Sen Padilla on PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia

The Manila Times

Sen Padilla on PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia  Sen. Robin Padilla guests on the maiden episode of PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia this Friday, March 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. Padilla shares his thoughts on Charter change, the medicalization of cannabis and a host of other issues affecting the country with lawyer Maria Liavel 'Lia' Badillo-Crisostomo. Aside from her work as an attorney, Badillo-Crisostomo also held positions in several government agencies and private corporations and was a model and beauty queen. PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia streams at 9 a.m. every Friday on www.manilatimes.net and The Manila Times social media platforms.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe  Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #PrimeTimes #robinpadilla

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC]

00:05 Good day, everybody.

00:06 This is PRIMETIMES with Attorney Lia.

00:09 Today, we are very much honored to have a guest

00:12 who is not only good at speaking,

00:15 good at making laws,

00:17 but most especially,

00:18 has a kind heart.

00:20 And as others say,

00:22 the most popular in the Senate.

00:24 Today, our guest is

00:26 Senator Robin Padilla.

00:28 Good day, Senator Robin.

00:29 Sen, good day.

00:31 Long live.

00:32 You know, Sen,

00:34 I want to see the people,

00:36 who is Senator Robin,

00:38 who I work with.

00:40 One person who studies,

00:43 one person who is well-read,

00:45 and one person who is true.

00:46 So, Senator Robin,

00:48 how are you?

00:49 We will start now.

00:51 You forgot one thing.

00:52 What is it, sir?

00:53 Well-traveled.

00:55 Well-traveled.

00:56 That's the best education you can have.

00:58 That's English.

01:00 Sen,

01:02 I was with you

01:04 three times during public

01:06 consultations last year.

01:08 We cannot forget

01:10 that we went to Baguio,

01:12 Davao, and Cebu.

01:14 We talked with

01:16 our barangay officials,

01:18 private stakeholders,

01:20 we even had justices

01:22 go with us.

01:24 Senator Robin, in your two years

01:26 in the Senate,

01:28 what is your biggest

01:30 takeaway in being a senator?

01:32 Let's start with,

01:34 am I happy

01:36 with my job?

01:38 We can start there.

01:40 If not because of

01:42 the 27 million

01:44 votes,

01:46 I resigned a long time ago.

01:48 Why, Senator?

01:50 I'm not happy.

01:52 I'm not happy because

01:54 maybe the process,

01:58 it's like we cannot

02:00 catch up with the needs

02:02 of the people.

02:04 I feel like we're being

02:06 caught up.

02:08 Our government,

02:10 including the

02:12 entire Senate,

02:14 the big

02:16 prisons,

02:18 judiciary,

02:20 executive,

02:22 within less than

02:24 a year, because

02:26 when we were there, you remember,

02:28 we were always in hearings.

02:30 I was not absent.

02:32 I finished

02:34 last night,

02:36 I woke up, I was already there

02:38 in the earliest hearing, I was listening.

02:40 I was listening to

02:42 the same things, I was tired.

02:44 The same problems.

02:46 Sometimes you hear a senator

02:48 say, "Oh,

02:50 I heard that back in 2016."

02:52 That's still

02:54 your reason.

02:56 Ma'am, if you are a revolutionary

02:58 who has been fighting

03:00 for a long time

03:02 and you can see

03:04 in your eyes

03:06 that our form of government

03:08 is this slow,

03:10 that we cannot

03:12 catch up

03:14 with the needs of the people,

03:16 but we're still having discussions,

03:18 what is our

03:20 takeaway?

03:22 Correct. Sen,

03:24 I'll just cut you off.

03:26 I also work in the government

03:28 and we have the same thinking.

03:30 It's a bit long.

03:32 Not a bit, but it's too long.

03:34 How can we--

03:36 Example. Yes, sir.

03:38 How, ma'am?

03:40 Experience is good.

03:42 It's a difficult story. We're not destroying anything.

03:44 Our judiciary is good

03:46 and we have a high level of

03:48 justice and we have a big prison.

03:50 It's all well-educated.

03:52 But the form of government

03:54 is slow. For example,

03:56 there's a mistaken identity.

03:58 Here, ma'am,

04:00 a 61-year-old

04:02 who is a

04:04 senior citizen

04:06 who is going abroad.

04:08 I'll show you how slow it is.

04:10 Okay.

04:12 When he arrived at the airport, he was told,

04:14 "He's from Interpol."

04:16 He had a red notice.

04:18 So,

04:20 his mother helped him.

04:22 His mother said,

04:24 "That's not me."

04:26 And the most

04:28 impressive of all,

04:30 the Armed Forces of the Philippines

04:32 certified that

04:34 the person you're looking for

04:36 in Interpol

04:38 has been dead for a long time.

04:40 That's why that mother

04:42 is not her.

04:44 This is what my father said at Eid.

04:46 Yes, Muhammad at Eid.

04:48 "Ma'am,

04:50 six months before the person was released.

04:52 Six months."

04:54 "Tell me,

04:56 in those six months,

04:58 24 senators signed

05:00 to support

05:02 the elderly."

05:04 Think about that power.

05:06 You already have power.

05:08 24 senators gave you power.

05:10 They gave you instructions.

