three of those flood control projects were completed during the term of his father, then President Ferdinand Marcos. Only one remains which is in Paranaque na hindi pa raw nagagawa hanggang ngayon at inuunti-unti nila. Puwes panahon na. Huwag nating inuunti-unti ‘yan tapusin na natin agad-agad. Kung kinakailangang hatiin ‘yang proyektong ‘yan, ipa-exempt natin sa GPP at DBM, i-splitin natin ‘yung project para tatlo, apat na kontratista ang gumawa niyan kung ganoon kalaki ‘yung project, upang sa gayon, magawa ‘yan bago sa susunod na tag-ulan.
KD: So, are you saying that we still have a flood control project, the third one that has not been done? It’s over fifty years now.
CHIZ: The fourth one, Karen.
KD: Over fifty years?
CHIZ: According that interview, Karen, yes. But you have to understand too, Karen, that’s the problem with government, there’s no continuity. Lalo na ko nag-away ‘yung nakaupo sa sumunod na administrasyon. Lahat ng plano ng administration tapon ‘yan, lagay sa cabinet ‘yan, iselyo ‘yan at lagyan ng susi. At lumipas ‘yung panahon, siyempre, may kanya-kanyang ideya ‘yung mga bagong talagang kalihim at secretary kung paano resolbahan ang problema o baka ‘yung panahong ‘yon wala namang kasing tinding baha so nakalimutan na rin.
Karen, that is one of the major issues our government should correct and review, continuity. Kaya nga imbes na magpanukala noon pa ng ilang mga sektor, dapat may mga departamento na career ang mga kalihim. Hindi dapat lahat ng mga secretary ay political appointees kabilang nadiyan halimbawa ang DPWH, DOTR, DOH na wala naman dapat kinalaman sa pulitika. Pero syempre DILG, Department of Finance, Department of National Defense, ‘di sige coterminus ng presidente ‘yan. Parang Foreign Affairs lamang, Karen, may mga posting na career, may mga posting na political kabilang diyan, siyempre, major allies natin dapat talaga may trust and confidence ng pangulo ‘yan. Pero ‘yung ibang mga posisyon, ibang mga departamento to provide continuity and mostly importantly, Karen, institutional memory. Para alam nila bakit nga ba nangyayari ‘to, ba’t hindi nangyari ito? Ano ba ang dapat gawin ngayon? Ito hindi umubra dati, ‘wag na natin subukan at sayang lang oras. We’re sorry lacking government right now.
KD: All right. Now, Mr. Senate President, what about the reclamation activities in Manila Bay? Some senators including your predecessor, former Senate President Migz Zubiri, they blame it hard for the flooding in Metro Manila. Will this be tackled in the hearing or should this be under the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee? Ano po?
CHIZ: There are no allegations of corruption, Karen, so I doubt if it will be part of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing. There are no pending resolutions either. Number two, this is not a DPWH project, Karen. This was approved by PRA and by the DENR and by the local government unit of Pasay, since mostly are in Manila Bay. So, this would not be under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.
They are free, any member Karen, is free to file a corresponding resolution on this. However, Karen, let me add that the President has suspended for over two months, I think, or nearly three months, these reclamation projects for it to be reviewed. I believe some reclamation projects are still held (inaudible) and are still suspended and only a couple or three of them have been allowed to proceed. So, we don’t know if it is the ill effects of those who have been suspended still or those who have been allowed to continue. But these matters, Karen, would be outside of the jurisdiction of the issue of flood control and the DPWH. If at all, it would be a totally separate resolution, although nothing prevents a senator, Karen, from bringing it up. But the resource persons might not be able to answer sufficiently.
KD: OK. Mr. Senate President, when are you expecting to commence the hearing with the DPWH?
CHIZ: Tomorrow, Karen.
KD: Tomorrow, magsisimula na bukas.
CHIZ: According to Senator Revilla, who chairs the committee, it will be tomorrow, Karen.
KD: OK, and it’s perfect also because there’s a low pressure area now. So, we might be experiencing more rain in the coming days.
CHIZ: Well, sana, Karen, ‘di ma-postponement ang trabaho bukas dahil diyan.
KD: Oo ‘yun nga. OK, I’m going to shift a bit, shifting gears now. You recently attended, I believe it was an event with a Chinese Embassy, and some have said that after the West Philippine Sea issue, this is the first event wherein a high-level official, such as yourself, has actually attended a Chinese Embassy event and we wanted to know what was discussed in the event. Right now, China issued a statement, the Embassy said, that the Philippines mischaracterized the so-called agreement when it comes to the resupply missions in Ayungin Shoal. Anong napag-usapan niyo, Mr. Senate President?
CHIZ: Wala, Karen. It was a completely and purely social event celebrating the anniversary of the PLA, The People’s Liberation Army, the counterpart of our AFP. Invited were officials from the Foreign Affairs department, as well as officials from the AFP, and some members of Congress were there too.
