USEC. ROCKY IGNACIO: Magandang tanghali MPC, kasama na natin si Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

SEC. PANELO: Good afternoon. I’m ready…

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: Hi, sir. We’d like to get your reaction to a statement made by ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda saying that the preliminary examination will continue even after the country’s withdrawal for the Rome Statute.

SEC. PANELO: As I said, if she does it that means she is violating the provisions of the Rome Statute. The Rome Statute says, when there is a preliminary investigation and/or proceeding relative to that, then if this was started prior to the withdrawal of a state-party, then the ICC can proceed; but there is no preliminary investigation to speak of, only a preliminary examination.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: Is there any sort of cooperation from the Philippine government that the ICC can expect with its plan supposedly to—?

SEC. PANELO: None whatsoever.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILIPPINES: Will there be an official directive to government workers or departments to perhaps instruct them?

SEC. PANELO: We’ll leave that with the President.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir, Assembly of State Parties president O-Gon Kwon said that he is still hopeful that the withdrawal of the Philippines from ICC will only be temporary. What can you say about this, sir?

SEC. PANELO: Not during the watch of this President.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: So you don’t consi—we will not reconsider the withdrawal? This is already final?

SEC. PANELO: I do not think so. Even other countries… powerful countries share the same sentiment that ICC has weaponized human rights in the fight against drugs. It has been politically persecuting heads of states.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Because—

SEC. PANELO: And I think the—what this Prosecutor is doing validates the accusation. Because the Rome Statute is very clear, only—when you started the preliminary investigation that you can commence even subsequent to the withdrawal of a state party; but there is none to speak of. There is only a preliminary examination and that process is to determine whether or not ICC can take jurisdiction.

Preliminary investigation shows or means that it has already determined that it has jurisdiction. So it has not even decided, so why are they continuing?

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir, O-Gon Kwon kasi is saying that this is an effective way or key to promote accountability among the heads of state. Don’t you agree in his statement?

SEC. PANELO: I disagree. We have already pointed out that in this country we have a judicial system which is robust and functional, and very effective. And we have shown to the world that three presidents have been subjected to the machineries provided by the Constitution relative to ousting them with respect to certain abuses they have committed and we have demonstrated that.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Good afternoon, sir. Yesterday you mentioned about the possibility of deportation if ever ang mga ICC Prosecutors will insist on investigating. Iyon pong level ng intrusion sa sovereignty ng mga foreigners sa bansa po natin, ano po ba ang batayan ng Palace doon? Kasi the government has deported nun Patricia Fox because of participation po sa mga political rallies. And—pero hindi naman po tayo ganoon pagdating sa mga Chinese illegal workers, so…

SEC. PANELO: Not… we are not that with respect to illegal workers?

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Because the President mentioned before, let the Chinese illegal workers—

SEC. PANELO: No. We already clarified that. With respect to Chinese with working permits, they can stay. But we already said that, any foreigner who is here in violation of immigration laws will be dealt with accordingly.

Now with respect to ICC personnel who will come here and violate our sovereignty, then they will be subjected to deportation.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: That’s a stern warning po coming from the Palace kahit after po ng binigay na pahayag ni ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda?

SEC. PANELO: Definitely, because they have no jurisdiction over us from the very start. More so if they believe that we have withdrawn, so what basis do they have to continue? Plus, what I’ve been repeating, that there is a provision in the Rome Statute that outlines the procedure under which it can continue to assume jurisdiction assuming it has – it has not. They seem not to understand their own provisions of law.

Preliminary examination, I will repeat again, is a process by which they want to determine or it will determine whether or not it can assume jurisdiction if there are present jurisdictional crimes; number two, if the state is unwilling or unable to proceed – that is the preliminary examination and that is the states under which it commence; while preliminary investigation, ICC has already determined that aspect and so it can assume jurisdiction. So how—what is the basis for the ICC to continue investigating?

CEDRIC CASTILLO/GMA7: Sir, good morning sir. Sec., good morning po. Sir, in continuing with the preliminary examination sir, would you say that the ICC or particularly Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has an agenda other than performing her duties?

