bama quino

Duterte, Sen. Lacson acknowledge Sen. Bam’s role in passage of Free College Law

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino thanked President Duterte and Sen. Panfilo Lacson for acknowledging his role in the passage of the landmark Free College Law even as he expressed willingness to help the government for the welfare of poor Filipinos.

“Salamat at kinilala ni Presidente ang tinrabaho natin para maisabatas ang Libreng Kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, who pushed for the passage of the Free College Law as principal sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress.

“Basta para sa taumbayan lalo na kung makakatulong sa mahihirap, handa tayong makipagtulungan tulad dito sa batas ng Libreng Kolehiyo,” added Sen. Bam, who also expressed gratitude to Sen. Lacson for recognizing his effort.

Sen. Bam’s reaction came after President Duterte mentioned in his speech in Koronadal City on Tuesday that the senator helped in the crafting of the landmark legislation.

“In fairness to him (Sen. Bam). Nagtulong siya in crafting the law,” Duterte said in his speech.

Duterte’s pronouncement solidified the statement of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who reiterated the important role that Sen. Bam played in the passage of the Free College Law during Thursday’s media interview.

“Siya naman talaga yung nag-labor diyan para maipasa. Siya talaga nagtulak so, I corrected (them),” said Lacson, referring to his tweet giving credit to Sen. Bam for the passage of the important legislation.

“Ang daming claimants na nagki-claim ng credits. So, sabi ko, to set the record straight, si Sen. Bam iyan,” said Sen. Lacson, adding that Sen. Bam was the one who defended the legislation from scrutiny of his fellow lawmakers.

Sen. Bam calls on CHED, SUCs to refund students for tuition and miscellaneous fees

Senator Bam Aquino wants state universities and colleges (SUCs) to refund the fees they collected from students in the second semester of school year 2017-18 with the free college law now in effect.

In a radio interview, Sen. Bam said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should be implementing Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act for the second semester of Academic Year 2017-18.

Sen. Bam said some SUCs have already complied with the law and stopped collecting tuition and other fees from students. However, there were some schools which continue to do so despite the law’s enactment, possibly due to lack of funds.

“Mayroon nang mga SUCs ang hindi nangolekta ngayong semester. Sa mga nangolekta na, ang gusto natin ay i-refund ang ibinayad ng mga estudyante at kanilang pamilya,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of RA 10931 in the Senate.

During the interview, Sen. Bam renewed his call to CHED to fully implement RA 10931, saying Filipino families need it more than ever, especially amid the rising prices in goods and services due to the passage of the tax reform law.

“Kung tutulong tayo, huwag nang magtimpi. Lubus-lubusin na ang tulong, ipatupad na ang libreng tuition at miscellaneous fees,” stressed Sen. Bam.

On Monday, the Senate unanimously supported Sen. Bam’s push for the full and immediate implementation of RA 10931 in the second semester of school year 2017-18.

After Sen. Bam delivered a sponsorship speech for Senate Resolution No. 620 that he filed, the senators adopted it immediately.

In Senate Resolution No. 620, Sen. Bam urged the Senate to express a united front in support of the full implementation of the free college law, in light of the announcement of a June 2018 implementation by CHED.

During his sponsorship speech, Sen. Bam said that representatives from both Houses of Congress expressly agreed on the legislative intent to implement it by November 2017 during the bicameral conference committee on Republic Act 10931.

Sen. Bam also insisted that during the budget deliberation for Republic Act 10931, the CHED-UNIFAST declared to the members of the Senate that the P41 billion budget allocation was sufficient to cover the tuition and other fees in SUCs starting second semester of 2017-18.

The commitment was contrary to the latest statement by CHED officer-in-charge Popoy de Vera that it plans to fully implement the law stating June 2018 for Academic Year 2018-19, with CHED still in the process of finalizing the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Sen. Bam believes that with RA 10931 now in effect and an approved budget to support its execution, there’s no reason for CHED not to attend to its immediate implementation.

Bam to DepEd: No to student drug list!

Sen. Bam Aquino wants the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will not get hold of the results of the random drug testing of students in private and public schools so as to avoid abuses and deaths of students.
 
