Press Briefing by Communications Secretary Ramon A. Carandang:

On the President’s Gold Standard Award, the aims of the Official Gazette website, the 2010 official deficit figures, the EO on open skies and illegal logging, the Responsible Parenthood Bill, on the car napping and killing incidents, the over importation of rice, and other topics

Briefing Room, 2/F New Executive Bulding, Malacañang, Manila

January 21, 2011; 11:50 hrs. EST

SECRETARY RAMON A. CARANDANG: Good morning, Marie. Good morning to the Malacañang Press Corp.

I’m subbing today for Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda because he is in Hong Kong to accept the Gold Standard Award for political communications on behalf of President Aquino. The Gold Standard Award is awarded by the Public Affairs Asia publication. It’s an international communications-related publication. President Aquino won for political communications. Among other people who were short-listed for the award was Ambika Soni, who’s India’s prime minister of information and broadcasting and Lee Kwan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore, now, minister-mentor.

President Aquino won the award for two things—basically, for his efforts to put government publications online, primarily through the Official Gazette. As you know, the Official Gazette aims to put all historical documents emanating from the government online. We’ve already seen that at least speeches, pronouncements are already on the Official Gazette. The long-term plan of the Official Gazette, just to remind you, is to put all of these historical records eventually online and give the public access to that. Also, the President won for his ability to communicate his message: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” It is a message that we have brought domestically and also, internationally. To give you an example, when we were at the APEC meeting last year, there was much talk about trade, lifting trade barriers, but it was President Aquino of all the other leaders gathered there, who gently reminded his fellow leaders that any growth from trade must include and must benefit the poor. So, it is for these efforts that President Aquino has won the award, the Gold Standard Award.

Secretary Lacierda, who accepted the award for him last night, will be back in town tomorrow. So that is my opening statement—questions?

Q: How far below the 325 ceiling are we coming as far as the 2010 deficit is concerned?

CARANDANG: Okay, I want to give you a little bit of something new. We don’t have the official deficit figures. The DOF—we just talked to DOF, they’re closing the books. They expect to have the official deficit figure by February. But if you listen to statements made previously by Secretary Purisima and Secretary Abad, they have expressed confidence that the deficit, because of the prudent spending, will come in below the 325-billion peso target. So, again, the official figure in February and there is reason to be optimistic that those targets have been met and perhaps, even lower than the ceiling.

Q: Sir, the economic managers would revisit our macro targets for 2011 next week. So, is there… Do you think there is reason to revise any of the targets?

CARANDANG: I spoke to Secretary Paderanga yesterday, Joel. And, there has been no discussion on that level on the economic manager’s level of revising the targets for next year. They’re fairly confident that at this early stage that there’s no need to revise the targets. We’ll see what happens throughout the year. There are many things that could happen that may not necessarily be expected and if those things happen, then they will probably look at revisiting the numbers, but for now, it’s only January and the numbers, there’s no need to change the numbers at this point.

Q: Sir, one last point. What’s taking the revisions on the open skies EO? What issues… may thorny issue ba na nire-resolve?

CARANDANG: No. There aren’t any thorny issues. In principle, I think you’ve seen the broad stokes of it. It will be a pocket open skies. It will… What we’re trying to do right now is to try to find the balance of liberalizing air transport for the benefit of the public and at the same time, not dealing too harsh a blow to our domestic carriers. So, there’s got to be some… It has to be very measured and very deliberate when we begin to liberalize aviation and I think in a few weeks you will see that EO comes out.

Joel, may I just add, I think some of the local airlines have expressed confidence that despite the liberalized environment, they will be able to compete. So, mukhang sumasang-ayon naman ‘yung mga ibang airline—mga local airlines dito sa ginagawa nating airline liberalization.

Q: Pero sir, their [airline companies] shares are going down?