SEC. PANELO: Obviously yes I guess. As we said, the accusation is being validated more by her actions.

CEDRIC CASTILLO/GMA7: Sir, ano po sa tingin ninyo itong agenda nito sir and who may be behind it?

SEC. PANELO: Ano pa eh, eh ‘di political persecution of this President.

CEDRIC CASTILLO/GMA7: Sino po kaya sir ang nag-i-initiate po nitong—

SEC. PANELO: I don’t know… You can ask him [her].

CEDRIC CASTILLO/GMA7: Sir, follow up lang sir. Sir, nire-raise po kasi doon sa DFA forum kahapon, paano naman daw sa hinaharap, sa mga susunod na administrations? Ano daw iyong assurance na may protection ang mga Pilipino kung wala na naman tayo sa ICC po?

SEC. PANELO: We have never been under the ICC when we removed three presidents. Ano bang pinagsasasabi nila? I cannot even understand that. Ang titigas ng ulo nila. Anybody can file any complaint against any incumbent official. Even this President, after he steps down from office, if he indeed violated any provision of law he will be accountable. So I cannot understand—those fears are misplaced if not recklessly advanced. We have a rich history of making presidents/officials accountable in this country.

DANIEL: Sir, good morning. Clarification lang po ‘no. Sakaling pumunta si Bensouda rito at nagsagawa ng mga ganoong klaseng investigation, ipapa-deport po ba natin?

SEC. PANELO: We already responded to that. It applies to everybody.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Sir, just a quick follow up. You mentioned that political agenda iyong reason ni Bensouda for wanting to pursue the trial or the investigation. Why do you think ganoon iyong naging agenda niya, sir? What will she gain from pursuing—

SEC. PANELO: I don’t know why she is doing it. What I know is that international organizations appear to have conspired against this President. They opt to believe what they have been receiving from this source – the Philippines – false stories about the situation of this country.

MARICEL HALILI/TV5: Ano iyong naging basis natin for saying na it’s seems na merong conspiracy among—

SEC. PANELO: Eh kasi halos lahat sila pare-pareho ang sinasabi eh and they are also citing the same figures. Like for instance those international groups of lawyers, they are saying that we have been or will be affected adversely with respect to our economy relative to our position on human rights; but our economic managers have already issued a statement to that effect that there is no correlation between their claim. Because, one, we have shown that our economy is doing well, in fact much better than the previous two administrations.

Moreover, as correctly pointed out by our economic managers, the considerations that will be considered by the foreign investors are – they mentioned about… one, would be the macro economic considerations – the no or minimal restrictions; plus… with respect of getting permits and licenses – no corruption. Those are the considerations that a foreign investor can usually take before entering into a country and invest. But the fact is our foreign investment is very good.

And let me point that—remember this US report on human rights? What came out were only the bad things that they observed. As I expounded on my statement, there were very good things that were included there, but it never saw print. And the human rights groups just speak out those bad things and spread it.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Sir, what are these international organizations or groups that you suspect or you claim are engaged in a conspiracy—

SEC. PANELO: The two – one, the Law Asia and then number; and then number two, the international group of lawyers who just came and called a presscon, I don’t know what association is that.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Are you saying they could be—they are in a conspiracy with the ICC—

SEC. PANELO: No, what I am saying is—they appear to be in conspiracy because they are saying the same things.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Conspiracy among, just to be clear about it, conspiracy among… sino sila?.

SEC. PANELO: Those who speak against this President and this government relative to human rights, relative to drug-related killings. They are chorusing the same line.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Do you think that they are—where they are getting the information that you say—

SEC. PANELO: Of course, they are getting the information from the critics and detractors of the President. When this people issue a statements and our newspapers print it, that’s their basis and they believe that hook line and sinker. So unconsciously they appear to be in conspiracy. Hindi nila siguro alam but parang iyon ang lumalabas, kasi pare-pareho ang mga sinasabi nila.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Unconsciously.

SEC. PANELO: Yes.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Thank you, sir.

