SEC. PANELO: Good afternoon MPC. We would like to give a warm send off to one of the better inquisitive reporters of the MPC and our best wishes for her pleasant departure, in the person of CNN reporter and news anchor Ina Andolong who will be walking in bliss this coming 23rd of this month. Best wishes to you and congratulations to the groom. And so the first question will come from her.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Sec., mayroon pong gusto si Secretary Calida, SolGen, doon sa… gag order daw po doon sa kaso sa ABS-CBN, doon po sa franchise issue. Ano po ang take ninyo doon?
SEC. PANELO: Ang Supreme Court?
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Opo, iyong mga parties po. Sabi po niya kailangan magkaroon ng… hindi muna sila dapat magsasalita.
SEC. PANELO: Sino ang nag-file?
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: SolGen po.
SEC. PANELO: Ah, tama naman siya doon kasi parang nagiging emotional ang isyu on this particular topic. It’s much to do about nothing; it’s not about press freedom. The President has nothing to do with the petition, again we will repeat. Solicitor General Calida is just doing his job and Congress has the exclusive authority to grant or renew licenses.
The President’s utterances on his personal displeasure with ABS-CBN and his statement that he will see to it that ABS-CBN will be shut down, that should not be taken literally. What he meant is he will not allow ABS-CBN to be committing fraud against those who contracted them to air campaign commercials, that’s what he meant.
If ABS-CBN has committed a criminal act, then the President will exercise his right and pursue a case against it before the courts; but he will not use his office to stop ABS-CBN from continuing with its service, that’s for Congress to decide, not for him.
ACE ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: Secretary, why do you think a gag order is necessary?
SEC. PANELO: Because it’s pending before the courts. If it is pending before the court, it becomes sub judice.
ACE ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: How can it be sub judice, the court has not given due course pa, wala pa namang—
SEC. PANELO: Mayroon na, hindi ba they had the—the parties have been asked and responded, I think. It has been ask to comment ten days from receipt to the order. Mayroon na.
ACE ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: So, you are saying dahil doon, puwedeng ng sub judice iyong…?
SEC. PANELO: Puwede na, kasi nag-act na nga ang court eh. The court has acted on it.
ACE ROMERO/PHIL. STAR: Hindi naman ito about iyong backlash against iyong SolGen. Do you think it has nothing to do with the backlash?
SEC. PANELO: No. I think we should—again, I will reiterate what I said, if the quo warranto is granted, assuming that it can be heard within the period before the franchise expires, I don’t think it will affect ABS-CBN because all they has to do – it fact it has already done – is to ask for a renewal of its franchise in Congress. That is why I’ve been saying, it’s much ado about nothing. And Solicitor General Calida has already explained himself, ‘I have to do it simply because this is my duty. I would be charged with dereliction of duty if I do not file this because I discover that there are certain violations of the law.’
JULIE AURELIO/PDI: Sir, if ever the bid for a gag order is granted, does this also mean that government officials should stop discussing the ABS-CBN franchise, including say, legislators, members of the executive branch. Mako-cover po ba kayo noong gag order?
SEC. PANELO: Members of Congress, if they are doing their duty, I don’t think they can be stopped from asking question relative to the matter. Perhaps the resource persons can be covered, but not members of Congress.
JULIE AURELIO/PDI: How about kayo, sir or halimbawa DOJ or si SolGen Calida. Does this gag order might cover him also?
SEC. PANELO: In so far as it doesn’t go to the merits of the case, they can speak about the case. Like for instance, if they are asked, why are you filing this case? They can articulate on their grounds, that would not be violating the gag rule.
JULIE AURELIO/PDI: Pero halimbawa, kung ABS-CBN will only discuss the merits of the case, okay lang?