“The DepEd, as the lead agency in the random drug testing of students, must fulfill its promise to keep confidential its results. Hindi nila dapat hayaang mapunta ito sa kamay ng PNP upang hindi magamit laban sa ating mga kabataan,” said Sen. Bam.
 
“Kung makukuha ng PNP ang listahang ito, maaari itong maabuso ng mga tiwaling pulis at gamitin sa panggigipit. Ayaw nating magkaroon ng isa pang kaso na may mamamatay na estudyante sa ating bayan,” he added.
 
During the hearing for DepEd 2018 budget, Sec. Leonor Briones assured lawmakers that the results of the random drug testing will remain confidential and will not result in the filing of charges against minors who will be found positive for illegal drugs.
 
“Panghahawakan natin ang pangakong ito ng DepEd upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kabataan laban sa anumang pang-aabuso ng awtoridad,” said Sen. Bam.
 
During his time as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam got the assurance from concerned government agencies, such as the DepEd, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), that the random drug testing will not tread on rights of students but merely to determine the prevalence of illegal drugs in schools.
 
The DepEd and other government agencies also assured that they will extend help to students who will be tested positive through a rehabilitation program and peer counseling.
 
Aside from mandatory random drug testing, the DDB has institutionalized the “Barkada Kontra Droga” program to help keep the youth away from illegal drugs.

Sen. Bam disappointed free college bill not mentioned in SONA

“Nasaan ang libreng kolehiyo?”

 Sen. Bam Aquino raised this question as he expressed disappointment over President Duterte’s failure to mention free college education in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Marami pong umasa na babanggitin ni Pangulong Duterte ang napakaimportanteng repormang ito na magbibigay ng libreng edukasyon sa milyon-milyong Pilipino, lalo pa’t pirma na lang niya ang kulang upang ito’y maisabatas.  Nakakapanghinayang na hindi ito binanggit,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam is still hopeful though that the president will decide to sign this bill into law.

 He also mentioned he was happy with some pronouncements during the SONA, including enhancing support for the Armed Forces, improving government efficiency, providing free internet in public spaces which he also sponsored, and some legislative measures like the Land Use Act, BBL, as well as changes in mining policies.

But the senator stressed the need to prioritize free education and give more Filipinos access to a college degree and a brighter future.

“Isabatas na sana ang panukalang ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor and co-author of two measures up for the President’s signature, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Free Internet in Public Spaces Act.

 As principal sponsor, Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation. He also stood as co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 Once enacted into law, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

On the other hand, the Free Internet in Public Places measure will provide free internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries. Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

Sen. Bam to unemployed Filipinos: Negosyo Centers can help you

Sen. Bam Aquino urged unemployed Filipinos to visit the closest Negosyo Center so they can get help in starting a business.

“Habang wala kayong nahahanap na trabaho, bakit di muna subukang magnegosyo. Hindi dapat matakot dahil naririyan ang mahigit 500 Negosyo Centers sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa para kayo’y tulungan,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, the Negosyo Centers have served around 800,000 Filipinos, from retired overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) to plain housewives, giving them the means to supplement their household income through business.

“Sa ngayon, marami nang mga Pilipino ang kumikita sa simpleng negosyo dahil sa tulong ng Negosyo Center,” said Sen. Bam, who has met with some of these successful entrepreneurs during his Negosyo Center visits.

Sen. Bam was the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act during his term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. It was the first of 17 laws passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress.

The Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

The Negosyo Center will provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

Approved loans for small businesses thanks to Credit Surety Fund Act — Sen. Bam

Small enterprises will now benefit from the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015 with the signing of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 “Finally, small enterprises can access loans and financing with the full implementation of the Republic Act 10744,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was the author and principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate during his time as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.

 The law institutionalizes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Credit Surety Fund (CSF) program, which provides small businesses loans ranging from P200,000 to P5 million.

 Sen, Bam pointed out that loan needs for small businesses usually range from P500,000 to P5 million, which is too big for microfinance institutions and perceived as too risky by banks, which usually ask for collateral.

 “Through this measure, we hope more small enterprises will have access to the capital they need to grow their business,” Sen. Bam said.

The law mandates the BSP, local government units, cooperatives, microfinance NGOs and government financing institutions (GFIs) to create an initial fund.

 This initial fund may be used by entrepreneurs and businessmen belonging to cooperatives and microfinance NGOs, which helped establish it, as collateral or guarantee for bank loans.

