Senate of the Philippines

Transcript of Sen. Bam Aquino’s Media Interview after losing Chairmanship of the Committee on Education

Q: On move from majority to minority, and removal of committee chairmanships

 

Sen. Bam: Well, Joel, naririnig-rinig na rin namin ito kaninang hapon. Palagay ko, sabi ko nga kanina sa manifestation ko, hindi naman ito tungkol sa performance ng mga kumite kasi gumagana naman ang mga importanteng batas sa aming committees.

This is really a political move – a partisan move. Palagay ko, nasampolan kami because we’ve been very adamant about policies like the death penalty. Tutol kami doon. Iyong pagbaba ng age of criminal liability. Iyong pagsuporta kay Senator De Lima. Iyong pagpunta namin sa EDSA.

Iyong pagsabi namin na nakakabahala na iyong patayan sa ating bayan. Palagay ko, nasampolan kami ng Majority. But ganyan talaga ang pulitika. Dito sa Senado, bilangan ng boto iyan.

So, as I said earlier, if that is the price to pay for my independence, then so be it.  

 

***

Q: On removal of committee chairmanships

 

Sen. Bam: Well, usually kasi Joel, iyong pagtanggal mo sa kumite is based on performance. Kung hindi nagpe-perform iyong committee mo, doon ka usually tinatanggal. But in this case, it’s clearly political. Wala naman atang nag-object kung this is a political move.

Ganyan talaga. Ganyan talaga iyong buhay na napili namin but alam mo, noong sumama kami sa majority at sinuportahan namin si Senator Pimentel, isa lang naman iyong hiling namin, na manatiling independent ang Senado. Iyon lang naman ang hiningi namin sa kanya. Na susuporta kami sa mahalagang isyu sa ating bayan gaya ng sa Edukasyon, sa Agrikultura, sa iba’t-ibang bagay – allow for cooperation to happen sa iba’t-ibang polisiya. At sa ibang polisiya naman na tutol kami, hindi lang naman ang LP, ang iba sa amin tutol rin naman – ang payagan iyong debate at payagan iyong pakikipagsapalaran ng ideya. So, iyon naman iyong aming batayan sa pagsama sa majority.

Now, mukhang hindi na yata iyon tanggap at siguro talagang politically, kailangan pare-parehong silang gustong gawin, pare-parehong sabihin, then we respect that. At baka panahon na nga na sumama kami sa minority.

 

***

Q: On independence of Senate voting

 

Sen. Bam: Wala naman, Joel, pero hindi kasi ganyan sa Senado.

In the Senate kasi, bilang isang institution na known for its independence, iyong dynamics talaga dito, is that every senator, may karapatan magsalita at tumutol sa mga bagay-bagay na sa tingin niya o sa tingin niyo na hindi dapat mangyari. And that goes beyond majority and minority.

In fact, I would say, iyong botohan dito, palaging conscience vote. So, hindi kasi ganyan ang history ng Senado natin. In the Senate, may mga isyu, halu-halo iyong botohan diyan. Cross-party, cross-majority-minority. And iyon lang naman iyong hiniling namin kay Senator Pimentel noon, noong sumama kami sa majority, na manatiling independent ang ating Senado.

 

***

Q: On the minority numbers

 

Sen. Bam: Baka lima, baka maging anim. Sa totoo lang, hindi pa kami sigurado. Baka may mga movements pa rin. But most likely, five or six lang, Joel.

 

***

Q: On move from majority to minority, and removal of committee chairmanships

 

Sen. Bam: Well, alam mo, again, dito naman sa Senado, iyong mga batas na mahalaga sa taumbayan suportado naman iyan ng both the majority and the minority. So, iyong mahalagang batas, for example, iyong batas natin sa free higher education, iyong batas natin sa feeding program, nag-usap na rin kami ng bagong chairman at ng majority floor leader, ipagpapatuloy ko pa rin iyan kasi nasa kalagitnaan na iyan ng pagpasa.

I’ll continue that, and we’ll support iyong bagong Chairman ng Committee on Education natin, si Sen. Escudero.

Pero sa mga bagay na tingin natin tutol gaya ng death penalty at pagbaba ng age of criminal liability, siguro, bilang minority, kailangan na talagang tutulan at bigyan ng boses ang mga tumututol dito at panatiliin iyong debate dito sa Senado.

 

***

Q: On removal from the Senate majority

 

Sen. Bam: Palagay ko. Sabi ko nga mukhang nasampolan kami. When we joined the majority many months ago, sinabi ko na independent, ibig sabihin niyan, sa mga bagay na puwede tayo magtulungan gaya ng free higher education, ng feeding program para sa ating mga kabataan, pagpasa ng coco levy, tulong-tulong tayo.

Pero sa mga bagay-bagay na hindi tayo sumasang-ayon, payagan iyong debate, payagan iyong palitan ng kuro-kuro. That was our, iyon iyong aming deal, kumbaga sa pagsuporta sa mayorya noon. Ngayon na tinanggal na kami sa kumite palagay ko hindi na iyon ang gusto nila.

 

***

Q: Is this a warning not to go against the president?

Sen. Bam: I think klaro naman iyon. Kapag mamartsa ka sa EDSA at sasabihin mo na kailangang panatilihin ang demokrasya at kalayaan sa ating bayan ay sasampolan ka talaga. Iyon iyong nangyari sa amin.

***

Q: Si Sen Recto, party member siya, wala siyang sinasabi against the administration. Bakit siya ang pro-tempore?

Sen. Bam: Kailangan siya ang tanungin niyo tungkol diyan.

Ang masasabi ko lang, ang mga natanggal ngayon sa mga committee chairmanships, kami iyong nandoon noong Sabado – we were all present there. Sa mga interviews doon sinabi namin na mahalaga ang demokrasya sa ating bansa, mahalaga na may kabilang boses na pinakikinggan ang taong bayan dahil demokrasya tayo. Maybe because of that, after a few days, ayan natanggal na kami sa aming chairmanship

***

Q: Is it time na mag minority na kayo?

Sen. Bam: Here it is, alam mo naman dito sa Senate iba iba talaga ang botohan ditto, hindi siya laging minority-majority. In fact, pag dating sa death penalty halo-halo ang tutol dito.