CARANDANG: That’s a market reaction. I think that’s a normal market reaction to times of uncertainty, but Cebu Pacific in particular, kaya nila ‘yan. They have already begun to compete in other markets besides the Philippines. So, they’ve shown that they’re one example of a Philippine company that can compete globally.

Q: Sir, may hiningi bang safeguards and if these carriers… has the government responded to it?

CARANDANG: No, there’s been no lobbying to the economic team for specific safeguards and I think they’re confident that when we come out with it. There will be, as we said, a balance between the consumers. I mean, enhancing the value for consumers and providing an environment that the local airlines can still compete in. Alam naman natin ‘yung ibang detalye dito. There will be… NAIA will most likely remain Philippine Airlines’ local airlines’ control. There will be open skies for other major airports. We’re probably not going to have any sabotage. These are some of the measures we’re putting in place, so that, ‘pag nandito na si airlines, we’ll continue to have those… we’ll continue to have profitable operations.

Q: Hi sir, good morning. Sir, I know this was asked yesterday, but can you provide us additional details, more clarification on the Responsible Parenthood bill—its difference on the RH [Reproductive Health] bill?

CARANDANG: There are seven versions of RH bill pending in Congress, if I’m not mistaken. And, ‘yung iniisip natin has always been very consistent with what President Aquino has said. Number one, ang pinakamahalaga diyan, there is free information. Kung mahirap ka and you don’t have access normally to the kind of information you would need to make a proper choice, ibibigay natin sa inyo ‘yan. Secondly, we would provide contraceptive methods without bias for any particular method. And pangatlo, ‘yung mahalaga rin kay Pangulong Aquino is that there would be no abortifacient methods that would be supported by the government. So, we’re going to try to reconcile kung ano ‘yung mga priorities ni Pangulong Aquino doon sa mga bills na nakalatag na ngayon. And at the end, we’ll probably submit our own, or if there’s a bill that fits that, we may choose to support that bill.

Q: Sir, can we take it to mean that the decision of the President to endorse this bill— the Congress already has the blessing or the approval of the Catholic Church?

CARANDANG: I’m not sure what the talks… There are ongoing dialogues with the Catholic Church and there are certain things that are being discussed right now that I cannot reveal, but we’re confident that we can come up with something that everyone could live with.

Q: But sir, with or without a say from the Catholic Church, the [unclear] will still be submitted to Congress?

CARANDANG: The President has always been consistent in his position here and he understands the sensitivities of the Catholic clergy and we think we can come up with a measure or support a measure that already exists, one or the other, which would satisfy all the parties.

Q: Sir, just one last issue on my end. A group of militant… sorry. Families of, victims of Mendiola massacre are asking for a revival of the investigation of the 1987 incident. Any reaction from the Palace?

CARANDANG: I don’t think it’s helpful for us to regurgitate issues that have been resolved years ago. We cannot keep revisiting issues over and over again. If someone wants to file a case in the courts and ask the courts, it’s really up to the courts to do that. Pero sa amin lang, parang na-resolve na ‘yan. There doesn’t seem to be a need to revive issues that have already been resolved. But again, without prejudice to anyone who wants to bring it up.

Q: Sir, they’re asking the DOJ, would…

CARANDANG: Well, let’s… I think we should ask the DOJ if they’re inclined to do that. Pero, ‘yung posisyon namin, is they’re issues that have been resolved and there’s really no practical point in bringing that up again. Again, if the DOJ feels that there is merit to it, then the DOJ can act.

Q: Sir, good morning. Sir, in line with the carjacking/carnapping incidents, has DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno taken actions in his in charge of peace and order?

CARANDANG: DILG has taken action, in coordination, of course, with PNP and local government officials. Mamayang hapon, some PNP officials will be here to explain to you exactly what they’re doing. On Monday, I think we can expect Jesse Robredo to be a guest here at the Palace, so he can further elaborate on the steps being taken.

Q: Sir, but particularly, Usec. Rico Puno, is he also involved, aside from Mr. Jesse Robredo.

