USEC. ROCKY IGNACIO: Good afternoon MPC, kasama na natin si Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
SEC. PANELO: Hello, good afternoon to all.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Hi, sir. Sir, paano po ipatutupad ng gobyerno iyong paggamit ng Dengvaxia ulit to mitigate rising dengue cases kung—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi, ganito ‘yun. Ang sinabi ko—kasi if you recall, iyong Dengvaxia according to… I think the pharmaceutical itself said na iyon pala, kailangan iyon ginagamit lang doon sa mayroon nang dengue, nagkaroon na. But apparently, hindi nasabi nila iyon o hindi nalaman ng mga kumuha ng Dengvaxia sa previous administration kaya nagkaproblema. And then after that, nagkaroon ng subsequent deaths na inaakala na galing doon. But lumalabas sa mga experts, sinasabi nila na wala pang conclusive finding na iyong Dengvaxia caused the deaths of those people.
So kung iyon ang situation, if it’s true that Dengvaxia is effective only to those who have suffered dengue, ‘di puwede pala. Kailangan lang alam natin na iyong gagamit noon eh nagkaroon ng dengue, otherwise baka may problema. Hindi naman nga nila sinabi na mamamatay or magkakaroon lang ng komplikasyon siguro.
Now iyong cause naman ng death, hindi pa rin natin alam kasi sinasabi hanggang ngayon eh hindi pa sure. So siguro, if it’s really necessary to use a vaccine that will stop the dengue spread, what we should do perhaps – and I would suggest that personally – ‘di ‘yung Dengvaxia gagamitin lang natin doon sa mga alam na nating nagkaroon ng dengue; kasi iyon ang sigurado eh, iyon ang totoong gamot – iyon ang sitwasyon.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: So Secretary, ibig sabihin ili-lift na natin iyong ban?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi. Iyong akin eh suggestion lamang dahil kung—hindi ba sabi nila na spread ng dengue grabe na naman. We need a vaccine for that. So kung walang—kailangan maghanap talaga tayo ng vaccine. Pero kung wala pa at alam naman natin iyong Dengvaxia puwede doon sa mga dati nang may dengue at wala tayong naririnig na hindi… o eh ‘di why don’t we try it. Iko-consider lang natin, we have to make a stand. As I said earlier, it needs/requires a serious study before we can use it.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Sir, actually iyong mga group of doctors pinapa-lift nga po nila iyong ban; kasama po diyan sa nagpapa-lift si dating DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral at sinasabi nila na iyong Dengvaxia sa 2019 kasama daw ‘to sa most essential medicines ng WHO.
SEC. PANELO: Well, kung galing mismo kay Dra. Cabral, whom I know personally na talagang competent, eh siguro pakinggan natin iyong mga sinasabi ng mga doktor. What is important is we stop the spread of dengue, and we need to find a solution to that.
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Sir, last year President Duterte ordered a—parang nagkaroon siya ng pathology experts from Asian to conduct a study on the effects of Dengvaxia. Any update on that?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko pa alam. I’ll ask him.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, Associate Justice Carpio is nominated again for Chief Justice. How big a consideration or policy differences to the President in his choice for the next Chief Justice?
SEC. PANELO: The discretion to appoint the Chief Justice and for that matter any Justice of the Supreme Court lies with the President, and he considers all factors in choosing the nominee.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: His stance on the South China Sea issue is a factor?
SEC. PANELO: No, I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter to him. What is important is he is highly qualified for the delicate job of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Thank you, sir.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir, sa statement ninyo kagabi regarding sa killings sa Negros Island, the President is looking at using his emergency powers?
SEC. PANELO: Yes.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: How soon o how close is he to declare or use his emergency powers?
SEC. PANELO: From his speech last night, it appears to be soon. He mentioned it in his speech of the anniversary of NICA.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: On the reason of spate of violence?