 Currently, the BSP’s CSFs exist in 46 provinces and cities with two more to be launched next week. As of April 30 2017, the total amount released through CSFs is P3.25 billion to 16,360 MSMEs.

 Republic Act 10744 aims to build the capability of MSMEs, cooperatives and non-government organizations in the areas of credit evaluation, loan and risk management, and good governance.

It also seeks to enhance the MSMEs’ credit worthiness and broaden access to credit facilities, and sustain the continuous flow of credit in the countryside.

“This will generate more employment and alleviate poverty through increased investments and economic activities,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Bam lauds public, private sector for success of Negosyo Centers

Senator Bam Aquino credited the success of Negosyo Centers to the continued cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of government as well as the private sector.

 “Maayos po iyong batas, nakapondo po ito. Ngayon po ipinasa na sa executive. In fairness to our DTI family, buong-buo ang kanilang pagtanggap sa Negosyo Center. They’ve made the Negosyo Center one of their priorities,” said Sen. Bam during the launching of the 400th Negosyo Center in Marikina City.

 Sen. Bam is the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act in the Senate.

Through the Negosyo Center, Sen. Bam said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) now has a frontline service organization that will cater to the needs of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs.

“May 400 na sentro na pong pupuntahan ang ating mga maliliit na negosyante para makahingi ng tulong, kahit saan pa sila bansa,” Sen. Bam pointed out. 

Sen. Bam also lauded the private sector and non-government organizations for its participation in the success of the Negosyo Centers.

“In many areas, the Negosyo Center has become a focal point for support, even NGOs, microfinance groups, basta may kinalaman sa pagtulong sa maliliit na negosyante, ito na ang kanilang bahay,” the senator pointed out.

 The Go Negosyo Act, the first law passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress, mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

 The Negosyo Center will provide access to bigger markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

Sen. Bam continues to work closely with the DTI to ensure the effective implementation of the law.

According to the DTI, the number of Negosyo Centers will increase to 420 by the end of 2016.

Bam: Entice overseas Filipino scientists to return to PH, help in R&D

A senator has filed a bill seeking to provide overseas Filipino scientist with financial benefits and incentives to encourage to return to the Philippines and help boost the country’s research and development.

“Although numerous Filipino scientists would like to serve their country and contribute to our technological, social, and economic advancement, many opt to move overseas where their work is highly valued, and where there are more opportunities to conduct meaningful research,” said Sen. Bam Aquino in Senate Bill No. 1183.

 Sen. Bam saw the need to entice Filipino scientists working overseas to return to the Philippines after research showed that the country produced fewer research papers and file far fewer patents with 1.8 per million population in 2010, compared to Thailand (17.6), Malaysia (43.4), and Vietnam (3.5).

“Filipino scientists have been contributing to groundbreaking advancement in scientific research all over the world with their talent, intelligence, and creativity. Yet as a country, we are lagging behind our neighbors in scientific output,” explained Sen. Bam.

 According to Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology, the measure aims to institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 Reinstated in 1993 by virtue of Executive Order No. 130, the DOST’s Balik Scientist Program has successfully encouraged some of our scientists to return and contribute to research that will address development gaps in the Philippines.

 The Balik Scientist Program provides financial incentives for overseas Filipino scientists and facilitates their return to work on either a short-term or long-term basis.

 The program subsidizes the cost of returning to the Philippines to impart their technical expertise to the nation, while conducting research to address our country’s needs.

 “Institutionalizing this will provide financial benefits to returning overseas scientists, but more importantly, it will signify our government’s commitment to, and recognition of science, research and development,” he added.

 Once enacted into law, Sen. Bam said the bill will assure Filipino scientists that their work is valued and that the government is their partner in promoting, and protecting research and development.

 “It is not just Filipino scientists that stand to gain from this program, but the Filipino people, as the brightest minds pour their brain power to solving longstanding problems like poverty through science and technology,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Transcript: Sen. Bam Aquino’s questions to PNP chief Bato Dela Rosa

2nd day of Senate Hearing on extra-judicial killings (EJKs)

 

Sen. Bam: Gusto ko lang pong linawin ulit, mayroon na po tayong mga nahuli na mga pushers at addicts  — iyon po ay nasa 11,784. Tama po no? Iyon po iyong presentation natin. And of the 756 po iyong napatay during the course of the operations. Iyong isa pa pong isang pinakita ninyo, iyong mga death under investigation. Ito po’y 1,160. Dito po ako gustong mag-focus. Ito po bang 1,160, hindi po ito lahat drug-related no?

Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

Sen. Bam: Tama ba na ito’y during the course of the war on drugs or kasama dito mga non drug-related?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Iyong time frame na kino-consider natin your honor, that is the time that we are waging war on drugs. Nakita na sila ay patay but hindi natin na-establish na talagang drug-related sila. Pero mayroon po tayong na-establish na ibang motibo na hindi related sa drugs kundi personal grudge.

Sen. Bam: Ok nakita ko iyon. So ito ba ang lahat ng death from July to August 22?

Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

Sen. Bam: So lahat iyan. Hindi na natin alam — 757 iyong undetermined doon po sa chart ninyo so ito posibleng ibang motibo, crime of passion, kung ano man.

Gen. Dela Rosa: Puwede rin drugs your honor.

Sen. Bam: Puwede rin drugs.

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Iyong undetermined, pa.

 Sen. Bam: Ok, pero iyong sigurado tayo, iyong 273 dahil ito iyong may placard, hog-tied at iba pa. Paano natin na-determine iyong balanse na drug-related ito kung hindi naman sila naka-placard at hindi naman sila nakagapos?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Iyong mayrong tayong investigation na ginagawa your honor, at na-establish na itong mga taong ito na napatay ay drug pushers.

 Sen. Bam: Gusto ko pong tanungin iyan. Dito po sa 273 deaths na tinatawag po nating drug related, na-investigate po ninyo – iyon po ay 273 drug psuhers?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: At sa inyong investigation wala kayong nahanap na mistaken identity napagkamalan lang o ginamit iyong war on drugs para mapagtakpan ang ibang krimen?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: So far, wala pa your honor. Iyong napabalita sa media na iyong babae, iyong magandang babaeng nakasakay sa jeep na binaril, hindi po iyon drug-related, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Eh, iyong tungkol po doon sa choir member, na mayroon pong duck tape sa bunganga na dine-deny po ng mga magulang. I think this is Tiamson case. Iyon po, nasama po ba siya sa 273? Kasama siya kasi may placard siya, noh?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes your honor, magkasama.

 Sen. Bam: Iyon po ba ay na-investigate po ninyo na isa nga talaga siyang drug pusher?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Ongoing, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: So, undetermined?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Undetermined, pero sinabi na natin na kapag na-classify natin siya na drug-related na-determine na natin na ang motive na drug-related but still, hinahanap pa natin iyong concrete so ongoing pa iyong investigation.

 Sen. Bam: Opo, so iyong tanong ko kanina – sigurado ba tayo na iyong 273 drug-pusher? Sigurado tayo na drug-related pero tatanungin ko po ulit. Sigurado ba tayo na iyong 273 na patay drug pusher nga o hindi?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: When we say drug-related your honor, either pusher siya o user na na-establish doon sa investigation.

 Sen. Bam: So wala ho kayong nakikita sa 273 especially po itong mga kaso na si Ms. Tiamson. Mayroon pa pong isa – iyong scholar dito po sa Metro Manila. Kasi ho iyong kanilang mga magulang at kanilang mga pamilya, dine-deny po na mga drug addict po sila o drug pusher. Sigurado na po ba tayo? Sa tingin po ng PNP lahat po talaga sila drug pusher at drug addict?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Ongoing pa, you honor ang investigation.

 Sen. Bam: Kaya nga General. So kung ongoing pa siya, hindi pa tayo sigurado na drug pusher sila?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: So ulitin ko po. Itong 273, drug-related po siya pero hindi pa po tayo sigurado kung drug pusher nga po sila?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes your honor. Kasi nakalagay doon eh, may karatula. Iyon lang ang basis natin na ..

 Sen. Bam: Opo, pero General, iyon ba ay enough basis na matawag na pusher kung may karatula iyong tao? Kasi marami ngayong umiikot na baka naman ibang krimen ito, pinagtatakpan lang, ginagamit po iyong war on drugs [at] naglalagay ng placard.