05:12 The NBI, Interpol,

05:14 the PAO.

05:16 Look at this case.

05:18 But it still took six months.

05:20 Senator Robins,

05:22 I think we should have a discussion

05:24 about my father at Eid.

05:26 This is close to my heart.

05:28 As a lawyer,

05:30 I don't want someone to be unjustly detained.

05:32 That's wrong.

05:34 Not only to himself, to his family,

05:36 but also to his future.

05:38 To the people who look up to him.

05:40 He was still imprisoned.

05:42 Even though we say he was without guilt, he was still imprisoned.

05:44 Now, it's been revealed.

05:46 His face is still showing that this is what he's looking for.

05:48 Correct.

05:50 So now, Senator Robins,

05:52 what did you do

05:54 or move

05:56 for the thousands of fathers at Eid

05:58 that we have here in the Philippines?

06:00 Because not everyone knows

06:02 that there's something like that.

06:04 Especially, you said, there are only 24 senators who helped.

06:06 How about those who are not helping?

06:08 What are the moves?

06:10 There are a lot.

06:12 Correct, sir.

06:14 So what are your moves now

06:16 to help those who are illegally detained

06:18 due to mistaken identity, sir?

06:20 You know,

06:22 this is it again.

06:24 You know since before.

06:26 When it comes to legal matters,

06:28 I'm often sad.

06:30 Because there are a lot of twists and turns.

06:32 Because when you go through legal matters,

06:34 the lawyers are good.

06:36 There are a lot of things like that.

06:38 So,

06:40 what I told my staff,

06:42 there should be

06:44 an obligation

06:46 of the government

06:48 that if you are imprisoned,

06:50 when you are not guilty,

06:52 you should be paid by the government.

06:54 That's damages.

06:56 All kinds of damages.

06:58 Compensation.

07:00 Mentally or morally.

07:02 You can say it all.

07:04 Exemplary.

07:06 Emotionally.

07:08 You're in jail for money.

07:10 So, we looked at the law.

07:12 Wow, the law is so old.

07:14 Think about it.

07:16 One thousand a month.

07:18 One thousand a month.

07:20 Do you know how much is the cost of being in jail?

07:22 If you're in jail.

07:24 I was in jail. The cost is so high.

07:26 You think there's no cost of being in jail?

07:28 Even if the government is paying you.

07:30 What's the cost of food?

07:32 There's a lot of expenses.

07:34 All of that,

07:36 electric fan,

07:38 there's an air conditioner.

07:40 That's the reality.

07:42 What's the one thousand?

07:44 So, we thought, it's high.

07:46 I don't know.

07:48 It went up.

07:50 It's only 10,000.

07:52 But it's only up to that.

07:54 I thought

07:56 it's high.

07:58 The government needs to pay.

08:00 That's why we need to follow

08:02 the law.

08:04 So, we raised it to 10,000.

08:06 We amended the old law.

08:08 And the government will pay

08:10 10,000 a month.

08:12 That's small.

08:14 But,

08:16 The value is given.

08:18 What my staff always say,

08:20 I've become a staff too.

08:22 Yes, sir.

08:24 We always have to match.

08:26 We need to have no

08:28 discussion with any senator.

08:30 We need to

08:32 have our opinions

08:34 be accepted

08:36 by everyone.

08:38 Maybe if we ask for a

08:40 big shot,

08:42 it will go through a long interpellation.

08:44 Sen, I want to answer

08:46 what you mentioned.

08:48 When I worked with you,

08:52 what we really want is,

08:54 we don't think about other senators.

08:56 We think about the

08:58 principles we want to help.

09:00 That's number one.

09:02 Now, sir,

09:04 how about the Senate?

09:06 Because I understand

09:08 there are 24.

09:10 But you are number one.

09:12 That won't go away

09:14 with the knowledge of anyone.

09:16 You were and are number one.

09:18 But, ma'am,

09:20 there's no extra benefit

09:22 in being number one.

09:24 People might think

09:26 that if you're number one,

09:28 you have a nice office.

09:30 That's what I want to ask you.

09:32 Our office is the smallest

09:34 in the Senate.

09:36 I want to ask you this.

09:38 Is it hard to get support

09:40 from other senators

09:42 if you have the will to pass the law?

09:44 It's hard, especially if you're new.

09:46 How?

09:48 Their culture doesn't go away.

09:50 If you're not part of them before,

09:52 even if you are number one,

09:54 won't that give you

09:56 an advantage?

09:58 No, no.

10:00 There's no advantage.

10:02 There's a tradition in the Senate

10:04 of seniority.

10:06 I think, sir,

10:08 in all government offices,

10:10 even in private, there's that.

10:12 Even if you're a senior citizen,

10:14 we have that.

10:16 There's a privilege.

10:18 But when it comes to laws

10:20 that can really help

10:22 our fellow citizens,

10:24 we should put aside

10:26 neophytes, lawyers,

10:28 criminologists,

10:30 artists, we should get rid of them.

10:32 Because when it comes to

10:34 the Senate, to the plenary,

10:36 we're all equal.

10:38 It's not clear in the Constitution.

10:40 It's not said that you need a lawyer,

10:42 or a senator.

10:44 It's not like that.

10:46 You just need to be smart.