SEC. PANELO: Yes, because according to him as I stated in my statement, the unrest there has become widespread and it is being used by the communist rebels to use it as an excuse. And in fact he has even made the two provinces a quasi state, meaning to say that the land claimants there are involved in armed hostilities. And it is the communist rebels that arbitrarily choose who will occupy or own the land. Grabe na iyong patayan doon, we have a village, a barangay captain, a municipal mayor, four policemen and a lawyer. Eh, the President doesn’t want this to happen. He wants it stopped, and the only way to do that is to use his emergency powers.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Which emergency power, sir? Declaration of martial law—
SEC. PANELO: He has many options under the Constitution.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Like—which one?
SEC. PANELO: He can call the Armed Force to quell lawless violence; he can declare martial law…
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir first, if it’s gonna be martial law, ano ba iyon, i-e-expand iyong na na-declare na sa Mindanao o a separate declaration particular sa Negros Island?
SEC. PANELO: Baka separate.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Puwede iyon, sir? That’s a constitutional action, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Yes, because the Constitution says you can declare martial in the entire country or parts thereof.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, pero hindi ba kaya—I understand the Philippine National Police just recently sent additional 300 SAF commandos doon sa Negros Oriental. So, hindi kakayanin iyong ganoong puwersa ng PNP para… to stop the spate of killings?
SEC. PANELO: From the judgment of the President, it appears to be so. Especially he mentioned last night that mas marami ang sumusuporta ngayon sa mga NPA. They are taking advantage nga doon sa pagkakagulo ng mga away sa lupa.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So—pero hindi naman nagiging parang easy or lame excuse iyong NPA na lang? Basta kung may nangyaring patayan ay NPA?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi. Iyon naman ay… propaganda nila iyon. Sinasabi nga nila sa atin nanggaling iyong patayan doon eh, tayo raw ang nag-sponsor – that’s part of their propaganda warfare – psychological.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir, does this mean hindi effective iyong previous declaration of the President? Iyong declaration of state of emergency all over the country, I think it still exists right now.
SEC. PANELO: Eh siguro sa parteng iyon, hindi; mas malala doon kaya kailangan ng stringent measures.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Are we that helpless, sir? Mayroon tayong state of emergency—
SEC. PANELO: Kung helpless tayo ‘di hindi na tayo makakapagdeklara o makakagawa ng bagay para sirain iyon.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, if the military on the ground and even the local officials will recommend to the President to declare martial law in the area, will he?
SEC. PANELO: Certainly. He always follow the advice of those people in the know.
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Sir, what is the justification of the President of declaring martial law in Negros? Eh samantalang iyong martial law sa Mindanao, isn’t… parang not effective kasi there are bombings, there are violence pa rin sa Mindanao Region.
SEC. PANELO: Bakit naman hindi effective? Sila na nga nagsasabi effective. Kung mayroon mang mga bombing here or there, eh hindi ibig sabihin hindi effective ang martial law. The point is mula noong dineklara ang martial law, ang sinasabi ng mga tao roon maganda ang kanilang sitwasyon. They’re in favor of martial law there, dahil kung hindi effective iyon ‘di kokontrahin nila.
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Sir, si National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon said that he sees the influx of Chinese tourists in the country as a threat. Do you agree with him?
SEC. PANELO: Yes, he considers that as a threat. There are military vessels passing through our territory, even if it’s innocently done by them – innocent passage – if they’re not even telling us then we should be concerned.
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Sir, Chinese tourists iyong sinasabi niya na security threat. Dumadami raw po iyong mga turistang Intsik sa Pilipinas and—
SEC. PANELO: Turista?
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Turista po, yes.
SEC. PANELO: Siguro because nga kung hindi …they are undocumented, then we should really raise concern about them; paano sila nakakapasok dito?
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: So you agree, sir, that it is a threat – iyong influx of Chinese tourists?
SEC. PANELO: Eh kung masyadong marami na. Pero kung iyong kanilang pag-stay dito ay more on they want to work here but they’re still violating the Immigration laws, madaling gawan ng paraan iyan. We’ll just expel them, legally.