CARANDANG: Yes, that’s part of Undersecretary Puno’s portfolio and therefore, he is going to be involved in this. But you’ll be speaking to Secretary Robredo about it on Monday.

Q: Sir, on another issue, is there any confirmation on the reports that the President will endorse former Senator Mar Roxas in 2016.

CARANDANG: No. Let me again, clarify that there was a Liberal Party gathering two nights ago here in Malacañang and the President said something like this, in his remarks, he said, “For all you know, once I’m finished, it could be Senator Roxas who’s sitting here in my place.” When sought for clarification, the President said it was too early to be making any endorsements. So, I would not take that at this point as an explicit endorsement of Senator Roxas. Masyado pang maaga. It’s only 2011.

Q: Sir, on the compromise deal regarding Pagbilao, have you finalized the amount that would be given to the…

CARANDANG: No. Talks are still ongoing and we’ll have an update for you once the governor and the Palace have reached a final agreement.

Q: Sir, how will you address concerns that this is a bailout of another foreign corporation using taxpayer’s money? Congressman [Teodoro] Casiño has said that this is illegal and immoral for the government to condone debts.

CARANDANG: Nobody is saying at this point about condoning debts. Again, they’re sitting down with the province of Quezon to work out a compromise that will work for the benefit of everyone. Who can complain about the government of Quezon receiving resources to fast-track projects? Who can complain if the government saves much needed cash for other more immediate needs? Who can complain if investors are happy? All of these will reel down to the benefit of the economy, so I don’t see how that can be conceived as immoral or a bailout. I think it’s a situation that we can use and that will eventually, help out and benefit all the stakeholders.

Q: Sir, good morning. In favor po ba ‘yung Palasyo doon sa proposal ng ibang grupo, pati ni General David na magkaroon ng fixed term ‘yung AFP chief of staff post?

CARANDANG: Well, Rose, hindi ko pa nakakausap si Pangulong Aquino tungkol doon, but our understanding is that General David supports that. Some of our allies sa Senado and sa House support that. It is certainly a measure that is worth considering so we would seriously think about that.

Q: Sir, this early, would you know kung nakapag-submit na si General David ng mga choices niya for his successor?

CARANDANG: I’m not sure at this point kung nakapagbigay na siya kay Pangulong Aquino ng ganoon. He does have some meetings scheduled with the President and that might be taken up, but as of now, wala pa.

Q: Open ba, sir, ‘yung Palasyo sa possibility na ma-extend ‘yung term ni General David para lang sa continuity ng programs and at the same time, siya ‘yung first chief of staff kasi ng administration?

CARANDANG: At this point, Rose, wala tayong pinag-uusapang ganoon—extension of term of General David. I would not completely rule it out, but I don’t think that’s on the radar at this point.

Q: Sir, follow-up lang po doon sa Responsible Parenthood bill. Sir, hindi po ba layunin ‘yung pagpapalit ng pangalan from RH bill to RP bill ay to discredit na ito’y… na ‘yung RH bill, ‘di ba, proposal ‘yan sa isa sa mga critic ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino na si Congressman Edcel Lagman. Hindi po ba ‘to discredit lamang po ‘yun?

CARANDANG: No. In fact, despite the fact that Congressman Lagman is on the opposition, he has been very supportive of efforts of the administration to push some kind of responsible parenthood measure and we appreciate the support of Congressman Lagman on that. The calling it of Responsible Parenthood, I think is just more accurate. It’s really a bill that we feel focuses more on responsible parenthood and it’s just that—it’s just names. It has nothing to do with whether or not Congressman Lagman proposed that. In fact, ang nangyayari ngayon, is kahit anong bill na isulong ng kongresista o senador that has to do with that is called an RH bill. So, we can call it Lagman’s RH bill. I think Akbayan has an RH bill version. It’s nothing to do with Congressman Lagman and in this particular case, I think we see eye to eye.