10:48 You need to know how to read.

10:50 And you are able to represent the people.

10:52 That's number one.

10:54 You understand the people on the ground.

10:56 Correct.

10:58 Sir, I heard you in the plenary.

11:00 Yes.

11:02 I was saying to Atty. J,

11:04 "When I listen to Senator Robyn,

11:06 it's like I'm listening to

11:08 a Filipino version of JFK."

11:10 You can listen.

11:12 Even if I don't understand sometimes, sir.

11:14 Tagalog, sir.

11:16 We're in Tagalog, we're talking.

11:18 But sir, it's important.

11:20 When I listen,

11:22 I believe.

11:24 Thank you.

11:26 So my question to you is,

11:28 how far can you fight?

11:30 Because we talked about your neophyte.

11:32 Before we talk about your pipeline,

11:34 because your pipeline is beautiful,

11:36 how far can you fight

11:38 for the Filipino people

11:40 even if you're a neophyte?

11:42 Well, when it comes to the Senate,

11:44 because when it comes to being a revolutionary,

11:46 I've already done the most amazing thing.

11:48 I've already dedicated my life

11:50 to the revolution that we're talking about.

11:52 But when we're talking about the Senate,

11:54 there's a limit.

11:56 Because there's a process,

11:58 a protocol.

12:00 When you go through the first reading,

12:02 or after the first reading,

12:04 you'll be hearing, or after the second.

12:06 If the report you made

12:08 was not signed

12:10 by your fellow Senators,

12:12 it won't reach the plenary.

12:14 So it doesn't mean that it's not there.

12:16 People will say,

12:18 "Where are your promises?"

12:20 What happened to our promises

12:22 is sad because it won't be signed.

12:24 I remember that, sir.

12:26 Just like when we first

12:28 amended the RBH,

12:30 the law on economic

12:32 provision.

12:34 We worked hard on that, ma'am.

12:36 That's what I don't understand.

12:38 You allowed me to go around

12:40 the budget of the

12:42 Philippine Senate

12:44 to go around as a committee,

12:46 to ask questions, to go to faraway places.

12:48 When I arrived,

12:50 I'll report to you, but you won't sign.

12:52 So I hope that you said it

12:54 from the start. I wouldn't have

12:56 spent money.

12:58 This is very, very close to my heart,

13:00 the RBH.

13:02 That's what I call it, sir, the RBH.

13:04 I remember those times that we had to

13:06 contact justices.

13:08 We had to get their expert opinions, sir.

13:10 We had to-- We had to go to their houses.

13:12 Correct. To invite them.

13:14 Yes, sir. So now,

13:16 my question is, sir,

13:18 the Charter changed again.

13:20 Didn't you just rehash

13:22 your idea last year?

13:24 Or two years ago? This is what I think, sir.

13:26 If we were given

13:28 last year, then I hope

13:30 we would have reached the barangay elections.

13:32 That's our plan, right? Because it's cheaper.

13:34 Yes. Right? We were talking about

13:36 spending 30 million or 40 million

13:38 instead of the 100

13:40 plus millions that they want.

13:42 Now, sir, we're talking about

13:44 the plebiscite

13:46 next year.

13:48 Sir, what do you feel as

13:50 the first senator

13:52 who, again and again, based on

13:54 what you said earlier, second,

13:56 as someone who thought

13:58 to enter the foreign capital,

14:00 to add beauty to the life of our

14:02 country, and third,

14:04 sir, as Robin Padilla, as an onlooker

14:06 in politics?

14:08 Let's start with

14:10 their feelings

14:12 of the former

14:16 President, Fidel Ramos.

14:18 Their feelings

14:20 of the former President, Gloria

14:22 Macapagal-Arroyo. These are the

14:24 presidents who were able to win.

14:26 When they were pushing the Charter

14:28 to change, they said they just wanted to expand

14:30 their terms.

14:32 This is how long it's been.

14:34 These presidents,

14:36 at their time,

14:38 these are the ones who told us

14:40 that the Philippines will become

14:42 like a tiger economy.

14:44 Yes.

14:46 It's not a tiger yet.

14:48 Tiger economy, sir,

14:50 was when President Ramos was in office.

14:52 Yes.

14:54 At the time of GMA,

14:56 because he had 10 years,

14:58 he inherited 4 years from

15:00 President Estrada,

15:02 he had 6 years,

15:04 so there was continuity.

15:06 At the time, data will tell

15:08 that that was the best,

15:10 that we had the best economy.

15:12 Yes.

15:14 Aside from being an economist,

15:16 he had continuity.

15:18 And database.

15:20 So if you look at these two presidents,

15:22 the economy was the center.

15:24 Ramos was your best friend

15:26 in Singapore.

15:28 He even went here, to Silikwan.

15:30 We were all there.

15:32 Now, what do they want?

15:34 We should have a charter to change

15:36 and our economic provision.

15:38 Why?

15:40 Because in the whole of Asia,

15:42 the Asian,

15:44 who are those?

15:46 Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand,

15:48 Singapore, the five countries.

15:50 Those four,

15:52 they don't have restrictions on their constitution

15:54 on the economy.

15:56 Tomorrow, 100%,

15:58 we are open.

16:00 Just the Philippines.