SEC. PANELO: Precisely, the gag order refers to not discussing the merits of the case, because that will tend to influence the court.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Secretary, nakarating na ba kay Pangulo at may direktiba ba siya ukol doon sa sinasabing pastillas scheme doon sa Immigration? Kasi nagbabayad daw po ng 10,000 pesos ang mga Chinese para makapasok dito sa bansa natin na tinutulungan ng mga tiwaling miyembro ng Immigration. Ano pong take ng Pangulo—
SEC. PANELO: I haven’t talk about that with him. I will ask him when I see him.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Ano po ang take ng Palace doon, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Any violation, any transgression, any anomaly the Palace frowns on it and will act on it if there are complaints formally filed before its office.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Sabi po kasi ni Pangulo kahit tsismis lang kailangan aksyunan kaagad, ito po sinasabi ng mga ibang witness doon sa hearing sa Senado na 10,000 daw ang binabayad ng mga Chinese—
SEC. PANELO: You know when the President says kahit tsismis lang, he validates that. He doesn’t act recklessly on any tsismis.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, isn’t the Palace—I mean, how does the Palace feel that it took a Senate investigation to reveal this alleged scheme and kumbaga, what do you think about the Immigration officials or leaders at the agency who should be monitoring what’s happening?
SEC. PANELO: Right now, there is only an allegation. If there is an allegation, then that must be proven.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Sir, this isn’t the first issue involving POGOs, you know iyong supposed proliferation of prostitution dens, there are issue of not all of them are complying with their tax obligations. What is the Palace take of all these? Don’t you see the need for a more aggressive effort to… I don’t know, really go after—
SEC. PANELO: We’ve been saying that any complaints should be filed. Because unless you have file a formal complaint, we will never know if there is any anomaly; and even if these are being subject of talks in media, in columns, unless there is a complaint filed, we will never know. You have to submit proof so that we can do something.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Can the Palace act on its own considering the many discussions about it, and the Senate investigation showing—
SEC. PANELO: How can you act on it … how can you act on it if there’s no proof that there is such an anomaly.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: Ni investigation, sir, walang posibleng mangyari?
SEC. PANELO: Precisely you have to file a complaint with us so that we will know, so that we can act on it.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: So right now, until no complaint is filed, you’re just going to watch everything being …
SEC. PANELO: Because there’s nothing to investigate in the first place, unless there is a complaint.
INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS: So you don’t give any weight to all this?
SEC. PANELO: The Immigration Commissioner is tasked to do his job. Meaning, apart from the usual governing his own territory, he has to know whether there are anomalies in his territory; and respond to it. It doesn’t have to take the President to do the job for him.
ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL STAR: Secretary, given these issues – we have the pastillas scheme, we have the tax deficiencies, we have the prostitution den – what impression do they create about the POGOs in the Philippines or the POGO industry?
SEC. PANELO: Well, if those will be proven, then there is something wrong with the operation of the POGO, then the government has to do something about it. Until such time, the presumption is, they’re performing regular task in accordance with law.
ALEXIS ROMERO/PHIL STAR: Okay. So will this prod the government to rethink its policies or maybe look into its policies with regard to the POGOs and the influx of Chinese workers?
SEC. PANELO: Anything that is bad for this government, the government is always open.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, you said you will have to ask the President if he is aware of the pastillas scheme.
SEC. PANELO: Yes.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: But what about iyong other issues ng mga POGOs? Is the President aware of it?
SEC. PANELO: I’ll ask him about it, because I do not know whether there has been talk between the Commissioner or the DOJ Secretary who is supposed to be the head of… part of that and the President.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So you don’t know, sir, if the President has been informed, for example, iyong case on the tax, iyong mga kidnappings, iyong mga prostitutions? He hasn’t said anything about it, sir?
SEC. PANELO: During our talks, we didn’t touch on that. We discussed more on the VFA and other issues.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So, sir, the Office of the President will not do anything about this, sir, unless, you said, that there are cases filed already. But on the part of—
SEC. PANELO: No, Pia, you don’t have to file a case. You just file a… just a letter would make us act on it.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: A letter address to the Office of the President?
SEC. PANELO: Addressed to the Commissioner, the Commissioner will take action. Every head of office takes action on any complaint, on any letter expressing concern on anything. That has been the rule of thumb in this administration.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, what do you think of iyong mga sinasabi on social media that the Palace is turning a blind eye to all of this, itong mga issues na ito?
SEC. PANELO: I don’t think so, because the record of this administration speaks for itself. It never turns a blind eye on anything that concerns governance.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, is the Palace… parang napipigilan po ba sila to act on this because of the economic impact if ever iyong POGOs ay umalis dito sa bansa?