Q: Sir, ‘yung ‘di ba mga… ngayon daw ‘yung deadline ng pagsu-submit ng final list ng priority bills. Mayroon na po bang… may final na po kayong, alam na po ba ninyo?

CARANDANG: Ako, personally, wala pa akong alam na final list. I think the President said that they wanted it cut down some more—even more pa. And, I think that’s being worked out na within the Palace.

Q: And last question po, sir. Update lang po doon sa LEDAC. Nine days na lang po bago matapos ‘yung January. Mayroon na po kayong date kung kailan? Naghahanda na po ba kayo?

CARANDANG: Itong paghimay doon sa mga proposed legislation is the… ‘yung paghahanda nga ‘yun and they expect to have the final list in a matter of days—before the end of the month. Sinabi nga ni Pangulong Aquino that we will have a LEDAC. I don’t have the exact digit. You’re right. It’s nine days left, so I suppose within the next nine days, we would have the LEDAC.

Q: Confident po ba kayo, sir na hindi siya lalagpas—aabot pa sa February?

CARANDANG: Confident ako kasi ‘yung pinakamalaking hurdle diyan is figuring out which of the bills. So, we came from 130 plus bills; we’re now down to about 25, 26. The President wants to see that cut down to about 12, if I’m not mistaken. Nandiyan na ‘yan, so I don’t see why we can’t do it at the proper time. Right now, wala akong nakikitang hakbang [hadlang] to [unclear] in LEDAC before the end of the month.

Marie: Aurea Calica of Philippine Star.

CARANDANG: Not hakbang. Ano bang tawag doon? Hadlang. Sorry. Thank you.

Q: Sir, good morning. Sir, wala po bang na-circumvent na law noong nag-assume si Comelec Chairman [Sixto] Brillantes without CA confirmation. Kasi kaya daw siya nag-announce noong appointment niya and nag-oath siya agad noong Sunday is because gusto niya mag-assume before the session of Congress resumes na para makapag-assume siya without CA confirmation?

CARANDANG: But he will eventually have to go through CA, anyway, ‘di ba?

Q: Oo, pero wala daw po ba parang ni-rush na… wala bang… were all legal processes followed po ba ‘pag…

CARANDANG: The assemblies of the President have the power to make or add appointments while Congress is not in session. It will eventually go to Congress, anyway. So, I don’t see anything suspicious about the timing.

Q: Okay, sir. And, sir are you confident na makakapasa siya sa CA?

CARANDANG: We hope he gets through the Commission of Appointments. I think the President has explained kung bakit si Atty. Brillantes ang nilagay niya doon sa Comelec. And we’re hoping that Congress will see also and agree with the wisdom of the President on this appointment.

Q: Okay. Saka sir, yesterday, may statement si Executive Secretary Ochoa na wala namang problema if Mar [Roxas] comes in. ‘Yung public pronouncements, sir, are really not contrary to what’s happening? You think wala talagang magiging problema kung…

CARANDANG: I don’t see any problem. I mean, there have been appointments—different appointments. Although, there’s a lot of interest in Senator Roxas’ appointment because siya nga yung running mate, but I don’t… If Secretary Ochoa has no problem with it, if no one seems to have a problem with it, I don’t see why there would be any kind of problem with the appointment of Senator Roxas.

Q: Sir, good morning. Sir, the DOJ panel has found that the NPA’s… the killing of botanist. Is there reason for concern that this would affect, somehow, the peace negotiations with the left?

CARANDANG: We’re very close to a resumption of negotiations with the left. I think all these factors have been considered and I think I could speak for Secretary Deles in saying that this should not be a factor to the resumption of the peace talks.

Q: Sir, but do you expect, somehow, how do you intend to deal with a backlash from the left?

CARANDANG: We are following the process. I don’t think anyone will question Secretary de Lima’s competence and her integrity. I think she’s following the process. As wherever it leads, we could still continue to have peace talks, despite that and I hope that the Left would also understand.