16:02 60-40.

16:04 And it's really in the constitution.

16:06 That was made.

16:08 That we cannot blame.

16:10 Because it was a revolution,

16:12 we were too much. I'm not blaming anyone.

16:14 Remember. Impassioned.

16:16 And that was the time.

16:18 Because for a long time,

16:20 we were served by the colonials who came here.

16:22 They always have,

16:24 during the time of the Americans,

16:26 what is the right of the Americans, that is the right of the Filipinos.

16:28 We are equal in business.

16:30 So you cannot blame

16:32 that that became the direction

16:34 of the makers of the 1987 constitution.

16:36 But that was already passed.

16:38 The FDR said,

16:40 the AGMA said,

16:42 that was already passed because we are now Asian.

16:44 We are now globalization.

16:46 We need to open.

16:48 We need to have a goal.

16:50 If there is a goal, there is money.

16:52 If there is money, it means that the business is good.

16:54 There is work.

16:56 The work is good. The salary is good.

16:58 That's all.

17:00 So if you tell me what I feel,

17:02 Frustrated.

17:04 I'm frustrated

17:06 in talking about politics.

17:08 Because talking about

17:10 revolution, that's different.

17:12 Because I want a revolutionary government

17:14 or federalism.

17:16 That's too drastic.

17:18 We need to be careful.

17:20 But not because you said, "Be careful."

17:22 You should be slow.

17:24 It's different to be careful.

17:26 We need to be careful.

17:28 If our neighbors,

17:30 like Vietnam,

17:32 we are talking about Vietnam.

17:34 Cambodia is next.

17:36 Laos, Burma.

17:38 Vietnam.

17:40 From a long war.

17:42 From the French,

17:44 to the Americans,

17:46 to the Chinese,

17:48 and then them.

17:50 But now, the economy of Vietnam is higher than ours.

17:52 Remember that.

17:54 What are you thinking?

17:56 Because of what you're saying now.

17:58 What are you thinking?

18:00 You're repeating it again.

18:02 Because we already did that last year.

18:04 Behind.

18:06 If we were able to follow,

18:08 our election is in 2023.

18:10 Yes, we have a timeline.

18:12 We have a timeline.

18:14 We have to follow it.

18:16 Because this is what we wrote in 1987.

18:18 Constitution.

18:20 We need to follow the biocracy.

18:22 This is it.

18:24 Maybe people are already feeling

18:26 that we have already lagged for three years.

18:28 Because we can say,

18:30 if this passes,

18:32 in 2025, the people will be here.

18:34 They will be here with us in the election.

18:36 So, we have already been delayed

18:38 for three years.

18:40 I hope,

18:42 we will have the right wisdom

18:44 on how we will amend

18:46 this law.

18:48 This constitutional law.

18:50 Because, ma'am, if you watch

18:52 the hearings,

18:54 if you watch the TV,

18:56 everything is legal.

18:58 It's an attorney, ma'am.

19:00 Let's admit it.

19:02 When the lawyers talk,

19:04 it's long.

19:06 Because one has an opinion,

19:08 the other has an opinion.

19:10 It's a mess.

19:12 So, I hope,

19:14 if we face this amendment of the law,

19:16 they will have—this is a hearing.

19:18 This is official.

19:20 This is in the Senate's record.

19:22 What the lawmakers said

19:24 in the Constitutional Law,

19:26 oversight.

19:28 They were allowed to do something.

19:30 Because,

19:32 everyone knows,

19:34 we are pushing unicameral.

19:36 It means,

19:38 it's just one house.

19:40 But it's not, sir.

19:42 That's why, when they were elected,

19:44 they won the bicameral.

19:46 They didn't get the oversight.

19:48 Section 1 of Article 17.

19:50 The Congress

19:52 says,

19:54 we need three-fourths of both.

19:56 Both houses.

19:58 Others want to add—

20:00 I'm just hearing this.

20:02 I just need to explain it

20:04 so that our women will understand.

20:06 So, it's in the Senate and Congress

20:08 about the charter change.

20:10 Yes. We just need to explain it.

20:12 Because, if you listen to

20:14 the justices, the lawyers,

20:16 all of them are legal terms.

20:18 You will be confused.

20:20 We don't want to be confused.

20:22 Because, people need to understand this.

20:24 You need to understand this.

20:26 It's like this.

20:28 There are three modes.

20:30 The one in the Constitutional Law—

20:32 you taught me that.

20:34 There's CON-CON.

20:36 There's CON-AS.

20:38 There's PEOPLE'S INITIATIVE.

20:40 So, what the legal minds

20:42 want now

20:44 is to add

20:46 a mode.

20:48 The one endorsed by Father Bernas.

20:50 It's like a normal law

20:52 that we should be separate.

20:54 The Senate

20:56 and the House of Representatives

20:58 should be separate.

21:00 They should be doing

21:02 their own

21:04 discussions on how they want to change it.

21:06 Then, they will meet,

21:08 talk, and vote

21:10 separately.

21:12 But,

21:14 we added another mode.

21:16 It's four.

21:18 Ma'am, you're a lawyer.

21:20 You know, as you add more and more,

21:22 there will be

21:24 more confusion.

21:26 Not only that, sir.