 

***

Q: On an independent Senate

 

Sen. Bam: What we want to see is an independent senate, isang senado na independent sa pamumulitika, can go cross party pag kinakailangan, can support reform pag kinakailangan, at kung kinakailangan mag-debate, mag-dedebate. That’s always been what we wanted kaya sumama kami sa majority. But now that they’re taking us out, maybe, sa tingin ko ayaw na nila nun. They want to see a majority and minority along party lines.

 

***

Q: Did you have an inkling on this reorganization?

Sen. Bam: Earlier today may mga narinig kami. Narinig naming it might happen today.

 

***

Q: On losing the Chairmanship on the Committee on Education

 

Sen. Bam: Alam niyo, ang mga committees na iyan hindi lang naman iyan basta basta binibigay. I chose the education committee because may plano kami, may reporma kaming gustong itinulak.

Thankfully, Sen. Chiz Escudero seems to be intent in pushing the same reforms. But it’s not a light matter because you put a lot of effort, you work on these bills, iikot mo yan, hihingi ng suporta sa iba’t ibang sektor. These bills are important. Sa akin kahit wala ako sa majority, alam ko naman na itutuloy nila ang Free Higher Education Act at feeding program.

Pero rule of the majority ‘yan. Ganun talaga sa senado, kung kayo ang nakararami, kayo ang nasusunod. There’s no point crying foul about it because that’s really how things are here in the  Senate. Ganoon ang pulitika dito.

Initially, we joined the majority because we wanted an independent Senate. Iyon iyong pinaka-hiling namin kay Senate President Pimentel, sana manatiling independent ang ating Senado.

Pero ngayon na iyong mga tumututol sa iilang mga polisiya – hindi nga lahat ng mga polisiya – sa iba  pa lang ay tinatanggalan na ng chairmanship, sa tingin ko iba na talaga ang gusto nila mangyari.

 

***

Q: Sir, para bang nagiging rubber stamp iyong Senate?

 

Sen. Bam: I hope not. And, I think naman, my colleagues will not allow that. But it’s pretty clear that if you are vocal on some of the policies of the current administration, talagang may consequences iyon. At ito na nga ang consequences na iyan.

As I said earlier, kung ang kapalit ng pag-commemorate ng EDSA celebration, kung ang kapalit ng pagtutol sa patayan na nangyayari sa ating bansa ay matatanggalan ka ng kumite, eh di, I’d gladly pay that price.

 

Q: Do you see a stronger minority?

 

Sen. Bam: Well, the interesting thing is our stances on issues have not changed. We’re still against the death penalty, we’re still against the lowering of the age of criminal liability. We’re still in favor of a number of the bills that we’ve filed and a number of our colleagues are also in favor of that.

So palagay ko iyong major dito iyong chairmanships. But in terms of policies, I think it will roughly be the same.

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s Senate media interview

On field trip tragedy

 

Sen. Bam: Sumusuporta kami sa CHED at sa LTFRB sa kanilang imbestigasyon sa nangyaring trahedya.

 Alam ho natin napakahirap nito sa pamilya ng mga nasalanta. Our hearts go out to the families, especially the parents of the youth who were killed in this accident.

 Mahalagang maimbestigahan natin at malaman natin ang mga repormang gawin sa guidelines. Malaman din natin kung mandatory ba ito o voluntary nga ba talaga.

 We will support the investigation of CHED and LTFRB and we will be filing a resolution to look into the matter sa ating Committee on Education.

 Probably by next week or next, next week, gusto nating alamin, unang-una, kung ano talaga ang nagyari at kung anong reporma ang dapat gawin upang maging safe ang out-of-school activities sa ating kabataan.

Nagsabi na rin po ang CHED na ang mga waiver na iyan ay balewala. Gusto nating malaman kung ano talaga ang bisa ng waiver. But even with waivers, hindi ibig sabihin niyan, hindi mo na gagawing pangunahin iyong safety ng mga bata.

Gusto nating malaman ang patakaran diyan and also sa pagkakaroon ng field trips. We agree in general na mahalaga ang ganitong klaseng activities but it must be done in a safe environment na alam natin na ligtas ang mga kabataan natin.

 Hindi naman kami naghahanap kaagad-agad ng blame dito sa bagay na ito. Ang mas gusto nating tutukan ang reporma sa ating guidelines upang mas masiguro natin na hindi na maulit ang ganitong trahedya.

Alam niyo, naibalita po iyan na may threat na ibabagsak. Definitely, tutol po tayo diyan. Kahit anumang dagdag gastos na mga activities, dapat po talaga optional at hindi siya part ng iyong grado.

 Gusto po nating makita iyan at maimbestigahan. Again, the committee will support CHED and LTFRB in its investigation.

Hopefully makahanap tayo ng mas magandang guideline for the future habang alam ho natin, nakapasakit nito sa pamilya ng nasalanta, we also want to make sure the rest of the public na hindi ito mauulit.

 

On SPO3 Arthur Lascañas

 

Q: Narinig niyo ba iyong presscon tungkol kay Lascanas?

 

Sen. Bam: Well, a number of us have already said that we will support the Committee on Public Order. Susuportahan po natin si Senator Lacson sa kanyang pagdinig doon sa isyu na ito. And as I said in my statement previously, kailangan ipakita sa Senado na impartial kami at independent. Kailangan pong ipakita na transparent ang proseso at payagan ho natin na mangyari iyong hearing  and then from there we can see kung totoo nga ba iyong sinasabi ni SPO3 Lascañas.

 

Q: May nagsasabi na dapat siyang ma-charge ng perjury.

 

Sen. Bam: Palagay ko. Yes. Alam mo kung under oath ka, at nagsabi ka ng isang bagay tapos binaliktad mo, you are liable for perjury.

So yes, under oath, sasabihin niya na nagsinungaling siya then, yes, he is liable for perjury.

But sa palagay ko ngayon, that’s the least of his concerns. Kasi umaamin siya sa murder. Umaamin siya sa mas mabibigat na mga bagay. Hindi lang sa perjury. Kumbaga, kung umaamin ka na sa pagpatay ng napakaraming tao, iyong pag-amin mo sa perjury, palagay ko, maliit na bagay na lang.