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Mayroon pong investigation na ongoing.

 Sen. Bam: Ito pong 273 na napatay, ini-investigate po natin ang kanilang pagkamatay?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Sino po ang nag-i-investigate po sa kanila?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Iyong, depende sa station na nag-co-cover sa area kung saan nangyari, your honor kung may jurisdiction over the case.

 Sen. Bam: Mayroon na po tayong nahanap na suspek. I think yesterday, na-mention po ninyo na may kinasuhan na po kayo. Sinu-sino po iyong mga – you don’t have to name names – but sila po ba ay kasama sa sindikato? Sila po ba’y mga asset ng kapulisan? Sino po ang kinasuhan po ninyo sa mga killings na ito?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Karamihan your honor ay mga drug pusher din na naging hit man ng mga drug lord. Sila po ang nag-e-eliminate iyong mga kalaban, iyong mga kasamahan nila. Kung hindi nakaremit ng pera doon sa drug lord, ah pinapatay.

 Sen. Bam: Pinapatay po?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, po.

 Sen. Bam: So mayroon na po tayong nahuli na ganyan po – hitman, kasama ng sindikato, ginagamit ng mga sindikato. Mayroon na po tayong nahuli?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: May isang napatay your honor. Wala pang nahuli pero lahat po sila ay identified.

 Sen. Bam: Iyong kaso po may mga pangalan?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor. Identified po sila. May kaso na.

 Sen. Bam: So, pag sinabi niyo pong may kaso, naka-file na po iyan sa fiscal?

 Sen. Bam: Ongoing case na po iyan, nasa justice system na po natin?

 Sen. Bam: So lahat po ng mga kasong ito, fino-follow up po ninyo? Ini-investigate po ninyo pareho iyong biktima kung totoo ngang drug pusher o drug addict at ini-investigate po ninyo kung sino ang may kagagawan po nito?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Kahapon nagkaroon ng, I don’t remember kung sinong senador po iyong nagtanong pero kahapon po sabi niyo, o kung ayaw ninyo, huwag na lang natin itong gawin, parang may nasabi kayong gawin. Sa tingin ba ninyo, itong pag-imbestiga sa mga napatay ng vigilante o napatay ng mga sindikato, ito po ba’y pabigat sa inyo o kasama sa inyong trabaho bilang PNP?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Kasama po sa trabaho namin iyan, your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Ano pong paningin niyo sa mga ganitong klaseng pagkapatay. Ito po ba’y nakakatulong sa war on drugs o nakakasama ito sa war on drugs natin?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Nakakasama po iyan, your honor dahil, as I have said, I don’t like, personal e. Kahit hindi ako chief PNP, kahit ako isang sibilyan, ayaw na ayaw ko po iyong extra-judicial killing. I hate to use extra-judicial killing, dahil mayroong contention ang isang senador natin na ayaw niya ang term na iyan but iyong vigilante killing, ayaw ko po iyan your honor.

Ilang beses ko nang hinamon ng barilan iyong mga vigilante na iyan. Kung gusto niyo pumatay ng tao, bakit papatayin niyo ang tao na walang kalaban-laban, ako ang harapin niyo.

 Ilang beses ko nang hinamon ang mga magagaling diyan na pumatay, ako ang harapin niyo, magbarilan tayo. Hinahamon ko iyan sila your honor, ayaw ko iyang ginagawa nila.

 Sen. Bam: With the full force of the PNP, iyong lahat ng makakaya ng PNP, iyong lahat ng inyong kaalaman, intelligence, assets, hinahabol niyo ba ang mga vigilanteng ito or hindi natin hinahabol?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Hinahabol po your honor kaya ongoing ang ating investigation. Kaya may na-identify tayo dahil sa investigation natin. Ang na-identify natin kasalukuyan nating hinahanap, nagtatago po iyon dahil miyembro ng sindikato.

 Sen. Bam: Kahapon napag-usapan natin iyong mga pulis na nasangkot sa droga. Alam ko po, mabigat po ito sa inyo. Gaano po na-infiltrate ang ating PNP ng mga masasamang elemento na connected sa droga? Malalim po ba ito? Iilan lang po ba ito o marami po ito?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Kung sa standard ko your honor, on my personal standard, marami na po. Gusto ko zero drug-tolerant your honor. Ayaw ko na kahit isang pulis ko na involved sa droga. Ito’y po’y sobra sa sampu, sobra sa 100, umaabot ng 300, mabigat ito sa akin.