Q: Sir, just a follow up. Sir, sabi naman ni Secretary Locsin, ang kailangan daw nating gawin, alisin na iyong visa upon arrival ng mga Chinese.
SEC. PANELO: I agree.
Q: Anong tingin ninyo nga?
SEC. PANELO: I agree with Secretary Locsin. Kailangan talaga bini-vet, kasi kapag tayo humihingi ng visa, nahihirapan din tayong kumuha ng visa sa mga iba’t ibang bansa eh because they vet – tinitingnan muna nila.
VIRGIL LOPEZ/GMA NEWS ONLINE: Follow up lang, sir. Is the government open to limiting the number of Chinese tourists or workers coming in to the country?
SEC. PANELOL: Ang policy natin doon, kung kailangan natin ng Chinese workers na hindi kaya ng Pilipino, we will allow them – iyon ang ating policy.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, hindi lang po masyadong clear iyong explanation kanina. So what is your assessment on the presence of Chinese tourists here in the country if the Secretary of the National Security—adviser, rather—is worried about it basically? Ganoon din ba sa inyo?
SEC. PANELO: He is worried kasi nga masyadong maraming … may influx na magtataka ka bakit parang … bakit nakakapasok sila. So hindi lamang iyong worry ng number, ang worry mo pa ay kung paano sila nakakapasok. Binabantayan ba natin ito o hindi?
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: And now that that’s your position, what are we going to do about it? What actions will be taken?
SEC. PANELO: Oh di ang Immigration will have to do something about the entry of foreign nationals in this country, whether or not they are Chinese or hindi.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, putting an end to the visa on arrival for Chinese tourists, it’s the DFA’s call? Correct, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Yes.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Would the Palace recommend to the DFA that they should do it?
SEC. PANELO: The President will consider the proposal of the Secretary. And if we don’t hear anything from him, it means that will be the policy of the government.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, hindi ba parang ang babaw kung ang dahilan lang ay iyong the mere influx or the volume of tourist arrivals of Chinese or from China? Hindi kaya may mas malalim na they are not only as tourists but on a certain degree of parang spying dito sa ating bansa?
SEC. PANELO: Eh kasama na iyon. Hindi lamang iyong volume, pati siyempre iyong—ang importante diyan ay paano nakakapasok iyan nang hindi natin nalalaman? Iyon ang mas delikado doon.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, Senator Bong Go told reporters that the President daw last night said may papangalanan siyang less than ten PCSO officials involved in corruption. Can you give us a bit more details about this? When is this going to happen?
SEC. PANELO: Iyon lang ang sinabi niya. He didn’t elaborate on that. So let’s just wait for the announcement of the President.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, can you … kasi wala po kaming copy ng speech from the NICA event last night.
SEC. PANELO: Kung paano sinabi Senator Bong, iyon na iyon. Ganoon lang.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Na mayroon pong less than ten?
SEC. PANELO: Parang he mentioned in passing.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, again, while the investigation in PCSO is ongoing, does the President plan to place certain officials lalo na na mukhang mayroong identified na less than ten under preventive suspension?
SEC. PANELO: He didn’t mention anything on that aspect.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Okay. Sir, last. Sir, iyong remittances from the STL operations, as far as Malacañang is concerned who should be handling the remittances: the PCSO Board or the General Manager’s Office?
SEC. PANELO: I’m not sure of that. I’ll ask him.
KRIS JOSE/REMATE: Sir, may report na nawalan daw ng 250 million na kita ang PCSO doon sa four days na nahinto iyong Lotto operations. Hindi ba nanghinayang ang government doon sa 250 million na puwede namang itulong doon sa mga nangangailangan ng medical assistance?
SEC. PANELO: Unang-una, kaya pinasarado ni Presidente iyong lahat ng gaming operations because of the complaints he has received – kailangan gawan niya kaagad ng paraan. Number two, iyong 240 million, hindi naman nawala iyon eh. Paano naman mawawala iyon kasi iyong, kumbaga, iyong apat na araw na hindi nila paglagay, ilalagay nila sa pagbukas. Parang na-delay lang iyong dating ng pera sa gobyerno. Hindi naman nawala iyon eh, paano mawawala iyon – na-delay lang.