SEC. PANELO: Kaya nga they appear eh, appear to be. Kasi look at the figures.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: And there such a thing, sir, na conspiracy na hindi alam na nagko-conspire sila. [laughs]

SEC. PANELO: Oh yes. Of course, wittingly or unwittingly, di ba. There’s such thing as wittingly or unwittingly. Kaya ang dating tuloy parang, ‘bakit pare-pareho ang mga sinasabi ninyo?’ You cite the same figures, you say 20,000 plus, hindi naman totoo. They keep on pounding of that. Like iyong lawyers daw, pinapatay, inaatake. Since when did the President attacked the lawyers in this country?

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: Yes, sir, but my point is: how it can it be a conspiracy when you are saying they are unconsciously—

SEC. PANELO: Kaya nga there such a word as wittingly or unwittingly, iyon yun eh. If everybody is saying the same things, eh parang nagko—mukha lang nagko-conspire, kahit na hindi. Kasi para silang orchestra, they are singing the same tune, iyon ang ibig nating sabihin.

INA ANDOLONG/CNN PHILS.: At least, it’s clear. Thank you, sir.

CEDRIC CASTILLO/GMA7: sir, I don’t know if this may sound quite a stretch ano. Pero sir you are talking about the agenda and who’s behind it. Would you say, sir, that this has anything to do with geo-politics perhaps, vis-à-vis the shift to China—

SEC. PANELO: Ako ang tingin ko lang diyan, simple lang iyan eh. When you believe in false news, bogus narratives, eh talagang masisira ang diskarte mo, iba ang magiging tingin mo sa isang bansa. For instance, how will you account the fact that we have robust foreign investments? Eh kung totoo iyong mga pinagsasabi nila, eh natakot na lahat iyan, naglayasan na iyan, takot na. Can you imagine 20 plus thousands extra judicial killings, eh matatakot ka talaga.

And they cannot even realize the fact that there are hundreds of police officers killed and injured, seriously injured in the process of police operations. Eh doon lang, dapat ma-realize nila na hindi ordinaryo ang ginagawa ng mga pulis. They risk their lives.

GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, you mentioned kanina, the government won’t be cooperating with the ICC probe. Does it mean that you will prohibit PNP and other government agencies from giving information to the ICC?

SEC. PANELO: I don’t think they will even give or you don’t have to tell them that.

GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: But if ICC request for infor—

SEC. PANELO: Unang-una, they cannot even come here. They cannot even enter here if that is their purpose – to investigate; kasi they are already intruding into our sovereignty. Eh wala na nga sa jurisdiction eh, pipilitin n’yo pang pumasok.

GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: So government agencies, PNP won’t give information to ICC?

SEC. PANELO: I don’t think they will give any information. Well they can get the facts coming from legitimate sources like you people.

GENALYN KABILING/MLA BULLETIN: Sir, regardless of their decision, do you think the ICC verdict on the case would still matter. Do you think it’s still credible, truthful?

SEC. PANELO: Hindi na nga credible, kasi nga from the very start nga eh, wala ka na ngang jurisdiction, pumasok ka pa; sinasabi ng sarili mong batas hindi ka pupuwedeng pumasok, pinipilit mo pa, eh ano ba—paanong magiging credible?

NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET: Good morning, Secretary. Speaker Arroyo clarified this morning that the House is not withdrawn its version of the 2019 budget. What is the Malacañang’s take on this?

SEC. PANELO: I was with the Speaker an hour ago at an event in Shangri-La BGC and I asked her and she said that they are precisely meeting, I think any time now or they are already meeting… no, not yet siguro kasi mayroon pang Senate hearing eh, I think this afternoon, precisely to tackle that. And she confirmed that it’s Congressman Zamora who is the—who’s negotiating for the…

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: Where did the confusion came from, Secretary? Because it was Representative Zamora who confirmed and even Senator Lacson who said that indeed the House has decided or agreed to withdraw their version of 2019 budget. And here comes the Speaker saying na they have not agreed to withdraw their enrolled copy of the bill. And may I quote the Speaker, she said, “if Congress could not come to an agreement, then there’s no bill to send to the President so I do not know if we will agree.”

SEC. PANELO: That’s the reason why there are meeting today. That’s what she told me, there are meetings now, today. Let’s just wait for them.