21:28 The resources of the

21:30 young Filipino are also being used.

21:32 It's your time.

21:34 We should make laws

21:36 that will be used in discussions.

21:38 That's why, sir, this is what I want to say.

21:40 We already talked about all of that

21:42 during your time.

21:44 That's what I always think.

21:46 Isn't this just a rehash of

21:48 Senator Robin Padilla's bill

21:50 that was not signed

21:52 by the committee report, which we were

21:54 all heartbroken because we worked

21:56 very hard about it.

21:58 That's a rehearsal.

22:00 Oh, sir, we remembered.

22:02 You're making me feel dizzy.

22:04 Two or three hours of rehearsals

22:06 for the question and answer, and nothing happened.

22:08 Yes, sir. So now, sir,

22:10 do you think

22:12 the Senate,

22:14 Congress, and our

22:16 President will agree

22:18 on the charter change?

22:20 What you said earlier was beautiful, ma'am.

22:22 We need to make

22:24 laws.

22:26 Laws.

22:28 As you said, resolve.

22:30 Correct. We can resolve

22:32 everything. We won't make a new problem.

22:34 Yes. Maybe

22:36 what was fruitful

22:38 when we were not

22:40 allowed to reach the plenary,

22:42 what was fruitful now

22:44 is that the discussion was open.

22:46 Because now, the discussion

22:48 is not about economic provisions.

22:50 It's about the voting

22:52 separately and voting jointly.

22:54 That's what has been the progress.

22:56 Because before, we had economic

22:58 provisions. Now, the discussion

23:00 has grown because the votes are being discussed.

23:02 Yes, sir. That's what needs to be resolved.

23:04 When it's resolved, sir,

23:06 Senab, when it's resolved,

23:08 will the voting be done jointly,

23:10 separately?

23:14 Do you think it will be done quickly?

23:16 It will be done quickly

23:18 if

23:20 what we're suggesting is followed.

23:22 Because we have a plan.

23:24 Because when we heard

23:26 about this discussion,

23:28 it was the beginning of the year.

23:30 Yes, sir.

23:32 We all

23:34 jumped in.

23:36 Wow, there's a people's initiative.

23:38 I was surprised.

23:40 It's my committee.

23:42 I was surprised.

23:44 I didn't know what happened.

23:46 Suddenly, there's something like that.

23:48 Okay. That's good.

23:50 Who started it?

23:52 The President.

23:54 That's the best of all.

23:56 Because if you remember,

23:58 we were the only ones, sir.

24:00 That's what everyone is saying.

24:02 I'm not sure, but I'm sure.

24:04 They're saying that they need to ask

24:06 the President for help

24:08 to approve our economic

24:10 provision.

24:12 But for me, it's clear in the Constitution

24:14 that the President doesn't matter

24:16 because the people will decide.

24:18 The people will ratify this.

24:20 The people will decide.

24:22 I didn't think of asking

24:24 the President for help.

24:26 Maybe that's what we were lacking.

24:28 We weren't endorsed by the President

24:30 in LIDAC or whatever.

24:32 That's why we didn't go to him.

24:34 But now, because the President

24:36 came

24:38 and said

24:40 the big

24:42 and the high consensus

24:44 that we need to amend

24:46 the economic provision of the Constitution.

24:48 Do you think it will be pushed?

24:50 It will be pushed, but it will be voted.

24:52 Whatever you say,

24:54 the Constitution has a problem.

24:58 It's been passed, sir.

25:00 In the Constitution, it says

25:02 "Resolved by Congress upon the

25:04 vote of three courts."

25:06 That's what it says.

25:08 But we have two houses.

25:10 That's what they want.

25:12 They want, because there's

25:14 the

25:16 resolution of both houses,

25:18 seven, I think, in Congress.

25:20 They want

25:22 jointly.

25:24 Correct.

25:26 Yes, sir. Because they have more.

25:28 Yes. The Senate wants it separately.

25:30 For me, that's what we resolved.

25:32 That's what we amended.

25:34 Section 1 of Article 17.

25:36 Let's put it there.

25:38 Why would we add

25:40 another moda

25:42 to that? Discuss that.

25:44 You are smart people and

25:46 legal experts. Will the Supreme Court

25:48 even be able to reach

25:50 the length of the process?

25:52 The length of the process?

25:54 Let's amend Section 1.

25:56 Let's just add it.

25:58 As a lawyer, I think if

26:00 Section 1 is resolved,

26:02 we can pass many laws.

26:04 It's easy.

26:06 It's very easy.

26:08 Like what we're discussing.

26:10 We're already in the Charter Change.

26:12 You already said the mood of the Senate.

26:14 But, ma'am,

26:16 our opinion

26:18 is not to

26:20 talk about us fighting

26:22 against them.

26:24 It's only us who will

26:26 speed up.

26:28 Sometimes, we avoid discussing.

26:30 Sir, I believe

26:32 that if

26:34 we have a moda

26:36 that will speed up

26:38 everything,

26:40 not only will our countrymen's lives

26:42 improve, but it would set a precedent

26:44 that this administration

26:46 made it happen.

26:48 This is just in this time frame.

26:50 Because, sir,

26:52 an annulment takes 5 to 10 years.