SEC. PANELO: No, because—look at the VFA issue, despite all odds, he decided to cut it off. There are supposed to be very significant implications according to critics and supporters of VFA, but that didn’t stop the President from abrogating it. Wala sa Presidente iyon.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So for the President, iyong POGOs, sir, are not indispensible despite iyong puwede nilang maging epekto sa ekonomiya kapag napaalis sila dito sa bansa?
SEC. PANELO: ‘Di ba sabi nga ni Presidente, ‘there is no sacred cow in this government. If it’s against the interest of the people and general welfare, I’ll stop it.’ This is the kind of President we have.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBNnews.com: Hi, sir. Sir, given iyong reports nga sa pastillas scheme, how would the Palace evaluate iyong performance ni Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente? Kasi, sir, sabi ninyo dapat alam ninyo iyong mga anomalies, ‘di ba.
SEC. PANELO: That’s why I said, hindi ko alam kung nag-usap na sila ni Secretary Guevarra. Kasi I’m sure there will be talks between him and Secretary Guevarra and then, Secretary Guevarra with the President relative to that subject matter.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBNnews.com: Pero, sir, given nga po itong existing na, na lumabas na sa Senate na may ganitong scheme, how does the Palace view the performance of Commissioner Morente?
SEC. PANELO: Alam mo kapag mayroong Senate investigation, the President’s position is: let it be heard. Para lumabas kung anuman iyong dapat na malaman natin. We always welcome that kind of investigation.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBNnews.com: Sir, is the Palace or President Duterte is still confident on the capabilities of Commissioner Morente to lead the Bureau of Immigration given itong reports po na may mga ganitong scheme na tumatanggap ng pay offs iyong mga ilang tao sa BI?
SEC. PANELO: Until he says otherwise, the assumption is he has confidence on him.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBNnews.com: Okay, sir. Sir, last na lang. Is the Palace interested in summoning Commissioner Morente to explain this?
SEC. PANELO: Iyan ang hindi ko alam. Kasi hindi nga natin alam kung baka nag-usap na sila, that’s why I’ll have to ask him.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Hi, sir. Good noon. Sir, so habang wala pang naisasampa na formal case regards to the pastillas scheme—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi naman kailangan formal case eh; may magreklamo lang officially eh …
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So you are fully supportive of the Senate investigation initiated by Senator Hontiveros?
SEC. PANELO: Yeah. As we said, any anomaly being investigated, we are interested to know.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, when was the first time you heard of this scheme, iyong 10,000 pay off sa bawat illegal worker?
SEC. PANELO: Sa news.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sa news lang. Hindi ba parang you’ve mentioned dati na parang the President has all the resources and intelligence networks. Hindi siya na-brief ng mga assets sa Immigration?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko alam kung na-brief siya. Hindi ko alam iyong parteng iyon. We haven’t talked about it. I’ll have to ask him.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So we expect na, gaya ng sabi ninyo, walang sacred cow kahit na Chinese cow ito?
SEC. PANELO: Yes, of course.
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: Last Sunday, sir, sa Sangley ay nandoon ang Presidente. There were concerns over the wrist, on his right arm, dito, parang medical plaster daw? Would you care to explain, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Alin, iyong white?
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: Iyong white, sir.
SEC. PANELO: That’s more symbolical of his wanting peace in the Philippines.
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: Bakit, sir, all of a sudden ay may ganoon siyang white? It looks like a medical plaster kasi.
SEC. PANELO: No, it’s not a medical plaster.
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: Peace for what, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Eh parang ano iyan, parang kay Erap, iyong mga wrist band. Hindi ba si Erap mayroong white. Ako rin mayroon tignan mo, pula naman iyong akin.
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: So, sir, there’s no need for any concern over the President’s health?
SEC. PANELO: No. You know, the President will tell us if he is not feeling well. He tells us … wala ngang tinatago ‘di ba? Lahat sinasabi niya sa atin.
TINA MENDEZ/PHIL STAR: So which is which, sir? For peace or for sports attire—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko alam exactly kung ano iyon. Basta ang tingin ko diyan, ang unang nakita ko kaagad doon noong makita ko iyong white is symbol of peace. Hindi ba gusto niya palagi magkaroon ng kapayapaan dito sa ating bansa that’s why he goes out of his way to have peace with the communist rebels, with the Muslim rebels. He doesn’t want to shed blood.