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: But may we have your reaction sir because even after the President mediated between lawmakers – Senate leaders and the House Leaders – it appears that the impasse has not been… still continue—

SEC. PANELO: We already have a reaction to that. In fact, I issued two statements on that. So the same statement remains until such time as they submit the enrolled bill.

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: Any move from the President, sir or—

SEC. PANELO: No, we’ll just wait for them to settle their differences.

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: But what if their differences won’t be resolved sir?

SEC. PANELO: Well, we already responded to that, we said we are ready for that.

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: So for now, no move from Malacañang?

SEC. PANELO: No move from Malacañang.

NESTOR/INQUIRER.NET: Thank you.

JOYCE BALANCIO/DZMM: But sir, is the Palace not concerned? Kasi tumatagal nang tumatagal na hindi napapasa iyong budget which means may epekto ito for the funds needed for the programs?

SEC. PANELO: We are concerned, but what can you do if they don’t want. What we can do is to undertake measures to prevent – like the salary of the teachers; we are doing something about that. Eventually, they will have to pass the national budget sooner or later.

JOYCE/DZMM: The Palace will have to wait but you are advising them to at least speed up resolving this issue?

SEC. PANELO: Well, we’ve telling them to settle their differences, we urge them earnestly to pass the bill. We are telling them even that the people will not take it lightly if they continue to ignore the demands of the times.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, you mean Speaker Arroyo and other congressmen are having meeting with senators?

SEC. PANELO: Yes, that’s what she told me.

ARJAY/BUSINESS WORLD: How did you ask the Speaker sir regarding the matter?

SEC. PANELO: Well, she just—I don’t know how it evolved. We were just talking then—yeah, I think I asked, ‘Ma’am, what’s the latest?’ ‘Oh, I’m going to meet with them. Congressman Zamora is the… I think he is handling the ball,’ parang ganoon ang sinabi niya kanina.

ARJAY/BUSINESS WORLD: Did you express any concern, like the concern of the President on the budget?

SEC. PANELO: Wala naman, wala. Iyon lang dahil kasi pauwi na kami pareho, palabas na kami ng hall.

ARJAY/BUSINESS WORLD: Alright, thank you.

PRINCE GOLEZ/PANAY NEWS: Sir, good afternoon. Sir, we understand that the DILG has filed administrative and graft charges against 46 politicians who were allegedly involved in illegal drug trade but criminal charges related to drug offences have yet to be filed against them. Kailan kaya ito sir ipa-file?

SEC. PANELO: Eh hintayin natin, siguro they are still preparing the testimonial and documentary evidence.

PRINCE/PANAY NEWS: Will you urge the DILG sir to file criminal charges against them?

SEC. PANELO: They don’t have to urge, that’s their duty. In fact, they said so that they’re preparing…

PRINCE/PANAY NEWS: Thank you sir.

SEC. PANELO: As soon as they are ready.

ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Sir, can you tell us again kung ano po ang stand ni President pagdating sa mga election surveys?

SEC. PANELO: Election what?

ROSALIE/UNTV: Election surveys. Pagdating sa election surveys, although na-mention na niya before na siya bago siya manalo sa pagka-Presidente wala siya sa survey pero eventually mataas iyong nakuha niyang boto. So ano po iyong stand ni President pagdating sa election surveys?

SEC. PANELO: Wala, wala naman siyang sinasabi kung anong stand niya—ngayon, iyong mga surveys ngayon?

ROSALIE/UNTV: Yes sir.

SEC. PANELO: Wala akong narinig na he mentioned anything about surveys.

ROSALIE/UNTV: Pero does he believes sa mga election survey results?

SEC. PANELO: Well, kung—if you will base it on the previous election where he was the candidate, maniniwala siya. Kasi ‘di ba during the presidential campaign, the surveys showed him winning and he did win overwhelmingly.

ROSALIE/UNTV: So you think that the President believes it will somehow convince the electorate iyon pong survey results to gain support?

SEC. PANELO: Your question should be whether or not the surveys will influence the voters. That’s very difficult to say. Some of the candidates who were not included in the winning… ‘Sorry, I would not believe that,’ of course. As far as they are concerned, that’s only a guide.