 Sen. Bam: 300 na po ang nasa watchlist niyo, nakita ko po.

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Yes your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Sa kutob niyo, ilan po ba talaga iyan? 500? 400? 1,000? Ilan po ba talaga?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Honestly your honor, aakyat pa ang number na iyan. Sa naglabasan na information, marami. Ang aming watchlist sa intelligence, nabulaga po kami. Iyong nag-start ang aming war on drugs, nagpasukan ang information na eto pala tumatanggap ito, eto pala nagbebenta pala ito. Dahil nag-cooperate na ang buong bayan.

 Hindi lang government approach ang ating war on drugs. Naging whole of nation approach na dahil lahat ng communities, nagtutulungan lahat, nagbibigay ng information kaya dadami pa iyan your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Ano po ang dapat gawin sa mga pulis na kasangot sa droga?

 Gen.Dela Rosa: If I have my way, your honor, hindi ko na lang sabihin, pero hindi ko talaga ma-imagine na pulis, na nag-swear to serve and protect, tapos ikaw ngayon ang nakapatong sa droga. Hindi ko sabihin dahil masama your honor, pero alam niyo na ang ibig kong sabihin. Gigil na gigil po ako your honor.

 Sen. Bam: Iyong atin pong taumbayan, alam ho nila na may masasamang elemento. Hindi po lahat. Marami hong mabubuting pulis pero marami ring masasamang element. Kapag kinakatok na sila sa bahay, kapag hinihiling silang mag-meeting, hindi na nila alam kung ang kausap ko, masama o mabuti kaya marami pong natatakot. Ano po ang maipapayo niyo sa taumbayan kung sila po, nakita nila ang isang pulis, hindi nila alam kung ito’y kasangkot o ito’y malinis? Ano po ang puwede nilang gawin?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: This I can assure you and the public, na iyong mga pulis na markado na kasama sa sindikato sa droga ay dahan-dahan na pong nawawala sa kanilang assignment. Nilipat na po namin sila at hindi po namin ini-involve sa Oplan Tokhang at Oplan HVT kasi po, habang nakikita sila ng taumbayan, hindi maniniwala ang taumbayan na itong kampanya ng pulis laban sa droga ay seryoso dahil andiyan pa si PO1 at PO2 ganon kaya tinanggal namin.

 Kanya-kanyang diskarte na po bawat region. Mayroong naghaharana para hindi matakot ang tao. Mayroon pong libreng sakay, kanya-kanyang diskarte.

 Sen. Bam: Iyong kahapon po na salaysay ni Mary Rose, may mga napangalanan po siya. Nasaan na po ang mga iyon? Sila po ba’y na-transfer, kinasuhan o naroon pa po sa Antipolo?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Your honor, honestly, napahiya po ako kahapon dahil sa testimony ni Mary Rose. Right after ng Senate hearing, ako mismo pumunta sa Rizal PPO, hinanap ko ang pulis na involved.

 Sen. Bam: Mayroon bang pulis na ganon ang pangalan?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Mayroon your honor. Humarap na po sa akin. Pinatanggal ko na sila sa Rizal PPO at pina-assign ko sa Crame para doon i-confine namin at ready to face the IAS anytime for investigation.

 Tinanggalan na po namin ng armas. Huwag po matakot sila Mary Rose. Hindi na po kayo under threat kasi iyong mga pulis na iyan, tinanggal na namin doon.

 Umuwi na po kayo sa inyo. Puwede niyo na tanggalin ang cover sa mukha, please. Andito kami. We’re here to protect you. Huwag kayong mag-alala, iyong mga pulis na iyan, naka-confine nap o.

 Sen. Bam: Gina-guarantee niyo ba ang safety ng witnesses natin, general?

 Gen. Dela Rosa: Pumunta kayo sa akin, patirahin ko kayo sa White House, safe kayo doon.

TRANSCRIPT: Bam on Leni Robredo, Negosyo Centers

Transcript of Interview in General Santos City, 11 January 2016

 

Q: Unang una po sa lahat Sen. Bam, kumusta po kayo? Ano po ang mahalagang bagay sa pagpunta ninyo dito sa Socsargen ang tinitingnan ninyo?