TINA MENDEZ/PHILIPPINE STAR: Sir, incidentally nag-issue rin kayo ng statement doon about—that day na si President would prefer na manalo sa reelection ni President Trump? Related ba ‘yung ban?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi naman siya ‘yung… hindi naman ‘yung sinabi niyang preference niya. Ang sinabi niya, ‘he’s a good President he deserves to be reelected.’ He’s expressing an opinion, his personal sentiment.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Good afternoon, sir!
SEC. PANELO: Hi.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Sir, may reported domestic helper po sa Hong Kong na tested positive sa COVID and according to the report of South China Morning Post, it’s a Filipina domestic worker. And there are also seven Filipina workers who are under quarantine because of COVID. How will this affect the evaluation of the government regarding the travel ban po sa Hong Kong, whether we lift or not?
SEC. PANELO: We will leave… we will leave that to the task force. They will be… I’m sure discussing it, evaluating it and we will wait for their recommendation.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV:But will this greatly affect po ‘yun pong consideration ng pamahalaan sa panawagan ng mga Pinoy na i-lift na po ‘yung travel ban.
SEC. PANELO: That depends on the task force, that’s their job; precisely that was created.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: And connected din po sa topic na COVID, sir. Tomorrow po mag-e-end ‘yun pong quarantine period nung pong mga nakasakay sa Princess Diamond Cruise Ship. Mayroon pong 538 Filipinos including crew members and passengers. How prepared po ang pamahalaan sa evacuation nila given na umakyat na po sa 454 ‘yun pong infected ng virus sa cruise ship.
SEC. PANELO: From what I gathered, we are prepared for that. I heard Secretary Bello and Secretary Duque saying they are prepared for that.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Saan po sila mag-i-stay kapag po bumalik na sila dito sa Pilipinas?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko alam. Hindi ko alam ang detalye basta sabi nila we are prepared for such eventuality.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Ano po ang marching orders ng President kasi hindi po—Napakarami po ng bilang na ‘yun, 538.
SEC. PANELO: You know, the President has already directed them much, much earlier to establish protocols and procedures for any eventuality that will occur. Eh, ang sinasabi naman nila Secretary Duque we are prepared. We will respond to any kind of eventuality.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Currently po ba enough po ba ‘yung—sa usapin po ng PPE o ‘yung personnel protective equipment, enough po ba ‘yung supply ng pamahalaan lalo na po para po i-secure din po ‘yung condition ng mga frontline health workers?
SEC. PANELO: I think so. That was told to me by Secretary Duque, Secretary Lopez.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Thank you, sir.
FRANCIS WAKEFIELD/DAILY TRIBUNE: Sir, ive-verify lang po namin kung mayroon na po bang naging recent meeting ‘yung inter-agency task force para po doon sa COVID-19? Mayroon po bang naka-schedule for today or mayroon na po bang…?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko… hindi ko alam. Mayroon ba? Do we have?
[OFF MIC] Unclear
SEC. PANELO: Wala pa… wala pa akong notice.
[OFF MIC] Unclear
SEC. PANELO: Saan si Cris? Si Cris dapat nakakaalam nun.
[OFF MIC] Unclear
SEC. PANELO: Tanungin n’yo kung may notice siyang natanggap. Hindi ko alam eh, si Cris ang pinapa-attend ko doon.
IAN CRUZ/GMA 7: Secretary, going back doon sa mga Pinoy crew ng cruise ship po ano. February 19 po kasi matatapos ‘yung quarantine period nila, ‘yung fourteen-day. So, pagbalik ba nila nang Pili—
SEC. PANELO: That’s tomorrow?
IAN CRUZ/GMA 7: Yes, sir! So, pagbalik ba nila ng Pilipinas kailangan pa bang i-quarantine ulit sila? ‘Yun ba ang recommendation ng task force?
SEC. PANELO: Ang alam ko may protocols sila doon, hindi ko lang alam kung ano ‘yung protocol na ‘yun but as I’ve said earlier, mayroon na silang established protocols for that.