26:54 The husband is already in a bad mood,

26:56 but it's not over yet.

26:58 So, sir, I think if this is resolved,

27:00 being a lawyer, sir,

27:02 if this gets resolved, Section 1,

27:04 Article 17, this would

27:06 create an amazing precedent

27:08 during BBM's administration and

27:10 during your time as a senator.

27:12 All of you.

27:14 Like this, sir, cannabis medicalization.

27:16 I heard last night the committee reports

27:18 was signed.

27:20 What, sir,

27:22 do we feel there?

27:24 And, in your opinion, what will be the progress?

27:26 How fast is it?

27:28 How long is it?

27:30 I think, when it comes

27:32 to medical cannabis,

27:34 this is our

27:36 truth.

27:38 Realistic, sir.

27:40 Yes,

27:42 it's very clear.

27:44 I won't go through the legal process.

27:46 You won't believe me.

27:48 Maybe, in my experience,

27:50 maybe,

27:52 the senators I've met

27:54 about this,

27:56 they saw my heart

27:58 when I said this.

28:00 Because, I myself,

28:02 the way

28:04 I talk,

28:06 I'm a stuntman. You know that, right?

28:08 In Filipino movies, I do

28:10 my stunts. I do a lot of ballet

28:12 on my body. I do ballet here.

28:14 At my age, I'm suffering.

28:18 From pain,

28:20 rheumatism,

28:22 all of that. You're feeling it.

28:24 Physical.

28:26 So, I'm not being given

28:28 an option

28:30 by the Philippines.

28:32 What the Philippines wants,

28:34 the law of the Philippines, is this.

28:36 Here.

28:38 Get some synthetic drugs.

28:40 Get some pain relievers.

28:42 Drink those

28:44 that will damage your liver.

28:46 Drink those

28:48 Pentanil, Demerol,

28:50 Morphine.

28:52 To relieve the pain.

28:54 All of that, ma'am,

28:56 has a side effect.

28:58 When I explained

29:00 to them that this medical

29:02 cannabis has no side effect,

29:04 it hasn't died yet.

29:06 And it's not the same

29:08 as what you're saying, recreational

29:10 marijuana.

29:12 It's different.

29:14 That's what they understood.

29:16 Okay, what is medical marijuana?

29:18 That's where they'll know.

29:20 Regulated. I studied this.

29:22 Yes, sir. I went to the Netherlands.

29:24 I went to Israel.

29:26 I studied medical marijuana.

29:28 And now, I'm going to Canada.

29:30 I haven't gotten my visa yet.

29:32 And I also want to study

29:34 medical cannabis. Because it's legal there, sir.

29:36 Yes. Those are the things

29:38 that I was saying earlier.

29:40 Traveling

29:42 gives you a better experience.

29:44 It gives you good education. Yes.

29:46 We'll be able to explain it better. Yes, sir.

29:48 This is not something that we'll help

29:50 when we don't know anything. Of course.

29:52 We study this.

29:54 We talk to doctors.

29:56 I remember, sir, we also talked about this.

29:58 I remember you guys would be asking from the

30:00 US FDA also of their opinion.

30:02 We have. We have

30:04 people who talked to the US.

30:06 Not just the FDA.

30:08 But we talked

30:10 to the

30:12 government in the states.

30:14 Because in America, it's federal. It's not legal yet.

30:16 But there are

30:18 states that have medical

30:20 cannabis and recreational

30:22 marijuana. This needs to be clear.

30:24 Yes. Even in the name.

30:26 It's very far.

30:28 If we say

30:30 medicinal cannabis. Yes.

30:32 Sir, if we say weed.

30:34 That's the weed. Recreational. The flower

30:36 itself. The flower itself.

30:38 It doesn't mean that...

30:40 Because people think that

30:42 it's a prison because they sell weed.

30:44 You have to enlighten

30:46 me, sir. Those are the common

30:48 terminologies.

30:50 Common terminologies

30:52 that people always, when you say

30:54 weed, when you say that, it's bad.

30:56 It's a drug.

30:58 Those are the terms

31:00 that are used by

31:02 people who use it.

31:04 That's why it's different now.

31:06 Now, it's called flower.

31:08 Sir, because it was

31:10 signed yesterday.

31:12 The committee report. And I know how

31:14 vital a committee report is. That's the start.

31:16 Praise God. Right?

31:18 If it wasn't signed,

31:20 nothing would happen.

31:22 Now, it was signed yesterday. Do you think

31:24 we can get support

31:26 from our fellow senators?

31:28 And possibly,

31:30 from the Congress, the President.

31:32 What do you think?

31:34 In your own words, sir.

31:36 Because you are the one who initiated this.

31:38 You are the one who is fighting this.

31:40 Not just for...

31:42 Because, sir, I believe in this law.

31:44 We will show

31:46 that the government of the Philippines

31:48 can regulate.

31:50 We always say, "No, we will abolish it."

31:52 We will abolish it.

31:54 Why not let the government regulate?

31:56 So now, sir, my question to you is,

31:58 do you think

32:00 it will take long before this law

32:02 will be passed? I am positive

32:04 that it will be passed.

32:06 Because in the United Nations'

32:08 discussion,

32:10 it was removed from the

32:12 prohibited.