 

Q: Iyong pag-amin niya Sir, so how about iyong credibility niya?

 

Sen. Bam: Iyon iyong kailangan nating malaman. Tayo naman dito, sanay sa imbestigasyon. We can tell kung ang isang tao ay credible o hindi. We’ve had hearings on the BI, the Bureau of Immigration cases. We’ve had hearings on the Jee Ick Joo cases. Sa bawat hearing may mga nagsasalita and it’s up to the senators, the media and the public to determine kung totoo nga iyong sinasabi ng tao o hindi. Many times, kino-call-out namin kapag nagsisinungaling. But there are a few times kapag palagay na namin, nagsasabi ng totoo, kino-call-out din namin na mukhang totoo.                       

 

On Andanar’s allegations of paid media

 

Sen. Bam: Well, alam mo, let’s begin with the USD 1,000. Kayo kaharap ko kayo mga Senate media, ni isa sa inyo may nagsabi na may nag-offer ng USD 1,000.

Wala naman, di ba?  Wala.

So palagay ko mahalaga na i-check ni Sec. Andanar ang kanyang sources kasi baka nalilinlang din siya. Baka iyong kanyang source mismo, misinformation ang pinanggagalingan kaya tuloy nagsasabi siya ng mga bagay-bagay na hindi naman totoo.

Oo, sinabi nga niya na walang tumanggap pero kahit iyong offer man lang. Ni isa sa mga tao dito nagsabi na totoo iyon. At mahalaga na i-call-out natin iyan kasi hindi naman rin tama na kung anu-ano lang iyong sasabihin.

Sasabihin may intelligence report o may source pero wala namang nag-ve-verify. Wala namang sumasang-ayon sa report na iyon.

 So, palagay ko po iyong source mismo ang nagsabi na may offer. Wala namang nangyari talaga. Baka iyong source na iyon ang nagsabi na may destabilization plot sa Sabado na palagay ko, hindi rin iyon totoo.

 

On Andanar’s refusal to apologize to Senate media

 

Q: Iyong refusal, Sir, to apologize…

Sen. Bam: Well, alam mo, iyong… kami naman dito whether elected or appointed officials, sometimes nagkakamali talaga. At kapag nagkakamali ka, dapat aminin mo rin na nagkamali ka. Mag-apologize ka.

Iyong pagsabi kasi na may nag-offer ng USD 1,000 sa media dito sa Senate, it casts a doubt on the integrity of the whole PRIB, lahat kayo dito.

At alam kong masakit iyon. Nag-statement na kayo. Nagsabi na rin kayo wala naman talaga nag-offer.

Palagay ko, what Sec. Andanar can do is to check his sources. I-double-check niya instead of casting doubt on the media and the opposition, check his sources.

And kung malaman niya na talagang wala namang ganoong offer, talagang huwag na siyang maniwala sa source niya. And mag-apologize siya sa senate media.

 

Q: I-reveal na lang niya iyong source niya?

 

Sen. Bam: Well, iyan ang panawagan ng ilan sa inyo dito na i-reveal na lang niya iyong source para malaman natin kung pinupulitika ba iyong mga gawain dito sa Senado o hindi.                       

 

On Sen. De Lima’s call for Cabinet to declare Duterte unfit 

 

Q: Do you agree for them to go as far as that?

 

Sen. Bam: Well, that’s really up to them. Sa kanila iyan. I doubt that will happen because the Cabinet is the family of the President, kung tutuusin pero more than the officials, mas mahalaga kaysa sa amin na mga opisyales ang taumbayan dapat iyong magsalita doon.

Nakakatakot talaga considering na anraming patayan na nangyayari sa ating bansa. Maraming intimidation at harassment na nangyayari online and offline. Pero ang mahalaga espsecially now na inaalala natin ang panahon na tumayo at tumindig ang taumbayan na huwag nating kalimutan, that’s part of the Filipino fabric. Iyong magsabi, magsalita, tumindig kapag may mga bagay-bagay na sa tingin natin mali naman. 

 

On February 25 “ouster” plot

 

Sen. Bam: Well, alam mo, iyan naman iyong dati nang linya ng ating administrasyon kapag tumututol ka kahit sa iilang mga polisiya. Pinapalabas na plotter ka. In fact, maraming beses, napagbintangan na rin ang aming partido niyan.

But kailangan siguro nilang ihiwalay. Ano iyong destabilization plot, ano iyong part of the democratic process.

Palagay ko kasi, baka hindi sanay na may tumututol sa mga polisiya na hinahain nila sa taumbayan.

 We have a lot of policies na mabibigat na dinidiscuss ngayon. Iyong death penalty, iyong lowering the age of criminal liability, iyong ating constitutional changes.. At palagay ko, iyong ating Senate needs to fulfil its role in history na maging lugar kung saan may debate, may talakayan, may pakikipag-usap sa mga tao na iba ang pananaw.

And again, hindi dahil tumututol ka sa mga polisiya, agad-agad ay nanggugulo ka.

This is part of our democratic process. Kailangan pangalagaan natin iyong espasyo na lahat sa atin dito kayang magsabi ng gusto nating sabihin, na hindi tayo na-ha-harass at hindi tayo nababansagan na coup plotter tayo. 

Bam on SPO3 Arthur Lascanas’ statement

In light of this new information, the Senate must undertake an impartial, transparent, and independent investigation.
 
These allegations are serious and it is for the benefit of all personalities and the Filipino people that we come to the truth.

Bam on DOJ’s case vs Sen. Leila de Lima

Without a paper or money trail and with only contradicting testimonies from some of the worst criminals in our country, the administration files charges and seeks to arrest its staunchest critic.

 And while all of this is being done, government spends its resources trying to acquit the mastermind of the Pork Barrel Scam.

Clearly, there is something wrong with this picture. But it is our new reality.

This act of brazen harassment and perversion of our justice system should not be tolerated.