ROSALIE/UNTV: The reason I’m asking this questions kasi po si admin senatoriable Bong Go po pasok po sa… pangatlo sa Pulse Asia survey. So what can the Palace say about that result?

SEC. PANELO: Whether or not the Palace believes that he will be—he is in the number three? Three—

ROSALIE/UNTV: Yes, sir.

SEC. PANELO: In the Pulse Survey? Well given the fact that it is very visible, I am not surprised why he is within the top 3. He’s very visible and as we know in this election and for that matter, previously elections, awareness is number one consideration. He may be very good, but if the people are not aware of your name my goodness, wala rin.

JULIE AURELIO/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: Hi sir, two election watchdogs Kontra Daya and NAMFREL are claiming that Bong Go may have committed vote buying when he allegedly distributed cash assistance to victims of a certain fire incident last week?

SEC. PANELO: Why don’t they file if that is what they believe in? You know I looked at the provision, baka mahirapan eh. Kasi what it says there is ‘that will induce the voter to be influenced by what he give.’ Eh mukhang iba ang situation dito kay Bong Go sapagka’t these are donations and they are fire victims. Pangalawa, I read also na it was not even him who gave the so-called ‘cash donation.’ Mahirapan sila doon.

JULIE/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: Pero sir, is the Palace thinking of—or is the President thinking of maybe cautioning Bong Go against doing anything that might be construed as an election offense?

SEC. PANELO: Bong Go is a responsible person and he has his own, I suppose, lawyers surrounding him.

JULIE/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: Thank you sir.

SEC. PANELO: And I don’t think Bong Go will be violating any election offense.

JULIE/PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER: Sir, you mentioned awareness is number one. Compared to the other candidates in the Top 12 of latest survey, si former Secretary Go has not been around as long as the others there. How do you think does this reflect on the President’s iyong sinasabing endorsement power considering that Secretary—

SEC. PANELO: Very strong ang endorsement niya. Apart from that, you must remember that for the last three years Bong Go has been very, very visible, print, media, television. You always see him when you see the President he is there, either he is beside him, he is talking to him or at the background. In all events he is always there. So the awareness is, very high.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Sir, and former SAP Bong Go is still there everytime the President has events anywhere here and—

SEC. PANELO: They are friends and as I said, If I were him, I’d always be wanting to be in the side of the President knowing that this President has endorsed me.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: You don’t see that as an unfair advantage?

SEC. PANELO: No.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Why?

SEC. PANELO: Why should it be unfair, are you going to deprive two people of friendship? I don’t think so.

And all candidates will be doing that, whether you are in the opposition or not. If somebody likes you and he is prominent and influential, you would want to be siding with him.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: And sir on the cash distribution, are you defending Mr. Go on that?

SEC. PANELO: No, I am just giving you my own—as a lawyer, examining the provision. The operative word is ‘inducement.’ If the intention is to induce, then you will be violating the provision. But the problem is: how will you prove inducement, especially in this particular case of Bong Go where there are fire victims. It would be different if you just give na wala namang kadahi-dahilan and then sasabihin mo, ‘kandidato ako, ganito,’ you are already violating.

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: So during campaign season, sir, it’s okay for candidates to give cash to victims of fire or any other calamities?

SEC. PANELO: Ako, if I’m the chairman of the Commission, eh I will consider that kung may tragedy. Baka I will be the one to ask, “uy magbigay naman kayo doon, maawa naman kayo sa mga tao doon, kawawa naman.”

ARJAY BALINBIN/BUSINESS WORLD: Iyong cash, sir, na nakalagay sa sobre na may pangalan ng pulitiko?

SEC. PANELO: Ang problema doon sa sinasabing—pareho rin iyan ng mga violation ng mga streamers, you don’t know exactly kung sino ang nagbigay doon, paano kung iyong kalaban mo pala ang nagbibigay noon, oh di may problema, di ba. Kasi sang-ayon doon sa what I read in the papers, hindi naman daw si Bong Go ang nagbigay.