KRIS JOSE/REMATE: So, sir, iyong mga … ‘di ba po bumalik na iyong operations ng Lotto, iyong mga tao po ba na sinabihan ninyo na lumapit sa PAGCOR, sa DSWD, balik na rin po ba sila sa PCSO para humingi po ng tulong?
SEC. PANELO: Yes, since operating na iyong Lotto, eh di ganoon na uli ang gagawin nila.
NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET: Sir, will you confirm that the President will convene the LEDAC on Monday, August 5?
SEC. PANELO: Ah hindi, I will have to ask him. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary on that.
NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET: Follow up lang, sir. So what will now be the strategy of the President or Malacañang so that the Security of Tenure Bill that will be passed in Congress will be amenable or okay with the President?
SEC. PANELO: I already mentioned that the other day that the Secretary of Labor has drafted a bill. In fact, that is what the Senate wants. Para raw sigurado iyong gusto ng Malacañang ang maipasa ay mag-draft na lang ng bill, iyan nga ang ginagawa. Even without being told, gumawa na ang Department of Labor ng Security of Tenure Bill. Hopefully, they will support it.
NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET: Kasi, sir, in September 2018, the President certified the bill as urgent din, vineto niya iyong bill. There have been questions if why veto a bill he certified as urgent?
SEC. PANELO: Ano ba naman iyang argumentong iyon. Kahit pa sinertify mong urgent kung dumating iyong bill na hindi iyong gusto mong maipasa, siyempre ibi-veto mo.
NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET: Isn’t this a failure on the part of PLLO, sir, since parang sila iyong nagku-coordinate sa Congress—
SEC. PANELO: Not necessarily. Kasi kahit naman i-coordinate at sinabi mo sa kanila na iyon ang gusto mo at kung iyong mga senador naman ay iba ang gusto, ano naman ang magagawa mo doon? Mas mabuti na nga iyong na-veto para nagkaalaman kung ano talaga ang sa pananaw ni Presidente, he’s making a balancing act – weighing the interest of management and the working class – oh ‘di ba, mas mabuting nagkakaalaman. We have to educate ourselves, each one of us. Kung ano ang mas nakakabuti sa bayan, iyon ang gawin natin.
Iyong—anong tawag doon? Blaming, pointing, finger pointing – huwag na nating gawin iyon – palagi tayong maging bukas. Kung sa tingin natin nagkulang tayo, eh di punuan natin. But it doesn’t mean that the members of the Senate or the House in crafting the bill were not in support of the President. Neither does it mean that they don’t have the interest at heart of the working class – No. What we’re saying is, there may be… kahit anong galing natin, there may be occasions that we might not see that others can. So that’s precisely why I said, ‘let’s be open to suggestions’.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Precisely sir, can you please educate us and the public about the role of the PLLO in the crafting of bills in coordinating what form or provisions that Malacañang needs to—
SEC. PANELO: No, their job is to coordinate with Congress. Dadalhin nila doon iyong mga bills, sasabihin nila: “Ito ang agenda ni Presidente, ito ‘yung mga bills baka puwede ninyong ipasa.” Iyon lang naman ang trabaho nila, they cannot dictate on the members of the Senate or the House of Reps. They can only go as much or even as less.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Kasi sir, sayang iyong mga public hearings ng committee—sa committee level, hours of work ng senators, ng congressmen tapos hindi na—
SEC. PANELO: I disagree with what you are saying na sayang; walang sayang kapag nagkaroon ng discussion on anything in the House of Reps or Senate, kasi nabubuksan mo ‘yung mga puwede at hindi puwede; hindi magiging sayang iyon, talagang trabaho nila iyon eh.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir, saan nagkulang – saan tayo nagkulang?