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s questioning during BI scandal hearing

Sen. Bam: Simple lang po ang mga tanong ko but I’d like to bring back the events to the night of the 26th at 27th kung kailan nagkaroon ng palitan ng pera. Previously we had asked Atty. Robles and Argosino kung ano iyong version nila ng kuwento. Iyong version nila, may bribery na nangyari. Hindi nila hiningi iyong pera. Nag-materialize iyong pera. Nasabi naman ni Mr. Sombero na siya iyong nagdala ng pera but in their point-of-view, wala silang hiningi, dumating iyong pera and inuwi nila.

Again, according to them dahil may imbestigasyon.

Kay Mr. Sombero, he was very clear kanina na mayroong extortion attempt. Mr. Sombero, you were very clear earlier. Tatlo ho kasi iyong parties dito.

You have the associate commissioners, you have Sombero and you have the Jack Lam associates.

Gusto kong matanong si Mr. Yu, since mukhang kayo rin po ata ang nasasabing nagmamando ng mga tao. Ano iyong version ninyo?

Was there an extortion attempt? Was there a bribery attempt? Ano po sa tingin ninyo ang nangyari?

Alex Yu: Extortion attempt.

Sen. Bam: Extortion attempt. So, iyong sinasabi ninyong magbabayad ng bail, alam niyo na hindi talaga iyon bail.

Alex Yu: Alam namin, para sa bail. Eh, walang nagyayari afterrwards.

Sen. Bam: When you say bail, ibig mo bang sabihin, pormal na bail o iyong tinatawag na bail para lang ma-release iyong mga workers.

Alex Yu: Pagkaalam ko bail pagka-release ng workers.

Sen. Bam: Hindi siya official na bail. Alam niyo naman iyon?

Kasi may extortion. Sabi mo may extortion. Extortion equals illegal. I just want to clarify and I don’t know if Atty. Fortun wants to say a few words here.

Alam niyo na may iligal na nangyayari nung hiningan kayo ng pera.

Alex Yu: Your honor, hindi po namin alam na may iligal na nangyayari at the time kasi noong time na iyon, nagkakagulo na. So since nandiyan naman ang immigration, nasa Fontana din sila tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, pagkakaalam namin doon na mag-be-bail kasi nandoon na ang mga tao, eh.

Sen. Bam: OK, so gusto kong klaruhin ha.

Ang kuwento ba ninyo ay on the night of the 26th nung pinag-usapan iyong release ng pera na hindi iyon iligal, is that your story right now? You’re under oath, ha!

Alex Yu: Yes, your honor.

Sen. Bam: So, walang tumulong sa inyo na abodago? Sec. Aguirre, may I ask for your help here?

Wala naman hong bail na binibigay sa hotel? Wala naman pong bail na binibigay na personal?

Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre: Wala po. And actually, it should be paid to the Bureau of Immigration.

Sen. Bam: Opo. But wala hong transaction na bail na ligal na ginagawa in a casino, in a hotel, at midnight. Wala hong ganoon? Definitely.

Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre: Wala po. Siguro puwede mangyari iyon kung iyong perang kukuha sa bail ay kukunin sa ibang lugar. But the payment of the bail should be before immigration.

Sen. Bam: And definitely, pag nagbayad po, mayroong resibo iyon? May patunay na nagbayad kayo?

Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre: Definitely, po.

Sen. Bam: OK. Kina-clarify ko lang. Iyong bail na sinasabi ho ninyo, hindi talaga iyan bail. That was an extortion attempt. Sabi nga ho ni Mr. Sombero, extortion attempt. So alam mong iligal. Kayo ho ba, alam niyo na iligal iyong paglabas ng pera na PHP 50 million?

Alex Yu: Hindi rin ho. Nagtiwala kasi kami doon sa, unang-una, Next Game iyong nag-approve, hindi kami. Humiram lang ang Next Game sa amin, inaprubahan nila, pinaliwanag lang sa kanila nila Wally, sila Alex. Kinonsulta naman nila roon sa Next Game. Kasi siyempre, si Wally, inintroduce ni Gigi Rodriguez, na siyang nagbigay ng permit sa Next Game. So nung pagbigay ng permit, si Wally inintroduce nila, sila nagbigay. Nagtiwala kami sa kanila. Iyong Next Game.

Sen. Bam: Gusto ko tanungin si Mr. Yu. Just to clarify, for the record. Sabi mo kanina extortion. At that moment na sinabi ni Mr. Sombero, maglabas kayo ng PHP 50 million na goodwill, iyon po ata iyong term na ginamit, alam niyo po ba na iligal iyon o hindi?

Alex Yu: Hindi po.

Sen. Bam: Kailan niyo, sa inyong salaysay na iyon, na sinasabi ninyo na alam niyong iligal na iyon?

Alex Yu: Iyon, around ano na, 28. Ganoon.

Sen. Bam: Mayroon bang nag-advice sa inyo? Because you know, Mr. Yu, parang ang hirap paniwalaan. Mga professionals naman kayo. Hindi naman kayo mukhang bago sa ganitong negsosyo. Para sa aming lahat, magbabayad ka ng PHP 50 million, sa kalagitnaan ng City of Dream at 2:00 AM, sa mga commissioner, na walang resibo. Wala ho ata ditong magsasabi na mukhang ligal po iyong gawaing iyon. You must have thought twice about it na hindi kaya iligal ito, ini-extort tayo.

Are you saying right now na – I want to ask Mr. Yu – are you saying right now that at that moment, tingin mo, ligal iyon?

Alex Yu: Because of Wally is helping us, eh. Siyempre, iyong tiwala namin, lahat nasa kanya.

 

Sen. Bam: Wally is not a government official. Mr. Sombero is a former PNP Colonel. But you’re not a current… Mr. Sombero, are you a current government official? Hindi, noh?

 

Wally Sombero: I am already retired, Mr. Chair.

 

Sen. Bam: So you are completely of a private citizen. Your nature is completely of a private citizen?

 

Wally Sombero: Correct, Mr. Chair.

 

Sen. Bam: So, bakit kayo magtitiwala kay Wally, na sasabihin niya na hihingi siya ng pera at sa tingin ninyo ligal iyon?

 

Alex Yu: Iyong CEZA kasi iyong nag-introduce sa kanya so iyong tiwala namin and nag-go signal din iyong sa Next Game. Sila rin kasi may kuha ng lisensiya.