32:14 It was just

32:16 reclassified

32:18 that this drug

32:20 can be used

32:22 as a medicine.

32:24 So, that is a good sign.

32:26 So,

32:28 hallelujah!

32:30 The United Nations

32:32 admitted that this has medicinal

32:34 benefits.

32:36 So,

32:38 when it comes to the President,

32:40 let's start with the President

32:42 because he is the most powerful.

32:44 The President

32:46 is known by everyone

32:48 that he is an economist.

32:50 Okay?

32:52 He did not study it,

32:54 but you can see in him that he believes

32:56 in the economy.

32:58 And that is the direct

33:00 source of income for the whole country.

33:02 When we talk about economy,

33:04 there is an economy in medical cannabis.

33:06 Yes, production.

33:08 It is not heavy.

33:10 In medical cannabis,

33:12 there is a billion dollar economy

33:14 in the whole world.

33:16 And not only that,

33:18 when we talk about herbs,

33:20 when we talk about herbs,

33:22 when we talk about flowers,

33:24 when we talk about hemp.

33:26 Yes, hemp.

33:28 Remember,

33:30 marijuana has female and male.

33:32 The female has the flower.

33:34 That has a psychoactive

33:36 effect.

33:38 The male is what we call

33:40 hemp.

33:42 It is now being started in

33:44 first world countries

33:46 where they are planting it

33:48 with Australia because it is the one

33:50 that collects fabric, paper,

33:52 and fiber.

33:54 Yes.

33:56 So, that is not right.

33:58 They are planting it there.

34:00 Even in Japan, they are planting it there.

34:02 We are not yet, because it is prohibited.

34:04 We are still in the 1960s

34:06 when marijuana was said

34:08 that it is prohibited.

34:10 We are not classifying male and female.

34:12 Correct.

34:14 Is there a lack of research?

34:16 In your opinion, sir, is there a lack of research?

34:18 There is a lack of research because

34:20 we already planted the plant.

34:22 Yes, sir.

34:24 Without any trial,

34:26 we planted it.

34:28 So now, I believe

34:30 that our beloved president

34:32 understands this.

34:34 As someone who is always in the Economic Forum,

34:36 he already knows that

34:38 the whole first world countries have already accepted

34:40 medical marijuana.

34:42 We need to accept it.

34:44 The same goes for the Senate.

34:46 There are senators who say that sustainability

34:48 and those things.

34:50 Longevity.

34:52 Yes, sir.

34:54 There is nothing better than being sustainable

34:56 in all plants, if not this.

34:58 This herb,

35:00 this cannabis,

35:02 this guana,

35:04 this is the fastest plant.

35:06 If we have a problem

35:08 with reprostration,

35:10 this is what we do.

35:12 It grows fast.

35:14 This 100 pesos minimum wage hike

35:16 is noisy.

35:18 That's what I want to hear, sir.

35:20 In a short answer,

35:22 Sen,

35:24 do you think

35:26 this will pass before 2025?

35:28 It should.

35:30 It should be by 2025, 2024.

35:32 Sir, I have a question.

35:34 I'm hearing this.

35:36 This is already done in the Senate.

35:38 It's already in the House.

35:40 What people are saying, sir,

35:42 you may or may not answer.

35:44 But I know you, sir,

35:46 to always have no filter

35:48 and be honest.

35:50 Do you think this is just done

35:52 by other people?

35:54 I don't know who they are, sir,

35:56 but this is what they say.

35:58 They say this is just done

36:00 for the election.

36:02 To make us look good.

36:04 That's the system.

36:06 We should believe

36:08 those opinions.

36:10 Because it's usually like that.

36:12 You think there's some truth?

36:14 Of course.

36:16 But what we need to do here

36:18 is whatever their intention,

36:20 this should pass.

36:22 But I'm asking you.

36:24 This should pass.

36:26 Whatever their intention.

36:28 Sir, if that's their intention

36:30 and this is the result

36:32 that will make our future better,

36:34 you can do whatever you want to make us look good.

36:36 This 100 pesos minimum wage hike,

36:38 what about the employers?

36:40 I don't want to get involved

36:42 with the author of this.

36:44 Because it's Jing Goy

36:46 and the Senate President.

36:48 Just a short answer, sir.

36:50 The Senate

36:52 will not do

36:54 anything without a study.

36:56 This is what I'm assuring you.

36:58 If the Senate

37:00 will run,

37:02 believe me,

37:04 the best people are there.

37:06 You've seen that.

37:08 This will not be a threat

37:10 to businesses,

37:12 especially to the small businesses.

37:14 Because they have

37:16 a list of how many employees

37:18 they should have.

37:20 There are things like that.

37:22 They were given

37:24 a lot of money

37:26 during President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's time.

37:28 Those businesses,

37:30 those corporations,

37:32 were given

37:34 a good deal.

37:36 Incentives for taxes.

37:38 Those are saved.

37:40 It's not a pandemic anymore.

37:42 People are working.

37:44 So you can earn extra now.

37:46 This is just a word.

37:48 Just a word.

37:50 You're just a liar.

37:52 Sir, I have a question.

37:54 What about the Senators,

37:56 the big employers?

37:58 It's reality, sir.

38:00 We have Senators

38:02 who are big employers.