But knowing Bong Go, I’ve been hearing him, everytime I see him, he keeps on saying, ‘sir they are always saying this and that. I don’t even know.’ Kaya nga sabi niya, I have already make announcement that I will not be receiving any help from any of you anymore, kasi my name is being dragged unnecessarily.

Kaya knowing that man, I don’t think he will allow that to happen. But anyway, if they feel that he has violated, oh di mag-file para magkaalaman ‘di ba. Well, let the Comelec decide.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Sir other topic. Sir, on the controversial Kaliwa Dam, you said yesterday that the government will be studying the proposal of the Japanese company on the construction of the Kaliwa Dam. But there is a statement from MWSS Administrator Velasco saying that their contract with China on the construction of the Kaliwa Dam is already a done deal.

But given sir that this Japanese proposal looks like it’s a better and a cheaper proposal compared to the Chinese contract, will President Duterte order the government to revisit or reevaluate its contract with China?

SEC. PANELO: We will leave it to his judgment call. But if you will ask me personally, if the advantage is so clear, if it is true that the Chinese proposal is onerous, I think we should look into it.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Kasi on face value pa lang sir, the construction cost is 410 million dollars for the Japanese proposal compared to the 800 million US dollars by the Chinese company and that 85% will be coming from the Chinese ODA and 15% will be coming from the Philippine government; compared to the Japanese proposal na full amount will be financed by the Japanese company.

SEC. PANELO: I think that should be thoroughly studied if the claim of the Japanese is true or not. Kasi we don’t know exactly, baka we’re also speculating.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: It’s not speculation sir, kasi it’s facts talaga.

SEC. PANELO: Yeah, those are the facts. Pero why is it—why is the price higher than the other one? Baka mayroong reason ‘di ba, baka ibang technology nila ang gagamitin, baka iba ang… depende siguro.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Next na question, sir: Will President or Malacañang order the reevaluation of the Chinese contract to at least accommodate itong Japanese proposal?

SEC. PANELO: Me, what I will do is I will ask the… this particular Japanese entity or firm to give us a copy of their proposal, and then my office will look into it. And then I will make a recommendation to the President.

PIA GUTIERREZ/ABS-CBN: Thank you, sir.

DANIEL: Sir, pinapatanong lang. Some congressmen are saying na – doon sa water crisis po – na bawiin na lang daw ng government iyong water management. Ano pong comment dito ng Palace?

SEC. PANELO: You mean the concessionaires we’ll put or revert it back? For now, I think the problem only lies with the other concessionaire. And apparently, it has already solved the problem because we have 90%—almost 100% water supply. So if it’s a question of inefficiency or mismanagement, then that can easily be resolved.

DANIEL: Sir for now, wala pang plano na ganoon?

SEC. PANELO: Wala, wala akong naririnig na plano.

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Sir, kasi we have this shooting incident that happened in New Zealand, and now the—

SEC. PANELO: Shooting?

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Yes, shooting incident.

SEC. PANELO: Utrecht mayroon na naman.

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Yes, Utrecht at the Netherlands. Now, how can the government—how can our government prevent this kind of incident?

SEC. PANELO: How can you prevent— [laughs]

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Yes…

SEC. PANELO: —when a deranged person starts shooting people?

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: Yes. What will the government do to prevent this?

SEC. PANELO: That’s why I was asking how can you prevent a deranged man? You don’t even know who the deranged man is. Mahirap na sagutin iyon. Like the one in—saan iyong shooting na iyon? Doon sa ano… sa Netherlands. Kita mo iyong Netherlands, di ba, I read in the papers na mukhang may diperensiya iyong mamang iyon, vinideo niya pa iyong killing. Sa New Zealand nga, hindi iyong sa Utrecht.

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: So, siyempre sir may intel naman tayo eh…

SEC. PANELO: Oh may intel? Can you read the insanity of a person? A normal person suddenly biglang nagwala… ‘di ba, mahirap eh.

VANZ FERNANDEZ/POLICE FILES: So anyway, thank you sir.

SEC. PANELO: Thank you.

USEC. ROCKY IGNACIO: Thank you Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.

Thank you, Malacañang Press Corps.

###

—
Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau-Data Processing Center)