 

For us naman, eh, nanghiram lang sa amin, iyong pera.

 

Sen. Bam: Nanghiram, but in your testimony kanina, si Mr. Jack Lam iyong nagsabing ikalat iyong perang iyan para ibayad kay Wally para ma-bail iyong mga Chinese workers.

 

Wala hong abogado ang nag-advise sa inyo na iligal iyang ginagawa ninyo, at that time, on the night of the 26th and the 27th. Mayroon po ba?

 

Alex Yu: Wala po.

 

Sen. Bam: Atty. Fortun, were you already in the employ of Jack Lam at that time?

 

Atty. Fortun: No, Mr. Senator. I only came in on December 1 when Mr. Charlie Ang brought me into that meeting.

 

Sen. Bam: So, iyong desisyon na maglabas ng pera was between…? Sinu-sino po iyong nag-decide na maglabas ng pera?

 

Atty. Fortun: If I remember, your honors, it was really just the decision of the people who were involved in that meeting.

 

Sen. Bam: At that moment? I’m sorry, Attorney, kasi you weren’t there. So let me ask Mr. Ang, you also weren’t there? Wala ka rin noon noh?

 

So, Mr. Yu, sinu-sino iyong mga nag-decide? Si Mr. Ng, ikaw, at saka si Mr. Lam? Tama?

 

Alex Yu: Yes, opo.

Sen. Bam: And at any point, hindi niyo napag-usapan, parang iligal ito ah?

 

Alex Yu: Wala. It didn’t cross our mind.

 

Sen. Bam: It did not cross your mind? Na iyong paglipat ng pera sa mga BI, iligal?

 

Alex Yu: Hindi, kasi, iyong, tawag dito… iyong Next Game ang nagpapa-ano.. sila iyong nagmamadali, at nag-aapura.

 

Sen. Bam: But next game is also… who owns Next Game?

 

Alex Yu: Foreigner, eh.

 

Sen. Bam: Ah, so Mr. Lam does not own Next Game?

 

Alex Yu: No.

 

Sen. Bam: Who owns…? Mr. Ang, are you a part of Next Game also?

 

Atong Ang: Hindi kami Next Game. Sa Fontana kami. Nag-re-rent lang sila sa amin. Ang dami kasing mga ganyang mga foreigner na kumukuha ng lisensya sa First Cagayan, North Cagayan, not CEZA. First Cagayan at North Cagayan.

 

Sen. Bam: Kanina kasi nasabi niyo na si Jack Lam iyong nagsabing maglabas ng pera. At nasabi niyo rin kanina na si Jack Lam, iyong pera ni Jack Lam iyon.

 

Atong Ang: Pera namin.

 

Sen. Bam: Pera ninyo?

 

Atong Ang: Pera ng corporation.

 

Sen. Bam: Ng mga corporation? Na pagmamay-ari rin ni Jack Lam iyong iba?

 

Atong Ang: Your honor, hindi iyun kay Jack Lam. Iyong kay Jack Lam Jimei lang iyon. Pero iyong involved doon mga Taiwanese at saka Filipino group.

 

Sen. Bam: Iyong Lucky Titanium? And pagmamay-ari ba ni Jack Lam iyan? Mayroon siyang shares?

 

Atong Ang: No. Pagka-associate lang po.

 

Sen. Bam: In short, kayo ang inutangan para maglabas ng pera.

 

Atong Ang: Yes, kasi nag-le-lease sila sa amin. May mga deposit sila sa Fontana so puwede namin silang bigyan.

 

Sen. Bam: Ikaw, Mr. Ang matagal ka na rin sa ganitong klaseng negosyo. You’ve been in hearings hearings before. Dumaan na rin kayo sa mga court cases. Hindi niyo naisip na mukhang iligal yata itong hinihingan kami ng pera. Magbabayad kami si kalagitnaan ng City of Dreams?

 

It never crossed your mind?

 

Atong Ang: Unang-una, noong magkagulo, 24 or 25, 26, hindi pa kami ang in-charge diyan. Iyon pang Next Game. So nung kailangan na ng mga pera na, doon pa lang kami pumapasok, eh.

 

Sen. Bam: OK. So your story right now, for the record is, on the 26th, sa tingin niyo hindi iligal iyong ginagawa ninyo. Mr. Yu, for the record.

 

Alex Yu: Hindi po.

 

Sen. Bam: OK. Mr. Sombero, kayo po, nasabi ninyo, alam niyong iligal ang nangyayari. There was an extortion attempt that was happening. Bakit po iyong first reaction ninyo ay magbayad kaagad?

 

Why was that your first reaction? So, nasabi niyo na sa inyong affidavit, hiningan kayo ng pera. Ano ba iyong atin dito, etc. etc. Bakit po ang una niyong napiling gawin, ay humingi ng pera at bayaran kaagad sila?

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, with due respect, hindi po ganoon ang istorya. Hindi po ako nagbayad. Pinarating ko lang po.

 

Mr. Chair, alam ko po na hindi kay Jack Lam iyon. Alam ko po kay Next Game iyon. Ang Next Game po ay CEZA-licensed. Lahat po ng North Cagayan ay member po ng organization. Any locators under North Cagayan is obligado akong tulungan.

 

Sen. Bam: OK, time-out.

 

Mr. Sombero, unang-una nasabi niyo na kanina, alam niyong may extortion na nangyari. So alam niyong iligal ang paghingi sa inyo ng pera?

 

General po kayo noon o Colonel kayo noon. Kliyente niyo po sila.

 

Wally Sombero: Hindi ko po kliyente.

 

Sen. Bam: OK. They’re your partners.

 

Wally Sombero: Not even.

 

Sen. Bam: Anong iyong relationship niyo sa grupo ni Jack Lam?

 

Wally Sombero: Iyon pong sa Fontana, may umuupa sa kanila, iyong Next Game.

 

Sen. Bam: Your relationship to them?

 

Wally. Sombero: I have no relationship with them, your honor.

 

Sen. Bam: Eh, ikaw iyong lumapit sa kanila, eh.

 

Wally Sombero: Hindi po ganun ang istorya, your honor.

 

Sen. Bam: I’m sorry, Mr. Sombero, at least be clear.