Q: Sir, any update on the EO against illegal logging? Has the President signed the EO and what are the salient points of the EO and how will this curb the illegal logging in the country?

CARANDANG: He has not signed the EO on illegal logging yet. He was shown the draft yesterday. He wants some revisions to that and so those revisions are being done.

Q: Salient points on the EO?

CARANDANG: I didn’t see the EO. I just spoke to the President about it. Sabi nya, binalik n’ya because he wanted some other revisions to the EO.

Q: Sir, may sinasabi si Anakpawis Representative [Rafael] Mariano that Aquino should prove the grow that the [unclear] on rice importation or rice scam is not a publicity stunt by identifying and prosecuting the persons involved in the scam.

CARANDANG: Well, that’s exactly our intention. So, we will see that happen.

Q: May deadline ba tayo dito?

CARANDANG: Wala. Sa ngayon kasi we need to nail down more the facts, ‘no? We’ve gotten the broad strokes on what happened. We need to get more facts to substantiate the allegations that are being made. When you get the facts, then you’ll know how to proceed from there. So, kumbaga parang kung kaso ‘to, case build up pa lang tayo ngayon.

Q: May sinasabi po si Senator [Franklin] Drilon na he urged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to look into alleged irregularities in the rice importation. Do you share the same view, sir?

CARANDANG: We’re already looking into those alleged irregularities. Sinabi nga ni NFA Administrator Lito Banayo sa media na may mga ganoon. And, we’re looking into it. So, if the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee wants to also look into it then perhaps that would be a good thing. At least the information gathered might help us in our own investigation.

Q: Sir, doon na issue po ng NFA rice over importation, kasi nadinig po natin ‘yang issue na ‘yan noong SONA yata ni Pangulo na nagkaroon nga ng over importation, tapos pagpasok pa lamang, pero ngayong January, lumabas ulit ‘yung issue na ‘yan. Parang lumalabas na recycling of issue lang ‘yan, pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa din tapos ‘yung imbestigasyon. Bakit po ba parang ang tagal-tagal?

CARANDANG: Well, it takes some time to gather information. Again, that’s one of the things that they want to resolve because ang laki-laki ng subsidy natin na binibigay natin sa NFA— 177 billion pesos the previous year, if I’m not mistaken. So, we are approaching it from a point of view. Kasi dalawang bahagi ‘yan, ‘no? Number one, over importation. Who’s behind it? How much did we lose? Number two, we also want to look at how can we sustain the NFA in a way that doesn’t caught so much. So, ‘yung immediate situation is the over importation—alleged over importation. The other one is, how are you going to prevent this from happening again? What reforms do we need to put in NFA to make sure that abuses in the past are not going to be committed? So, its proceeding [are] on two tracks. I guess one track goes faster than the other.

Q: Update din po sa Cabinet revamp. Mayroon na po bang na… si P-Noy na ipapalit o tatanggalin, aalisin o papalitan?

CARANDANG: Wala pa akong mga maiko-confirm dyan. I don’t know who and how many. Sabi nga ni Pangulong Aquino last year, it’s probably not going to be a revamp in the sense na a lot of changes. We’ll probably expect a few changes.

Q: Nanananawagan po ‘yung pamilya ni Ernani Sensil, yung third victim doon sa carnapping, na tulungan naman po sila kasi parang naka-focus na lang doon sa dalawa. Mayroon po ba tayong pwedeng itulong sa kanila?

CARANDANG: We can always bring the case up to the PMS. It hasn’t been done yet. Ngayon ko lang narinig itong panawagan na ito. But if you can give me some of the details, perhaps we can ask PMS to look into it and what can be done there.

Q: Another point, kahapon napag-uusapan ‘yung tungkol po sa insurance sa mga sumasakay sa MRT and LRT. Ano po ang masasabi nyo kasi hindi pala insured ‘yung mga nakasakay doon?

