REPUBLIC OF THE Sen.ate Pasay City

Journal

SESSION NO. 47 Monday, December 13,2010

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST REGULAR SESSION SESSION NO. 47 Monday, December 13,2010

CALL TO ORDER NATIONAL ANTHEM

At 3:31 p.m., the Senate President, Hon. Juan The De La Salle Voices from the De La Salle Ponce Enrile, called the session to order. Lipa led the singing of the national anthem and thereafter rendered the song, entitled "Dakilang PRAYER Adhikain. "

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito ROLL CALL Estrada, led the prayer, to wit: Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary of the Mahal naming Panginoon. sa huling Senate, Atty. Emma Lirio-Reyes, called the roll, to linggo ng aming pagpupulong sa taong which the following senators responded: ito. nawa y maging makabuluhan ang aming mga talakayan. Ang panukalang Arroyo, J. P. Marcos Jr., F. R. batas para sa pambansang badyet na Cayetano, A. P. C. S. Osmena 1II, S. R. ipapasa ng Senado sa linggong ito Cayetano, C. P. S. Recto, R. G. nawa y maging isang regalo ng ating Ejercito Estrada, 1. Revilla Jr., R. B. pamahalaan tungo sa kaunlaran at Enrile, J. P. Sotto III, V. C. kahulihan ng aling mga mamal1layan. Escudero, F. J. G. Zubiri, J. M. F. Ngayong nalalapil na ang araw ng Honasan, G. B. kapanganakan ng aling Poong Maykapal, huhan Po Ninyo ang aming mga puso upang With 13 senators present, the Chair declared the lI1aging mapagpatawad at mapaghigay presence of a quorum. sa aming mga kapwa. Sa lahat ng aming hiyayang linanggap at tinamasa sa taong Senators Angara, Guingona, Pangilinan and Villar ito, ito lamang Po ang aming maibabalik arrived after the roll call. bUang pasasalamat at pagpuri sa Inya. Senator Drilon, who came from the Conference Sana, sa mga daraling na araw, kami Committee meeting on the national budget. likewise 1'0 ay buang nagpapakumbabang naha­ arrived after the roll call. handa na harapin ang mga pagsubok na darating sa amin. Suo Po ang Wiling tiwala Senator Defensor Santiago was on sick leave. na sa Inyong paggabay ay matibay naming malalampasan ang mga ito. Senators Lacson, Lapid and Legarda were absent. Ang lahat Pong ito ay hinihiling namin sa pangalan ng Inyong bugtong na Anak. Senator Trillanes was unable to attend the session Amen. as he was under detention. 924 MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

BIRTHDA Y GREETINGS Pursuant to Section 67, Rule XXIll of the Rules of the Senate, upon motion of Senator Sotto, there At this juncture, the Chair greeted Senators being no objection, the Secretary of the Senate read Osmefia and Villar on the occasion of their birth­ only the title of the bill, to wit: dates, AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL SUSPENSION OF SESSION BENEFITS AND PROTECTION TO THE HOUSEHELPERS THEREBY With the permission of the Body, the Chair AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE suspended the session to allow the Members to greet ARTICLES 141, 142, 143, 148, AND the birthday celebrants. lSI OF CHAPTER III OF p.o. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE It was 3:39 p.m. KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES. RESUMPTION OF SESSION The Senate Secretary called the roll for nominal At 3 :40 p.m., the session was resumed with voting. Senate President Pro Tempore Ejercito Estrada presiding. RESULT OF THE VOTING

MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR SOTTO The result of the voting was as follows:

Senator Sotto congratulated Senator Cayetano In favor (Al for being named as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYMl by the Philippine Jaycees. Arroyo Marcos Cayetano (Al Osmefia Senator Ejercito Estrada congratulated Senator Cayetano (Pl Recto Cayetano (Al likewise. Ejercito Estrada Revilla Enrile Sotto APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL Honasan Zubiri

Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no Against objection, the Body dispensed with the reading of the None Journal of Session No. 46 and considered it approved. Abstention SUSPENSION OF SESSION None Upon motion of Senator Sotto, the session was suspended. With 12 senators voting in favor, none against, and no abstention, the Chair declared Senate Bill If was 3:.fl p.m. No. 78 approved on Third Reading.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION REFERENCE OF BUSINESS

At 3 :41 p.m., the session was resumed. The Secretary of the Senate read the following mattes and the Chair made the corresponding referrals: APPROVAL OF SENATE BILL NO. 78 ON THIRD READING MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body considered, on Third Reading, Letters from Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of Senate Bill No. 78, printed copies of which were the House of Representatives, all dated distributed to the senators on December 7, 2010. 21 September 20 I 0, designating the following r y MONDAY, DECEMBER 13,2010 925

Representatives as Members of the House AND CONDITION OF AIRPORTS IN panel to the following Oversight Committees: THE PHILIPPINES, BOTH INTER­ NATIONAL AND DOMESTIC, WITH Representatives Fernandez (D, R,), Ocampo THE END IN VIEW OF PROMOTING (R, A,), Angping (Ma, Z,), Alcala (L), PHILIPPINE TOURISM INFRA­ and Cajayon (M, M,) for the Oversight STRUCTURE Committee on the Philippine Clean Air Act; Introduced by Senator Villar