 

Nagkaproblema sa Fontana, Mr. Ang. Tumawag iyong president ng CEZA, kausapin niyo si Sombero, baka makatulong siya. Tama?

 

Atong Ang: Hindi po CEZA, First Cagayan.

 

Sen. Bam: Sorry, First Cagayan.

 

Tinawagan niyo siya, “Mr. Sombero, can you help us?”

 

Atong Ang: Tumawag po si Gigi. Tumawag kay Mr. Norman. Dahil humihingi ng tulong iyong Next Game. So ang Next Game naman, siyempre, wala silang ano rito, sa grupo na namin humingi, kay Jack Lam na.

 

So, ang nangyari, ang inintroduce niya si Wally. Dahil si Wally ang may connection sa mga ganyan, eh.

 

Sen. Bam: So, si Wally nga sa tingin ninyo ang tutulong sa inyo sa problemang ito?

 

Atong Ang: Hindi din. Siyang inintroduce nung nagbigay ng lisensiya.

 

Sen. Bam: Yes, so what relationship do you have with Mr. Sombero? Siya iyong tumutulong sa inyo?

 

Atong Ang: Well, Jack Lam, hindi niya kilala si Wally talaga. Totally, hindi. Kilala ko man si Wally, matagal na kaming magkakilala pero hindi kami nagkakausap ng mga ganyan.

 

Sen. Bam: Is he your consultant?

 

Atong Ang: No.

 

Sen. Bam: Is he your agent?

 

Atong Ang: No.

 

Sen. Bam: Is he your representative?

 

Atong Ang: No, wala talagang…

 

Sen. Bam: So, anong relationship ninyo?

 

Atong Ang: Inintroduce lang siya nung North Cagayan para kausapin lang niya which is na air out naman niya ang mga taga-immigration. Naipaliwanag naman niya kay DOJ, kay Secretary DOJ kung ano iyong problema.

 

Sen. Bam: In short, siya iyong nag-aayos ng problema?

 

Atong Ang: Sometimes, may mga tao na marunong na ganyan. So, I think nagtiwala siguro iyong Next Game sa kanya.

 

Sen. Bam: OK. So, Mr. Sombero, ano ang relationship mo sa grupo ni Jack Lam?

 

Wally Sombero: I have no relationship with the group of Jack Lam.

 

Sen. Bam: Ano iyong relationship mo sa Next Game?

 

Wally Sombero: I have no relationship with Next Game, except they are the locator of North Cagayan. And all North Cagayan locators are my also my members.

 

Sen. Bam: So, bakit mo ginagawa ito? Kung wala ka namang relationship kay Jack Lam, ano iyong papel mo dito, Mr. Sombero? What is your role here?

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, salamat po sa tanong. Ako po ang presidente ng AGSPA. Ang AGSPA po ay Asian Gaming Service Provider with the advocacy platform of helping these providers and educating the government that there is a big revenue coming from this area.

 

Sen. Bam: So, ang ibig mong sabihin, because of your role in that organization, gusto mong ayusin iyong problema?

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, with due respect, hindi po ayusin, ipakilala at ipaliwanag ang kultura ng industriya na hindi po ito online gaming.

 

Sen. Bam: Mr. Sombero, let me stop you there. Nasagot mo na rin naman iyan kanina. Noong panahon, according to your affidavit, hiningan na kayo ng pera. Bakit iyong first reaction mo, puntahan iyong grupo ni Mr. Lam at humingi ng pera?

 

Textmate mo si Justice Aguirre, si Secretary Aguirre. Bakit hindi ka nagsumbong kay Sec. Aguirre?

 

Isa kang pulis. Bakit wala kang sinabihan na kapulisan? Na may nangyayaring krimen?

 

I don’t know. Kaya lang, Mr. Morente, kilala mo ba si Mr. Sombero? Do you know of him? Or does he have you number?

 

Comm. Morente: No, sir. I don’t know of him.

 

Sen. Bam: But definitely, may number ka ni Secretary. Bakit hindi mo sinumbong si Argosino at si Robles agad-agad?

 

Why didn’t you do what I would think the natural reaction is of somebody na inosente dito?

 

Bakit iyong first reaction mo, puntahan kaagad iyong Lam group at humingi ng pera.

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, thank you for the question. Ang pulis oepration po hindi ganun kabilis. Wala pa akong nakikitang crime. Kaya nga po inexpose ko ito noong magkaroon ng pera. Ako po ang nag-expose, eh.

 

Sen. Bam: Mr. Sombero, according to the Lam group, ikaw iyong nagsabi kung magkanong ilalabas na pera.

 

Is that right, Mr. Yu?

 

Sino iyong nagsabi kung magkano, kanino bibigay, saan ibibigay?

 

Alex Yu: Si Mr. Sombero, po.

 

Sen. Bam: So, according to them, are you saying hindi totoo iyon? O totoo iyon?

 

Wally Sombero: Totoo po iyon. Pero hindi po ganun ang pananaw ko. Ang pananaw ko, isang business decision nung time na iyon na nag-ne-negotiate. Wala pa akong nakikitang crime doon. Kasi walang pera, eh. Walang ano lahat. Kaya nga po sa COD ko dinala para ma-document kung mayroon man magkakaroon ng bigayan.

 

Ito po ang dahilan ng lahat kaya may ebidensiya. May CCTV. Alam na alam kong mayroon.

 

Sen. Bam: OK, I have a question. Kung nasabi mo kanina walang kinalaman naman si Sec. Aguirre. Textmate mo siya. Bakit hindi mo sinumbong kay Sec. Aguirre?

Or even kay Commissioner Morente, or kahit sino man?

 

Bakit hindi ka nagsabi “They are trying to extort money para maayos ang problemang ito”. Imbis, pumunta ka kay grupo nila Jack Lam at humingi ka ng PHP 50 million. Wala kang pinagsumbungan. Ni isang tao.

 

Wally Sombero: Wala ho akong hinihinging PHP 50 million. Iniimpormahan ko lang sila. Sila rin po ang nag-decide noon kasi ang alam na usapan, may usapang bail. 