IAN CRUZ/GMA 7: Kasi sir, natapos na nila ‘yung fourteen-day quarantine sa Japan and then kung dito ba ire-require pa ba sila? ‘Yun ba ang tinitingnan nating—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi ko nga alam ‘yung… ‘yung portion na ‘yun kung they have to go with the same process that they had undergone, kung uulitin pa.
IAN CRUZ/GMA 7: Thanks.
FRANCIS WAKEFIELD/DAILY TRIBUNE: Sir, good afternoon po! ‘Yung ano lang—Next week ice-celebrate natin ‘yung EDSA People Power celebration po. So, may mga grupo raw na naglalayon na mapatalsik raw si Pangulo by using ‘yung social media, nag-e-encourage po sila ng mga tao, mass actions against the President. Ano po ang take ng Palasyo po rito?
SEC. PANELO: That’s a wishful thinking, it’s a pipe dream. It will never come to fruition. Filipinos, majority or overwhelming of…They are supportive of the President.
FRANCIS WAKEFIELD/DAILY TRIBUNE: Okay, sir. Kasi ‘yung isa sa mga issues na nire-raise ‘yung VFA… ‘yung VFA po.
SEC. PANELO: Wala ‘yun. Military is hundred percent in support of the President.
FRANCIS WAKEFIELD/DAILY TRIBUNE: So, hindi na po kailangan ng Pangulo na magkaroon ng meeting with the top officials po?
SEC. PANELO: No. The AFP has already expressed its support to the President.
IAN CRUZ/GMA 7: Pero Secretary, hindi rin natin maitatanggi na may mga… mga sundalo, opisyal man o hindi na pro-American. ‘Yung iba nag-aral pa sa Amerika, maaaring iba ‘yung sentiments nila this time doon sa pag-abrogate natin sa VFA.
SEC. PANELO: You’re speculating, we don’t know that. Let them speak their minds.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBN NEWS.COM: Sir, former Senator Trillanes posted bail earlier today. Sir, can you comment lang ‘yung statement niya na, “I will face this case just as I have faced all the other harassment cases Duterte’s minions have filed against me.” Regarding ‘to sir doon sa “Ang Totoong Narcolist” na videos.
SEC. PANELO: I think I already made a statement yesterday about that. I said, we will not waste our time responding to nonsense. That’s his problem.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBN NEWS.COM: Okay, sir.
SEC. PANELO: We don’t interfere with cases filed before the courts.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBN NEWS.COM: But sir do you think ‘yung sinabi niyang harassment case po ito? Does the Palace agree?
SEC. PANELO: It’s nonsense.
ARIANNE MEREZ/ABS-CBN NEWS.COM: Thank you, sir.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, nagsalita na si Police Colonel Espenido and he is blaming ‘yung failure of intelligence umano sa pagkakadawit niya doon sa drugs list. What’s the comment of Malacanang on this, sir?
SEC. PANELO: Could be true, because the President trust him. It’s not unexpected that there may be some flaws in intelligence gathering. That happens. Sometimes they’re even intentional, you are being fed with the wrong info coming from those who are against a particular officer and if it gets into the system, lalabas ‘yun.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, when you said that it may be intentional, is the Palace considering Espenido as a victim in this case? Sinadya po ba na ilagay—
SEC. PANELO: Could be, because the President says that’s black propaganda as far as he’s concerned. Biktima siya.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: So, what does it say about—
SEC. PANELO: And I understand—I think the PNP—DILG Secretary Ano made a statement if I’m not mistaken that he should be already excluded in the list. As I said, the original list – there are 120 that have been stricken off and a big number of 120 belong to the PNP. Marami silang tinanggal.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, what does it say about the credibility of the drugs-list of the administration?
SEC. PANELO: Eh, kung natanggal mo na ‘yung mga hindi dapat isama eh ‘di credible!
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Credible pa rin?
SEC. PANELO: Oh, yes! After all, trabaho rin nila ‘yung mag-gather ng intelligence; but siyempre may nakakalusot din na mali.
PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir, kung may nakalusot dito sa list na ito. Who’s to say na hindi rin nagkaroon ng ganoong klaseng pagkakamali doon sa mga dating listahan na isinapubliko ng Palasyo?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi, kasi pag nasa listahan ka, mayroong mga pruweba sa iyo, may mga isinabmit na proof. Oh eh di magiging credible iyon. Pero kung halimbawa kay Espenido, sinama mo sa listahan, tapos iyong pruweba mo iyon pala hindi totoo. Gaya noong nangyari sa Senate hearing, hindi ba iyong mga (recording cut)
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: (recording cut) assuming. But they are now implicating and they believe that the intelligence report implicating Espenido is true, wala bang parang effect nito doon sa overall anti-drug war ng administration?
SEC. PANELO: Wala, eh kung paninira lang sa kanya, bakit naman will it affect.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So, walang epekto kasi iyong the morale of the… nandoon sa ground na nagko-conduct ng operations—
SEC. PANELO: Hindi rin. Kasi you know, in an organization, within the ranks alam nila kung sino ang mga rascal doon. Pareho ninyo sa MPC, alam ninyo kung sino iyon tamad, sino iyong masipag, sino iyong tahimik, kasi nasa isang grupo tayo, alam natin lahat ang galaw ng mga bawat isa.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: So, kumbinsido kayo na posibleng may mga nasagasaan si Espenido sa kanyang pursigido—
SEC. PANELO: Oh definitely, marami talaga siyang nasagasaan, yes. Kung sa nasagasaan, eh napag-initan noong mga involved.
CHONA YU/RADYO INQUIRER: Sir, iyong friend po ni President Duterte, iyong businessman na si Dennis Uy. He is asking the government for guarantees to cover iyong kanyang 700 million pesos loan. Ano po ang comment dito ng Palace?
SEC. PANELO: Parang ngayon ko lang narinig iyon. He is asking…?
CHONA YU/RADYO INQUIRER: Government para iyong guarantee.
SEC. PANELO: I don’t know about that, kausap ko siya, kasama ko siya the other night, wala siyang binabanggit. Ang sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘oh, you are in the news na naman. Marami ka daw utang sa gobyerno.’ ‘O bakit may equity naman ah.’ Parang sinisiraan lang ako nung mga naiinggit.
CHONA YU/RADYO INQUIRER: He told you sir, na wala siyang utang sa government?
SEC. PANELO: Hindi, ang sinabi ko sa kanya, marami ka daw utang. Eh totoo naman nangungutang siya, hindi ba. Mayroon akong nabasa na in several banks, nangungutang siya 850, ganito, lahat naman iyan eh utang, in other words, babayaran niya rin. Iyon ang ginamit niya para mamili ng mga kung anu-anong companies na pina-operate niya naman. Apparently the banks trust him, otherwise hindi siya papautangin.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: Secretary, babalik lang ako doon sa SolGen na nag-request ng gag order sa Supreme Court. Para sa ABS-CBN iyong hinihiling ng SolGen ano. Pero sakop ba nito iyong mga artista, iyong mga talent, kung sakali marami pong nagpo-post din sa social media—
SEC. PANELO: Pag gag order, pag mayroong order, everybody is covered except for those things that I mentioned earlier, like members of the Congress, pag meron silang Senate investigation.
IAN CRUZ/GMA7: So, iyong mga celebrity nga sir, hindi na sila puwedeng mag-post sa social media about it?
SEC. PANELO: They can always speak themselves subject to the contempt power of the Supreme Court.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Sir, noong induction ng mga KBP Board of Trustees, may nabanggit ang Pangulo about this franchise issue. Sabi niya he is not yet ready to talk in front of them, but he is willing to sit down on a cup of coffee, then he will bare it out—
SEC. PANELO: He is referring to whom ba?
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Iyong sa franchise ng ABS-CBN.
SEC. PANELO: Yeah, he is referring to, ‘I am not ready to talk with them.’
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: I am not ready to discuss this issue in front of the officers of the KBP. But he is open to talk to them—
SEC. PANELO: With the KBP?
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: Yeah, over coffee and bare it out whatever is inside his heart daw. So, wala pa bang parang nababanggit na schedule of this possible small group discussion?
SEC. PANELO: Wala pa siyang binabanggit.
ALVIN BALTAZAR/RADYO PILIPINAS: Maraming salamat MPC. Miss Ina Andolong, good luck. Maraming salamat Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.
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Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)