SEC. PANELO: Eh… paulit-ulit na tayo eh. Siguro hindi nga nila nakita na baka ‘pag pinasa mo iyon eh lalong magkakaproblema tayo ‘di ba. Kasi walang—gaya ng sinabi ko na sa aking statement, absolute iyong labor contracting. Walang situation na hindi pupuwedeng i-enforce. Kailangan may exception kasi it will affect investors eh, hindi lamang iyong dito sa Pilipinas, pati iyong papasok na investment. ‘Pag nakita nila, “O hindi pala puwede tayo ng ano… six months palang ire-regularize na natin lahat. Eh kung nag-uumpisa pa lang tayo, anong… babagsak negosyo natin.” Iyon ang sinasabi ni Presidente.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir, hindi ba ‘yan nakita noong public hearings, committee level—
SEC. PANELO: Apparently hindi nakita.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Why does it take business groups to post or to point it out in full page advertisements sa newspapers—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi… I’m sure sinabi nila iyon. Pero kung iyong mga nandoon hindi naman—sa tingin nila hindi naniwala, o eh bakit mo naman sisisihin iyong mga business group?
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: Sir, Senator Lacson said that some Police Regional Directors are protectors of STL—of some STL and hold on… STL and jueteng operations – is that part of the investigation of Malacañang?
SEC. PANELO: Lahat iyan iniimbestigahan ni Presidente.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: So, the President mentioned this specifically?
SEC. PANELO: He doesn’t have to mention it. When he says, “I’m investigating it,” it involves everything and anything that will go against the rules, against the law.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: Okay, thank you.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, on the priority measures again. Are we expecting PLLO and Congress to have better coordination this time to ensure the passage of priority measures of the Duterte administration?
SEC. PANELO: Gaya nga ng sinabi ko, ang trabaho ng mga ‘yan pumunta roon at pakiusapan sila na ito ‘yung agenda ni Presidente. Like in this particular Security of Tenure Bill sabi nila, “Gumawa kaya kayo ng bill, ng draft para makita namin kung iyan ang gusto ninyo.” O hindi ba ‘yan ang ginagawa na ng labor—
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Yes, that’s their job sir. So, what’s the new instruction from the Palace to the PLLO?
SEC. PANELO: Walang bagong instruction. They know their job.
ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Alright.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Secretary sabi po ni Secretary Lorenzana, ide-develop daw iyong mga islands natin sa palibot daw ng Pag-asa Island sa West Philippine Sea. Paano po natin ide-develop iyong ating mga isla doon at anong plano ng gobyerno sa mga isla natin at sa mga territory natin na kini-claim doon?
SEC. PANELO: Iyong panukalang iyon, ipaparating pa kay Presidente. The President will decide on his suggestion.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir kanina sumang-ayon kayo kay National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. This time, sang-ayon din po ba kayo kay Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sa kaniyang paniwala na ang China ay bully?
SEC. PANELO: Ano?
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Ang China ay bully. Nambu-bully na raw because of the presence—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi. Nag-disagree nga siya doon sa bully. Gumamit siya – outfox, kinorek niya nga eh. Sabi niya maraming puwedeng—kasi they were referring to the Scarborough Shoal. Limitado—
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Esperon iyon. Esperon po ‘yung nagbago, nagpaliwanag… outfox.
SEC. PANELO: Kaya nga—ah si Secretary Lorenzana. Iyon na nga sinasabi ni Secretary Esperon. Baka ang ibig sabihin ni Secretary Delfin na outfox kasi he was referring to the Scarborough Shoal eh, iyong nagkaroon ng impasse.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Hindi, sir. Ang tinutukoy kasi ni Secretary Lorenzana, iyong presence ng mga Chinese vessels tapos nagpapatay sila ng—iyong automatic detection para hindi sila ma-identify whether a military ship or a cargo ship iyong dumadaan doon sa ating karagatan.
SEC. PANELO: O, pero napanood ko rin iyong interview niya eh. Binanggit niya nga iyong outfox with reference doon sa Scarborough Shoal – at iyon din ang tinutukoy ni Secretary Delfin. Kumbaga, naisahan tayo doon.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So, bully or hindi?