 

Alam mo, isa pong business decision on the part. Hindi kay Jack Lam galing iyong pera. Hindi rin po siya ang Next Game. At nandoon po ako bilang isang organization na gusto kong i-save ang industriya.

 

Sen. Bam: Mr. Sombero, kanina iyong business decision naging pay-off eventually, if I’m not mistaken. Sabihin na natin, iyong pay-off.

 

Iyong pay-off na iyan, alam mong iligal. You were a former police officer. Alam mong may nangyayaring masama. Wala kang pinagsumbungan. Kasi kung sinabi mo sa akin, “I texted right away Comm. Morente, Sec. Aguirre. Sinabihan ko agad sila. There is an extortion attempt.”, baka maniwala kami na talagang wala kang kinalaman dito but bakit iyong dulo ng iyong actions is that you eventually facilitated iyong pagpasok ng pera kina Argosino at kina Robles?

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, thank you for that question again. You are a senator and I am a policemen. I have a different perspective in this.

 

Sen. Bam: Sige po, go ahead.

 

Wally Sombero: That’s the reason why I document it. That’s the reason why I coordinated to Gen. Calima. We need an evidence. We have planned for the entrapment operation on November 30.

 

Iyon po ang dahilan. Alam kong safe iyong pera because it was covered by CCTV.

 

If I really wanted to make this transaction safe, I will do it outside, not in COD.

 

Sen. Bam: So, ang sinasabi mo, Mr. Sombero, is mag-e-entrapment ka. Ang kuwento rin ni Argosino at ni Robles, mag-e-entrapment rin sila.

 

Ine-entrap niyo iyong sarili ninyo?

 

Wally Sombero: Mr. Chair, ayun pong nangyari sa COD, nang 1:00 am – 6:30 am, wala pong extortion. Wala pong bribery. It’s a pay-off. Dinocument ko po siya. Nakadocument siya sa CCTV para tumibay iyong ebidensiya.

 

Kasi po dinala ko nga po sila sa COD. Hindi ko kinuha iyong pera sa Fontana na pinapa-pickup nila sa akin.

 

Hindi po ako ang humingi ng pera.

 

Ako lang po ay tinitingnan ko iyong perspective na tumibay ang ebidensiya. I cannot do that if I do it in somewhere.

 

That’s why I brought them to COD. Wala kasing pera doon. Sabi nga ni Alex, “Wala kaming pera diyan.”

 

Sen. Bam: Pero nagkaroon ng pera eventually kasi nakakalat na ng PHP 50 million. So hindi totoong walang pera doon. May pera doon, nakahanap ng pera. Now, totoo nga na may CCTV doon. Nahuli nga ang mga pangyayari. Sorry, Mr. Chair. I know I’m out of time. Just as a last point, General Calima, at what point po nasabi ni.. do you agree with Mr. Sombero’s affidavit and testimony? Do you agree na entrapment procedure nga po ito at pinaalam po niya sa inyo?

 

Gen. Calima: Your honor, iyong unang pagbigay ng PHP 50 million, wala pa akong personal knowledge doon. Iyon na lang second demand nila na another PHP 50 million. Doon po ako nagkaroon ng personal knowledge.

 

Sen. Bam: So you’re saying na itong pangalawang pagkuha ng PHP 50 million, you’re agreeing with Mr. Sombero na entrapment nga ito?

 

Gen. Calima: We planned for an entrapment pero due to off-time, tapos Sec. Aguirre was already in public announcing that there is this bribery attempt so hindi na po natuloy iyong mga..

 

Sen. Bam: Sorry, last question, General Calima. Nabanggit ba ni Mr. Sombero sa iyo na may PHP 50 million na, na nag-exchange hands noong sinabi niya sa iyo na gusto niyang magkaroon ng entrapment?

 

Gen. Calima: Opo. Nung brinief niya po ako tungkol sa nangyari.

 

Sen. Bam: And what is your persuasion here? According to Argosino and Robles, they were being bribed. According to Mr. Sombero, they were being extorted. According to sina Mr. Lam, they were also being extorted. Eventually, nalaman nila.

 

Kayo po, ano po ang kuwento ninyo?

 

Was it an extortion? A bribery? Ano, ho?

 

Gen. Calima: Klarong-klaro naman po na this is an extortion attempt. Napunta na nga sa kanila iyong PHP 50 million. And iyong pangalawa po again, it’s very clear. Nasabi na rin po nila na naka-speaker phone na ito iyong demand ng another PHP 50 million, that they were really demanding for that PHP 50 million in coded terms na Five Folders.

 

Sen. Bam: So, in short, you stand by Mr. Sombero’s testimony?

 

Gen. Calima: Yes.

 

Sen. Bam: Is that the position of BI, Commissioner Morente?

 

Comm. Morente: I support the actions of Gen. Calima, your honor. Because he cleared with me the conduct of the entrapment operations.

 

Sen. Bam: So, kayo rin po, you agree with Mr. Sombero, Comm. Morente?

 

Comm. Morente: I do not agree, your honor. But I support the action taken by Gen. Calima when he was asked to help in the entrapment operations.

 

Sen. Bam: At any point, Mr. Commissioner, hindi kayo nasabihan ni … we established hindi kayo nasabihan ni Commissioners Robles and Argosino. Nasabihan po kayo ni Sir Sombero o ni Gen. Calima before all of this came out in the media?

 

Comm. Morente: Your honor, ang nag-inform po sa akin, si Gen. Calima.

 

Sen. Bam: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Students back free tuition in SUCs, call it way to better future

“We now have a chance to rise from poverty and have a better future”.

 Thus said Jen Mark Calub, an aviation communication student at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA), as he welcomed the proposed free tuition in state colleges and universities (SUCs).

 As a student regent, Calub is aware of the situation that financially challenged students undergo, especially when it comes to payment of tuition fee and other school charges.

 “Every enrollment, students asking for more time to pay their tuition fee due to lack of financial capacity is a common sight in our school,” said Calub.

 “The most common reason is the meager salaries of their parents while other students have to work for their tuition fee,” added Calub.

 Calub said PhilSCA students are now optimistic about finishing their college degree through the help of Senate Bill No. 1304 or the “Free Higher Education for All Act”, principally sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino.