Karen, para sa akin, ito ‘yung pagkakataon na puwede na ating pagkasunduan at hindi pag-awayan, hindi mag-debate at hindi mag-away. Siguro, ang sikreto padamihin natin ‘yung mga ganitong pagkakataon na hindi binibitiwan ‘yung ating karapatan sa karagatan na ‘yan.
Pangalawa, I don’t so much listen to how the Chinese Embassy describes whatever agreements our government and they’re into theirs. I’d rather listen to our version, bersyon ni Pangulong Marcos, bersyon ng DFA, bersyon ng DND. Kasi nga, we have to understand we both have domestic audiences—both side, China and US. And of course, even if they watch the same even if they watch the same movie even if they watch the same play when they come out, they’ll have two separate interpretations and takes on the same movie and the same play, and let’s give it to them. What’s important is an agreement was arrived at however which way this will be characterized by either party to suit their domestic audience is fine by me. But neither will I comment nor increase possible tensions, debate, or disagreement based on whatever they say to suit their domestic audience.
KD: OK, all right. Now, the legislative agenda of the President, clearly, he has some priority agenda. Number one, you’ve already said that the Department of Water is one of yours as well you want that already passed by October at least. And you’ve already said that the Senate, under your leadership, will prioritize the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act because you’ve said the Senate is unanimous and unbending in defending the country’s independence. Where is the Senate now when it comes to the Maritime Zone and Sea Lanes Act and what do you think can this do for what we as a country are fighting for when China does not recognize the arbitral ruling anyway?
CHIZ: We are in bicam, Karen, for the Maritime Bill and we are already on the last interpolator for the Sea Lanes Bill. We are asking Malacanang to certify the Sea Lanes Bill, so that we can move on to the second and third reading on the same day. This is important, Karen, because this will bind the Philippines, not only the Philippines but future presidents and officials. Hindi na nila puwedeng baguhin ito. Tandaan natin ng arbitral ruling, ay galing sa iba. Ito batas na mismo sa loob ng Pilipinas. In fact, commutant and side-by-side with this, I have talked to the Solicitor-General and I’m asking him to study the filing of a petition in court to get recognition of foreign judgment ruling from our courts, in regards to the arbitral ruling, in order that we will have Philippine legislation and a decision favoring the Philippines, at least in our country.
KD: OK, all right. OK. So, there are priority legislations, and some that should describe, will be on the back burner. So, I want to ask you about this Cong. Rufus Rodriguez has appealed and has urged you publicly to reconsider your stand on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution. He cites that there’s a survey that 60 percent of Filipinos actually favor an economic change. Have you already reconsidered, Mr. Senate President?
CHIZ: No, Karen. But I’m willing to speak and have coffee with Cong. Rufus Rodriguez. He’s a good friend from Cagayan and we would discuss this with him. I did not say put a stop to it, it will continue but in its regular course, Karen. But if you notice, you mentioned priority measures and bills, Karen, this is not one of those agreed upon by Congress, the Senate, and the Executive. In fact, I will add another one because it’s quite relevant right now: the Single-Use Plastic Tax, this is actually taken similar to a Sin Tax Law. Tataasan natin ang buwis. I think the proposal is P200. I’m just not sure, Karen, if it’s for top or per kilo but from below P100 tax. In order to discourage, we are not banning it yet, to discourage, minimize, and lessen the use of single-use plastics in our country. Any total ban on plastic, Karen, I think would not be realistic. And if at all we would do it you need a long transition period to do it without affecting the of goods. So, I think this Single-Use Plastic Tax measure would be good to hopefully discourage the practice and, hopefully, create a culture of lower use of single-use plastic.
KD: Yes. So, you are prioritizing also the Single-Use Plastic Tax? That’s what you’re saying, Sir?
CHIZ: Yes, Karen. That’s part of the identified priority measures, as well in LEDAC.
KD: OK. At by the end of the year, sa palagay niyo under your leadership ay maipapasa ito?
CHIZ: Definitely, Karen.
KD: Definitely. OK. All right. What if the President suddenly says the economic measures for Charter Change are a priority? How would you then respond as Senate President?
CHIZ: Then I hope before that decision has arrived at, Karen, that there will be a discussion either in LEDAC or a similar mechanism because it has not been discussed in any of the LEDAC, quite frankly. So, I would not want to second guess nor would I want to assume anything from the President or the Executive.
KD: So, I think one thing you’re not telling us, but you are saying is if it is a priority, you want it transparent in the LEDAC?
CHIZ: Well, definitely, Karen. It cannot be something spoken up inside the backrooms or in closed doors, ever since this issue on Cha-Cha started earlier this year, Karen. This is what I’ve been saying, consistently saying, the main issue a lot of people have against Cha-Cha is confidence. How can you gain confidence if it is being talked about in backrooms, in whispers, and behind closed doors? Any discussion about Charter Change must be discussed openly. Ano ba talaga? Alin ba talaga? ‘Wag na ‘yung pinapadaan sa kung anu-ano namang pasakalye. I think it has to start there, Karen. For confidence to be built between the government and the people, those pushing for it, those against it, and at the end of the day, like in any democracy, have let it be put to a vote if it should reach that stage.