CARANDANG: Part of the reason why we’re having problems with MRT [is] because they don’t have the kind of funds required for the proper maintenance, ‘no? And part of the solutions that we’re doing is again, whether it’s popular or not. Kasama diyan ‘yung pag-raise ng rates sa MRT. We are hoping that if you put that all together, it will lead into the improvement in services sa MRT. So, hindi na mangyayari itong mga ‘to.

I remember last night, ‘yung ibang mga officials ng MRT were saying na kulang talaga ‘yung pondo nila pang-maintenance. So, one of the corrective measures we’re taking will be part of the comprehensive plan to improve traffic including the MRT, so that they will have the money in order to maintain the trains and to make sure that they run more efficiently in the future.

Q: In one interview, sir, Cong. Ben Evardone said that he would appreciate if President would consider his stand on Cha-Cha and would endorse his bill considering that he’s part of the Liberal Party. Do you see the need?

CARANDANG: No. We do not see the need at this point for wholesale changes in the Consitution. Again, there are problems of poverty, inequality that we believe that we can resolve and those are the priorities that don’t necessarily need changing the Charter. Mayroon ding opinion si Fr. Jaoquin Bernas—consitutional expert Jaoquin Bernas— na if you want to revise specific provisions in the Constitution, hindi naman kailangan magkaroon ng Constitutional Commission on Constituent Assembly. Pwede ka namang maghain ng isang proposed amendment and make it go through the legislative mill—first, second, third reading. So, if there are specific provisions in the Constitution that need to be changed that some members of Congress feel should be changed, maybe they can pursue that path. But when you open it up to a convention or a Constituent Assembly, you open it up to wholesale broad revisions.

At this point, we don’t see the need to do that as far as our agenda is concerned which is, you know, increasing social services, reducing poverty. We don’t see the need at this point. As I said before, hindi naman kami sarado sa usapang ganoon, ‘no? But it’s just not a priority right now for the administration.

Q: May effect po ba ‘yung mga sinasabi ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano sa confidence ng Presidente kay COMELEC Chairman Brillantes? He said that Brillantes used to be an election operator.

CARANDANG: Well, I think, the President appointed Atty. Brillantes because he knows not just election law but he knows the processes, he knows the procedures, he know the personalities involved, he knows the contending parties. Chairman Brillantes has on-the-ground practical information about elections not just theoretical [but also] legal knowledge. So, he believes that kind of knowledge would help him reform COMELEC. His confidence in Chairman Brillantes has not diminished right now as a result of Sen. Cayetano’s opinions.

Q: Sir, if you say you’re okay with Cha-Cha through legislation, medyo risky din ‘yun kasi paano kung ‘yung bill nila ‘yung tungkol sa terms nila? So, you’re saying that, okay, can change some provisions but economic lang or we’re not going to support any political amendments?

CARANDANG: Well, at this point we’re not in favor of revising the Constitution. We don’t really see it as a priority, eh. I’m saying that if a member of Congress feels there are certain procedures na kailangan baguhin—mayroon namang proseso na mas madali, then they can do it tomorrow if they want eh. If they want to revise a specific provision, they can file the bill tomorrow. Ang sinasabi namin, if that’s their priority, then that’s an easier way of getting it done because at this point, ‘yun nga, it’s not a priority. It’s not something we would support, ‘no?

Q: Pero nga, sir, kung political ‘yung bill, hindi niyo din susuportahan? Kasi kung political provisions ‘yung galawin nila sa bills nila, economic lang or…

CARANDANG: Well, it will depend on what they want to revise. Let’s put it this way: what provisions in the Constitution do these proponents want change? Ang sinasabi lang naman kasi ngayon, ang discussion ngayon is baguhin natin ‚yung Saligang Batas. We have not heard specifics. Kailangan nating baguhin ito o ito? We’re just hearing calls for Cha-Cha. So, parang we don’t really want to know exactly what provisions need to be changed they feel need to be changed. ‘Yun nga ‘yung opinyon namin sa ngayon in order to do our jobs we don’t feel it necessary at this point. Now, again, other members of Congress will have their opinions. They’ll feel very strongly that certain provisions be changed; let’s have a discussion not just about Cha-Cha in general, pero if the public will have a discussion about Charter Change, what specifically do you want changed? And then, I think it’s healthy to the public to debate this and discuss this. And, if a member of Congress feels strongly enough, they can always file a bill.