Currently being tackled in the plenary, the measure seeks to provide free tuition fee to all students in SUCs.

 “When we learned about the measure, we now believe that there is still hope for those who want to continue with their education at PhilSCA,” said Calub.

Tristen Jamon, supreme student council president at PhilSCA’s Basa Palmayo Campus, echoed Calub’s view, saying the measure will inspire students to finish their dream degree.

“Ito ang magbibigay sa amin ng pagkakataon upang makamit ang aming mga pangarap at magsisilbing motibasyon upang pagsikapan pang lalo ang aming pag-aaral,” he said.

 A student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman who requested anonymity, said the measure, if passed into law, will help Iskolars ng Bayan like him hurdle financial obstacles that hamper their studies.

 Aside from Sen. Bam, other authors of the measure are Sens. Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda, Leila de Lima, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon.

Bam: Education for youth is the best investment

Education for the youth is the best investment our government can make.

Sen. Bam Aquino issued the pronouncement after several government agencies opposed the measure that seeks to provide free tuition fee in all SUCs. 

The senator affirmed the government’s commitment to provide free tuition in state colleges and universities, saying “If we have the money, why not invest in the future of our youth?”

 “The Senate has chosen this as one of its main priority measures in the 17th Congress,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

 “Too many students fail to graduate college because of financial problems. Suportahan natin ang mga estudyante na makapagtapos. Let’s give them a chance at a better life through education,” added Sen. Bam.

 “If we’re willing to spend over P15 billion to host the ASEAN anniversary this year, why shouldn’t we spend roughly the same amount to make tuition free for our students in SUCs?” the senator pointed out.

 Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1304 or the “Free Higher Education for All Act”, which is currently being tackled in the plenary.

 Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 177 was consolidated in Senate Bill No. 1304 together with other similar measures, which seek to provide free tuition fee to all students in SUCs.

 Aside from the Pagkaing Pinoy Bill, the Free Higher Education for All has received the most support in the 17th Congress.

 Along with Sen. Bam Aquino, other authors of the measure are Sens. Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Pangilinan, Sonny Angara, Loren Legarda, Leila de Lima, Cynthia Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Richard Gordon.

 Sens. Recto, Ejercito, Angara, Legarda, Villanueva, Gatchalian and Zubiri co-sponsored the measure.

 Providing free tuition fee in SUCs is only one of many reforms Sen. Bam is pushing in the field of education.

Bam finds inconsistency in Al Argosino’s statements

Sen. Bam Aquino found a major inconsistency in former Bureau of Immigration (BI) deputy commissioner Al Argosino’s statement during the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the P50-million bribery scandal involving two dismissed BI deputy commissioners.

Initially, Argosino testified that he only informed Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre about the P50-million bribe money on Dec. 13.

Upon questioning by Sen. Bam, it was discovered that Argosino already discussed the bribery incident with Aguirre on Dec. 9 but he didn’t mention the amount and that the money was in his possession.

“On December 9, you had discussed with Sec. Aguirre what had happened. Nabanggit na may pera pero hindi mo sinabi kung magkano? Sen. Bam asked Argosino, to which the latter replied “along that line, your honor”.

 Argosino admitted that it was only on December 13 when he informed Aguirre about the P50 million he received from Lam.

 Aguirre confirmed Argosino’s statement, saying that on the night of December 9, they were not talking about money but only about the supposed bribery.

 Earlier, Argosino admitted to Sen. Bam that he waited 17 days before informing Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente that he accepted P50 million from Lam.

 Argosino told Sen. Bam that he only informed Morente of the bribe money when they filed charges against Lam, Wally Sombero and former BI intelligence chief Charles Calima on December 13.

 “At what point niyo po sinabi sa inyong direct superior si Commissioner Morente na may perang lumipat sa yo? Hindi mo siya sinabihan?” Sen. Bam asked Argosino.

 “December 13, your Honor,” replied Argosino.

“Ilang araw iyon? More than two weeks. 17 days. Hindi mo sinabihan yung boss mo na may ganung kalaki na pera na na sa iyo. Why not? Bakit di mo siya sinabihan?” Sen. Bam said.

Bam to consult students on planned ROTC revival

Nakonsulta ba ang mga estudyante tungkol dito?

Sen. Bam Aquino wants students and their parents to speak up on the government’s plan to revive the Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC) for Grades 11 and 12.

 “We want to know the students’ position on this matter,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam called on students, student councils and parents’ associations to express their views on this plan by submitting position papers to his committee.

 “We will also be conducting online poll through our social media sites to give students and parents an avenue to voice out their opinion before we conduct hearings on this issue,” Sen. Bam stressed.

 At present, three bills calling for the revival of the ROTC are pending with the Committee on Education – Senate Bills 1131, 200 and 189, authored by Sens. JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian and Manny Pacquiao, respectively.

 The ROTC became optional in 2002 through Republic Act 9163 or the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001

Bam on death penalty: Sobra na ang patayan, huwag nang dagdagan pa!

Sobra na ang patayan, huwag nang dagdagan pa!

 Sen. Bam Aquino made this pronouncement as he objected to the restoration of the death penalty amid the unabated and unsolved extrajudicial killings in the country.

During the hearing of the Committee on Justice, Sen. Bam requested concerned government agencies to submit statistics and pertinent data to determine if the justice system and proposed death penalty is biased against the poor.

 “Mga Pilipino ba na naghihirap at desperado sa buhay ang nabibilanggo? Let’s look at the numbers and determine whether our justice system is anti-poor,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam urged the committee to invite a representative from the Supreme Court to clarify unconfirmed reports that 71 percent of death penalty cases reviewed by the High Court were determined to be wrong.

 The senator also wants economic managers and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to speak about the impact of death penalty on jobs and trade agreements entered into by the government in the past.

 “This move will also affect some of the treaties, conventions, and agreements we’ve already signed up to,” he added.

 Instead of restoring the death penalty, Sen. Bam stressed the need to strengthen the country’s justice system.

“In the same way the PNP is now conducting an internal cleansing as they undertake the war on drugs, our justice system must also undergo reforms to ensure that no innocent Filipino is convicted and that there is true justice for the poor,” said Sen. Bam.

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