 

Sen. Bam: Opo. Nagbabalik po tayo dito sa General Santos. Kagabi po tayo ang guest speaker sa Hinugyaw Festival ng Koronadal, ito po ang panghuling gabi nila. Nagkaroon po ng napakasayang street dancing, at tayo po ang special guest po doon, at natutuwa po kami at nakabalik kami sa Koronadal gaya po sa General Santos. 

 

Parang dalawang taon na bago tayo makabalik and we’re happy to be back. Kitang kita po napakaraming pagbabago po dito. Napakaraming mga bagong building, mga bagong highway.  Napakalawak at nagulat din ako. Just happy to be back dito sa napakagandang Socsargen. 

 

Ngayon po na pasimula na po ang session namin sa Senado, magsisimula na po next week.  Mayroon pa po kaming tatlong linggo para itulak ang mahahalagang batas na nakabinbin pa. 

 

In the past 2 ½ years, nakaka 8 laws na din po tayo. Ang una po nating batas ay ang Go Negosyo Law, nagbubuo po ito ng mga negosyo sa iba’t ibang lugar. 

 

Dito po sa General Santos, sa DTI building, mayroon po tayong Negosyo Center dito. Ito po ang negosyo center na may pinakamaraming na-train na maliliit na negosyante.  Over 5,000 po dito po sa General Santos kaya po natutuwa naman po kami. 

 

Nasa Koronadal po kami kagabi mayroon na din pong bagong negosyo center po doon. Iyon po ang laman ng Go Negosyo Law po natin.

 

Q: So marami pong nagkabenepisyo na po? 

 

Sen. Bam: Well sa Koronadal 3 weeks old pa lang siya. December 31 po siya itinayo, pero ang dito po sa GenSan May pa last year. I think over 5,000-6,000 na ang natutulungan. 

 

In the Philipines mayroon na tayong 130 na Negosyo Centers and this is because of the Go Negosyo Law natin. 

 

This year 2016, magkakaroon pa tayo ng dagdag pa. Ang total po by the end of this year 2016, magiging 300 Negosyo Centers na tumutulong po sa mga maliliit nating negosyante. 

 

Q: Sen. Bam, ang balita po namin kayo po ang campaign manager ng LP, at lalong lalo na po kay vice presidential candidate na si Cong. Leni. 

 

Sen. Bam: Opo ako po. Well nag volunteer po ako at naatasan din na maging campaign manager ni Cong. Leni Robredo at natutuwa naman po ako na maging kasama sa kanyang balak na pagtakbo na VP ng ating bansa. 

 

Tingin po namin siya po yung pinaka mainam at pinakamaayos at pinaka-deserving na maging VP po ng ating bansa. 

 

Q: Kasi dito sa GenSan hindi pa masyadong kilala si Cong. Leni Robredo. Anong klaseng congressman po siya or ano po ang background niya? 

 

Sen. Bam: Actually sa totoo po si Cong. Leni, siya po ang pinakabagong national face na lumabas, October lang po siya nagdeklara. 

 

Alam ko din po ang kanyang asawa na si Jesse Robredo malapit po sa mga mayors and governors dito sa Mindanao, in fact sa Koronadal po may Jesse Robredo Avenue na nakapangalan sa kanya. 

 

But more than that, siya po ay isang tao na matagal nang nagtrabaho sa komunidad. Matagal na nagtrabaho kasama ang mahihirap sa ating bansa. Naging isang abugado sa Public Attorney’s Office, libre pong pagbibigay ng mga pagdedepensa sa mga kababayan nating nasasakdal na walang pera.

 

Sumama po siya sa Saligan, again nagbibigay po ng tulong, tulong ligal na libre sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda, katutubo.  Iyon din po ang klase ng kanyang liderato. 

 

Doon po talaga sa mga tao, sa mga komunidad, wala pong pag-aatubiling tumulong sa mga nangangailangan sa ating bayan. 

 

Q: Ano po ang mga plataporma po ni Cong. Leni?