SEC. PANELO: Baka ang sinasabi ni Secretary Delfin—I will ask him exactly, kasi baka he was—if he was referring to Scarborough Shoal, then tama iyong description ni Secretary Esperon na outfox. Naisahan tayo doon eh, kasi napaniwala tayo na aatras din iyong kabila kaya ngayon sila ang may hawak, may kontrol.
Pero kung ang reference ni Secretary Delfin ay doon sa ginagawa ng China na sa mga areas na supposed to be in control tayo, iyong ating mga fishermen ay binu-bully ng mga Chinese Coast Guards, tama siya roon – I agree.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So mas pinapaniwalaan ninyo iyong posisyon ni Secretary Esperon na outfox?
SEC. PANELO: No, si Reymund talaga… gusto mo pang pag-awayin kaming tatlo eh. Simpleng-simple lang ang paliwanag, I already situate their arguments. So pareho sila tama, if both of them are referring to another island or area, pareho sila tama.
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Sir, para malinaw. Sa pananaw ng Malacañang: bully po ba ang China or hindi?
SEC. PANELO: Sa pananaw ni Secretary Delfin, I agree with him with respect doon sa pagbu-bully ng mga Coast Guards sa mga Chinese [fishermen] natin. O, with respect naman doon sa Scarborough Shoal, agree naman ako kay Secretary Esperon na na-outfox tayo doon.
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Kayo sir, being the Presidential Spokesperson, what is your position?
SEC. PANELO: My position will be the position of the President. I will ask him on this particular instance. Hindi pa nga natin alam, kasi kung ako tatanungin ninyo, personal iyon. Iyon ang sinabi ko na sa inyo. But kung ano ang posisyon ni Presidente, ewan ko kung ishe-share ko ‘yung kuwento—iyong…
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Off the record sir, tayo-tayo lang.
SEC. PANELO: Kasi baka he was just joking eh.
CHONA YU/RADIO INQUIRER: Paano, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Basta… Tatanungin ko uli siya kung puwede kong i-share. Kasi binanggit ko sa kaniya iyon eh noong nag-usap kami noong isang gabi eh. Sabi ko, “Sabi ni ganito… ganiyan, ganiyan…” “O ‘di ganito ang sabihin mo ‘pag tinanong ka.” Pero I will ask him kung puwede ko talaga sabihin.
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Sir, any reminder lang sa MMDA regarding doon sa proposed dry run of the provincial bus ban along EDSA. Since it will affect a lot of commuters, ngayon pa lang marami na pong umaalma – any reminder from the Palace or guideline as they implement it?
SEC. PANELO: I will check. Mayroon kasing—may narinig ako kanina sa isang programa sa inyo, and I will check on this: under the Public Service Act daw, mukhang hindi pupuwedeng tanggalin iyong mga terminal kasi isa nga iyon sa requirement na kailangan may bus terminal bago ka mabigyan ng prangkisa doon. I’ll check on that, kasi narinig ko iyon eh. Kaya daw ang MMDA hindi malaman kung ano ang gagawin ngayon dahil—because somebody pointed to the MMDA General Manager, “Uy alam mo mayroong provision sa Public Service Law na ganiyan…” Nagulat daw iyong… kaya I’ll check on it.
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Given that sir, would you recommend na huwag munang ituloy given na kailangan pang i-check iyong provisions sa law?
SEC. PANELO: Ah, hindi. Kung bawal sa batas eh… how can you do it? Baka mademanda ka pa; itse-check ko muna, and then I’ll get back to you.
JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: Thank you, sir.
USEC. ROCKY IGNACIO: Thank you, MPC. Thank you, Secretary Panelo.
SEC. PANELO: Thank you.
USEC. ROCKY IGNACIO: Antabayanan ninyo mamaya iyong 8888, siyempre kasama si Secretary Panelo and Asec. Kris Roman.
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Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)