38:04 What do they feel?

38:06 I'm not asking what they think.

38:08 But in your opinion,

38:10 during plenary sessions,

38:12 during hearings, during discussions,

38:14 do they fight?

38:16 No.

38:18 I saw it. I witnessed it.

38:20 We know who are the billionaires,

38:22 millionaires,

38:24 and who are the assassins.

38:26 No one fought.

38:28 When the 100 pesos bill was released,

38:30 all of that,

38:32 it was fast.

38:34 This is the fastest of all.

38:36 The third reading passed.

38:38 The Harley,

38:40 it took a while. But this is fast.

38:42 I believe in this.

38:44 It was deserved.

38:46 It was small.

38:48 To be honest,

38:50 I'm already at 1,000 pesos a day.

38:52 Okay. Sir?

38:54 The worker should be paid,

38:56 I saw it when I looked at the data,

38:58 it was written there,

39:00 1,120.

39:02 Oops, I'm still short.

39:04 That's to live a good life.

39:06 A family

39:08 should be paid 1,120.

39:10 Amendment or revision

39:12 of the revised penal code, yes or no?

39:14 We need a lot of amendments.

39:16 Because we don't have time.

39:18 Should we revise the overhaul amendment, sir?

39:22 Because we have to keep up with the times.

39:24 Yes, but just amendments.

39:26 It doesn't need to be revised.

39:28 Divorce law, sir?

39:30 Yes, it should be. It's a protection for women.

39:32 Will you help the principal author,

39:34 Ms. Senator?

39:36 I have my own bill.

39:38 Divorce bill.

39:40 Third, sir, will you help

39:42 to fix the charter change for next year?

39:44 Will you join

39:46 the movement of our administration

39:48 to promote the charter change?

39:50 Yes.

39:52 No reservations?

39:54 Economy and political.

39:56 Okay.

39:58 It's not just one resolution.

40:00 It's not allowed.

40:02 You taught that.

40:04 Yes, sir.

40:06 So, for the 100 pesos,

40:08 will it be approved by the board?

40:10 Will you help

40:12 with the other hike?

40:14 Yes.

40:16 I was elected

40:18 for the welfare

40:20 of all Filipinos.

40:22 Yes.

40:24 And 80% of all Filipinos

40:26 are already short of their salary.

40:28 Okay.

40:30 Maybe we can understand

40:32 the 20%.

40:34 Yes. Okay.

40:36 Sir, in the aid bill,

40:38 will we do more?

40:40 Because it's in aid of

40:42 legislation, sir.

40:44 And as a senator, that is your right.

40:46 That is your power to exercise.

40:48 So, in aid of legislation, sir,

40:50 three laws that you want

40:52 to be in your pipeline

40:54 now. What are the bills?

40:56 That I want to read? Correct.

40:58 Medical cannabis, divorce,

41:00 and this charter.

41:02 What do you want to say

41:04 to the 27 million and 100?

41:06 Let's just go over all of them.

41:08 Not just based on who voted for you,

41:10 because you serve the 110 million Filipinos.

41:12 My dear fellow Filipinos,

41:14 many have already

41:16 criticized us.

41:18 Even the shaving of the mustache

41:20 was an issue.

41:22 My wife

41:24 also made an issue

41:26 about her vitamin intake.

41:28 Even the issue of not wanting to speak English

41:30 that went to iMove.

41:32 Many have criticized us,

41:34 but none of them

41:36 were about the theft.

41:38 We have never

41:40 been targeted

41:42 in that matter.

41:44 I am not absent from the Senate.

41:46 What I do is

41:48 extra. I do a lot of extra work.

41:50 I don't have any more work.

41:52 My staff

41:54 are already complaining, "We don't have work anymore,

41:56 but why are we doing this?"

41:58 Because I am a public servant, you voted for me

42:00 as a servant.

42:02 So, whatever

42:04 issues you are

42:06 talking about,

42:08 I hope you won't be affected

42:10 because all of them

42:12 are just intrigues.

42:14 Showbiz.

42:16 I can't understand them.

42:18 They can't be separated from my handsome husband.

42:20 That's the only issue about that.

42:22 So, I hope

42:24 you won't be affected.

42:26 When it comes to politics,

42:28 I know that I am the one who works

42:30 and I won't let

42:32 your vote and

42:34 the funds you are giving me

42:36 as a Senator go to waste.

42:38 I don't hide anything

42:40 from you. I give it to you.

42:42 Even my own money,

42:44 I give it to you.

42:46 So, forgive us

42:48 if we have small

42:50 shortcomings, but

42:52 others made us grow. Remember,

42:54 I am your voice in the Senate.

42:56 Action, not drama.

42:58 If you don't believe me,

43:00 I won't talk to you like this

43:02 so that 110 million of our Filipinos

43:04 will hear that we should

43:06 believe not only in the work

43:08 of Senator Robin, but also

43:10 in his heart, the working

43:12 Senator. This has been Prime Times

43:14 with Attorney Lia, and I wish you all a good day.

43:16 (Music)

43:18 (upbeat music)

43:21 (upbeat music)

43:23 (upbeat music)

43:26 (upbeat music)

43:28 (upbeat music)

43:31 you

Category

Transcript

Recommended