 

Sen. Bam: Well hindi po lalayo sa kanyang karanasan na pgtulong sa ating mga kababayan. Una po riyan ang economic empowerment po sa mga kababaihan. Siya lang po ang babaeng tumatakbo na VP, so naka-focus po ang economic empowerment pagdating po sa mga kababaihan at pagtulong po na magkaroon ng trabaho at negosyo.

 

Iyong pangalawa po riyan ay ang paglaban po sa gutom.  Kasi ang hunger lalo na sa rural country side natin ay napakatindi pa rin.  So ang paglaban po riyan gamit ang ating kultura at gamit po ang tulong sa ating mga kababayan na nasa kanayunan. 

 

Ang pangatlo po pagsisigurado na ang ating kanayunan ay umunlad. Kasi po sa Metro Manila sa totoo lang napaka-congested na.  Napansin ko rin dito may traffic na rin po. 

 

Kita naman po natin na malakas ang traffic dahil ang ating development ang naka-concentrate sa mga siyudad.  Dapat po ang mga kanayunan natin ay mayroon ding development para po ang mga kababayan natin, hindi na kailangan pumunta pa sa mga siyudad. O di kaya ay mahanap nila ang mga kanilang hinahanap doon sa kanilang nilalagyan. 

 

Ang Naga po in the 19 years na panunungkulan po ni Sec. Jesse, nag-transform po ang Naga, mula sa isang 6th class municipality, naging isang siyudad. 

 

Nakita po roon na hindi na kailangan pumunta ng Maynila upang makakuha pa ng oportunidad. Doon mismo sa Naga, nagawan na nila ng paraan para umunlad ang kanayunan, naging very successful, naging progressive.  

 

At ang mga tao po roon, doon na nila nakita ang kanilang kasaganahan. 

 

That’s another thing na binibigyan po niya ng pansin. Ang mga pagtulong po sa mga provinces natin, cities, municipalities na wala sa Metro Manila na magkaroon ng sapat na tulong upang sila mismo umunlad din. 

 

Alam ninyo po, si PNoy kasama ko rin, hindi naman po kami pipili ng hindi makakatulong sa ating bansa. Kami po napaka-excited po namin sa kampanyang ito. 

 

Naniniwala po kami na siya ang the best and most deserving po na makakuha ng tulong sa ating susunod na eleksyon. I’m very excited to work with Cong. Leni Robredo and Sec. Roxas as well. 

 

Q: May mensahe po ba kayo sa GenSan at sa Mindanao?

 

Sen Bam: Ako naman po hindi naman ako tatakbo. Campaign Manager. 

 

Kasi ang palaging batikos sa amin ang mga tumatakbo pumupunta lamang sila pag eleksyon. Ako po hindi po ako tumatakbo pero nandito po ako. 

 

Unang una, para masigurado ang mga programang tinutulak namin ang totoo. Ang Negosyo Center po, iyan ang laman ng aking unang batas, iyong Go Negosyo Law. 

 

Sinisigurado po natin na bawat lugar functioning hindi lang po magandang building, kaya po dito sa GenSan, sa DTI siya nakabase.

 

Sana po puntahan ninyo po kung kailangan ninyo ng trainings, paghahanap ng pondo, mga bilihin sa mga merkado.  Pumunta po kayo para ma-avail ninyo po ang services sa negoso centers natin. 

 

Kung hindi po maganda ang experiences ninyo, pakisabi po sa Facebook page kasi mino-monitor po natin. Kung maganda po ang experiences ninyo, sabihin niyo rin po sa amin para mabigyan naman natin ng complement yung mga centers po natin. 

 

Dito po sa Socsargen, nakita po natin na very active ang pagnenegosyo. Ang maliliit na negosyo kailangan natin tulungan upang maging stable, sustainable, at maging mas malaking negosyo. 

 

Iyon naman po ang naging pangako natin 2 ½ years ago at itutuloy po natin yan. So ako po, I just hope na makakabalik po ako ulit at sana sa pagbalik natin mas makita pa natin ang kaularan especially po sa mga small business owners natin. 

 

In the next election sana po piliin natin ang tutulong talaga sa ating mga kababayan especially po nasa ibaba, nasa labas, at nasa laylayan ng lipunan, iyong mga nangangailangan sana po piliin natin mabuti ang ating leader. 

 

Iyong puso po nila nasa mahihirap sa ating bansa. Salamat po.

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