Q: Yesterday, Secretary [Florencio] Abad said that there’s a plan to shut down the NFA. Three of its four functions may be devolved. He mentioned that among its function ‘yung subsidies would go to DSWD through its conditional cash transfer. Napag-usapan na po ba ito with the President?

CARANDANG: Napag-usapan ito on a cabinet level. There have been many discussions in the economic cluster about what to do with NFA. Again, may mga miyembro ang gabinete na nagsasabi, you still need NFA to provide some stability to price, to provide some stability to support. There are other cabinet members to have an opinion that we don’t need to spend that much money to do that. So, this is still a subject to a lot of debate kung ano ba ang dapat nating gawin sa NFA. But one thing is very clear, you cannot have a situation where importing more than we need had a price that is more than what the market is asking for and have no accountability for it and end up with the government having to shoulder 177 billion pesos. So, something needs to be fixed. There are different solutions being debated in cabinet right now about that. I’m not sure if there is even been a consensus on that issue on what to do with NFA on a long term.

Q: Is this timely considering there’s a call to investigate the NFA?

CARANDANG: No. These discussions have been going on since we came in. As you were saying medyo… you’re saying bakit lumilitaw ang mga ito. I think the media has paid attention to it because Administrator Banayo mentioned it but ‘yung discussions about ano ba ang dapat nating gawin sa NFA over the long term have been going on since July.

Q: Sino po ‘yung involved na Cabinet officials sa discussions regarding ‘yung NFA operation?

CARANDANG: The economic cluster, including the Agriculture Secretary, the NFA Administrator, all concerned agencies have been allowed to talk about, I mean, have been part of discussions on this.

Q: Uulitin ko lang po ‘yung sinabi niyo ‘no? There has been no consensus as of…

CARANDANG: From what I understand, there has been no consensus as to what to do with the NFA in the end. ‘Yun nga, may mga nagsasabi na you still need the NFA. Maybe you need to revisit its functions but you need NFA. Others say maybe we don’t need NFA. So, again, this is discussion that’s on going. As far as I know, there has been no consensus here because if there were, that have been brought up to the President and they would have been something more concrete.

Q: Satisfied ba kayo sa performance ni General Raul Bacalzo regarding doon sa mga crime incidents?

CARANDANG: I don’t think it’s for me to make a judgement on Gen Bacalzo. I think the judgement should be made by his superior, the DILG Secretary and to some extent, the public. So, I will not… my opinion about… it is, I think, irrelevant.

Q: How about the President, is he satisfied?

CARANDANG: I have not heard him say anything at this point that would indicate that he’s not satisfied with Gen Bacalzo. We know that there has been much attention paid to many of these high profile crimes and that the authorities are trying to do something about it. Let’s see if they succeed.

Q: According to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that rush of murders and carjacking gave the perception that the President was a weak leader. Any comment on this?

CARANDANG: I don’t think that is correct. We have seen a rush of these things covered by the media and certainly the public has been more concerned about it than before. Again, the PNP, DILG are taking the proper action, coordinating with the LGUs and we’re hopeful that we will see a solution to this over the short term future.

Q: Umaalma po ‘yung mga Philippine Wood Producers Association regarding this total log ban. Can you comment on this?

CARANDANG: Well, we don’t have the EO yet. So, let’s wait for the EO before I would ask the wood producers to wait for the EO before we comment on it. Right now, it’s all speculation.