KD: OK, so before we go, we don’t have enough time, I wanted to ask you your stand on POGOs. Of course, the President has made it clear: he is banning POGOs in the Philippines. So, I want to ask you this, you’ve gone as far as saying we don’t need a law to ban POGOs because it was only the PAGCOR that granted licenses. But I want to ask you first, didn’t former President Duterte issue an executive order to actually allow POGOs, that executive order actually gave, how should I say it, opened the door and gave them the courage to proliferate because of that executive order. Do you think President Marcos Jr. needs to issue an executive order on the ban on POGOs?
CHIZ: He may, Karen. But my understanding is the executive order, if I remember correctly, Karen—I may be mistaken—the executive order issued by former President Duterte was to place all offshore gaming under PAGCOR. Because if you remember, Karen, at that time, it was under CEZA not under PAGCOR. Following the principle that says a franchise includes internet gaming, PAGCOR’s franchise did not include internet gaming because it is only for land-based gambling. So, an executive order was necessary to transfer it to the jurisdiction of PAGCOR. But the licenses themselves from CEZA issuing the licenses in Cagayan before, to PAGCOR issuing the licenses but it was only a transfer of jurisdiction. Now Karen, talked about the bill or the law, taxing POGOs now, POGOs when the law was passed taxing it, was already an existing undertaking. Without that law, POGOs were already proliferating pero mababa ‘yung buwis na binabayaran nila noong pinasa ‘yung bill na ‘yun na binubuwisan ang POGO ng mas mataas, tumaas ang binabayaran nilang buwis sa gobyerno at sa PAGCOR. But with or without that law, it was already there even with that law right now. The President, by merely his word actually, banned it already which is what I have been saying. All it takes to ban it would be an executive fiat or the word of the president to the PAGCOR chair to actually ban and prohibit it. But, Karen, it’s a very thin line dividing these other forms of gaming and being comprehensive about this thing.
KD: Oo. I was going to ask you that because right now PAGCOR is saying POGOs are different from what they call internet gaming licenses. Dapat daw magkaroon ng IGL. Legal daw ‘yon, ang POGO ang illegal. But isn’t that the same dog with a different color? Frankly the same game with another name?
CHIZ: I think PAGCOR should discuss this with the President, otherwise, they might make put the President in an odd situation.
KD: Yes.
CHIZ: They themselves are not following a direct order and command of the President given and delivered in SONA. But, Karen, my understanding is POGO is as the letter O suggests Philippine “offshore” gaming. PIGO, which exists, is “Philippine Inland Gaming.” Ang principal na pagkakaiba ng dalawang ‘yan, ‘yung offshore, foreigner ang naglalaro, principally Chinese. Ang PIGO naman, Pilipino naglaro, similar to sa e-sabong before.
So, issues on regulation would have to be asked again: How much are being spent by Filipinos on gambling? Ilang bilyon ba ‘yan kada linggo at buwan? Pangalawa, anong assurance natin na hindi naglalaro ang below eighteen years old diyan? Tulad ng mga issue na naharap natin sa e-sabong. Tinutulan natin pagsusugal ng mga dayuhan dito pero ‘yung pagsusugal ng sarili nating mga kababayan, OK lang? These some questions that need to be looked into and answered by PAGCOR themselves. And I believe, Karen, Senator Mark Villar filed a resolution already to be referred today to his Committee on Games and Amusements, to discuss this phase out of PAGCOR and this distinction, supposedly, between POGO and IGL and whatever acronym they have. Because, Karen, there’s POGO and PIGO, ano ba ‘yung magkaroon ng PIGO, PUGO PAGO AT PEGO. I mean you can invent as many acronyms as you want but you would like to be clarified too with his phase out. Ano ba talaga ‘yung covered ng kautusan ng Pangulo upang matiyak natin na hindi lang lilipat ito sa ibang mga internet gaming. I’m talking about the illegal POGOs. And number two, Karen, what is the law enforcement agencies plan to do, insofar as this is concerned. Baka mapahiya ang Pangulo na binan na niya pero tuloy-tuloy pa rin ‘yung mga iligal. So ang na-ban lang ay ‘yung legal, ‘yung iligal naman tuloy-tuloy pa din. Law enforcement must have a comprehensive plan too on how to put an end to it at the soonest possible time.
KD: All right. On that note, I want to thank you for joining me today and, once again, Mr. Senate President, we apologize for the technical difficulties earlier this morning. Is there anything you would like to add before we go?
CHIZ: Well, I wish everyone’s safety during these times that we again have. We again have a depression. Hopefully, it will not be as bad as what happened last weekend. I joined the mission by praying for the safety of everyone. Thank you, Karen, for the opportunity, and good morning to everyone.
KD: Good morning. Senate President Francis Escudero.