Representatives Garcia (A, R,), Mandanas To the Committees on Public Works; and (H,) and Mendoza (M, L) for the Tourism Oversight Committee on the Safeguard Measures Act (COCSMA); and Proposed Senate Resolution No, 309, entitled Representatives Fernandez (D, R,), Herrera­ Dy (B,), lIagan (L), Romulo (R,) and RESOLUTION URGING THE APPRO­ Velasco (L A,) for the Oversight PRIATE SENATE COMMITTEE/S Committee on the Philippine Clean TO ASSESS, IN AID OF LEGIS­ Water Act LATION, THE PRESENT DRUG DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF To the Committee on Rules THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VIs-A-VIS BILLS ON FIRST READING THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF HEALTH RESEARCHES IN THE Senate Bill No, 2623, entitled COUNTRY WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF DEVELOPING HEALTH AL TER­ AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 6 OF NATIVES AND PROVIDING COST REPUBLIC ACT NO, 10000 OTHER­ EFFECTIVE MEDICINES FOR THE WISE KNOWN AS THE AGRI-AGRA PEOPLE REFORM CREDIT ACT OF 2009 Introduced by Senator Villar Introduced by Senator Pangilinan To the Committees on Health and Demo­ To the Committee on Agriculture and Food graphy; and Trade and Commerce

Senate Bill No, 2624, entitled COMMUNICATION

AN ACT GRANTING TAX DEDUC­ Letter from the Bangko Sentral ng Pi/ipinas, TIONS TO PARENTS AND LEGAL dated 23 November 2010, furnishing the Sena!e GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN WITH with a certified true copy of BSP Circular SPECIAL NEEDS No, 699, series of 2010, dated 17 November 2010, in compliance with Section 15(a) of Introduced by Senator Villar Republic Act No. 7653 (The New Central Bank Act). To the Committee on Ways and Means To the Committee on Banks, Financial RESOLUTIONS Institutions and Currencies

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 308, entitled INQUIRY OF SENATOR ARROYO

RESOLUTION URGING THE APPRO­ Upon query of Senator Arroyo, Senator Zubiri PRIA TE COMMITTEES TO CON­ stated that he was availing himself of the privilege DUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF hour again to speak about Philippine sports, which is LEGISLATION, ON THE STATUS close to his heart, and the problems confronting it, " 926 MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF SENATOR ZUBIRI team to fend for themselves. That is the big, big disappointment of our football players and millions of Filipino fans. Most important Availing himself of the privilege hour, Senator is that it has come to represent the lack of Zubiri spoke about the plight of the Philippine football foresight of our sports agencies. I am not team as it goes into the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki blaming the officials of this new Philippine Cup 2010: Sports Commission (PSC) administration but the lack of foresight in the policies of the past THE AZKALS AND THE STATE adminis-tration which we do not want to be OF PHILIPPINE SPORTS: carried over in the present administration. HAS IT GONE TO THE DOGS? It also tells us that our athletes are often left to fend on their own. And that, combined with rise today to congratulate the Azkals, the centralized character of sports development, no, not your everyday street-dogs of mixed poor to no funding and the lack of a clear policy, breed. They are the young men who are spells disaster. converting basketball-loving Filipinos over to As in many cases, mostly the generosity football. Their team play is winning glory for of benefactors - like Dan Palami and Manny the country. They are: Pangilinan - pushed our teams on and in the Ian Araneta Roel Gener process covered up the shortcomings of our Jerry Barbaso Robert Gier government sports program. Yanti Barsales Christopher Greatwich This sad state of affairs in no way refers David Mark Basa Peter Jaugan to the Filipino athlete's mettle. Allow me to say Joebel Bermejo Ray Jonsson a few things about our football players. Alexander BotTomeo Nestor Margarse Emelio Caligdong Reymark Palmes The best scoring ability in football history is Christopher Cam cam Kristopher Relucio held by a Filipino - Paulino Alcantara, an Jason de Jong Eduard Sacapafio I1onggo who became a doctor. No one has Anton del Rosario James Younghusband surpassed his scoring ability. From 1912to 1916, he scored 356 goals in 357 game appearances. Mark Ferrer From 1921 to 1923, he scored six goals in five appearances. He is the all-time best goal scorer. Also, to Simon Alexander McMenemy, His goal in April 20, 1922, is also one of the Edwin Cabal ida, Edzel Bracamonte, Rolando strongest balls, so strong, my friends, that it Piftero, Walfred Javier, Josef Malinay, Dan punched a hole through the net. Without doubt, Palami and Rick Olivares who consist the football players want to emulate him. He is up coaching staff, management and media unit. there in football history where the likes of Johan These men are teaching us three traits: Cryuff, the flying Dutchman, and the lovable Passion, Skill and Joy. That is the football Pele of Brazil belong. Ballack, Beckham and mantra. Leidenschaji, Geschick, Freude, in the Rooney have yet to kick up goals to achieve the language of the 1'Ile Paul, the German Octopus. feat of Spanish•. I1onggo Paulino Alcantara. Our football players display this mantra in In the present crop of our football players, and out of the football field. Sadly, some officials we already see that glimmer of hope - hope that and pretenders in the Philippine Football Filipinos will once more gain glory for the Federation (PFF) do not display, anymore, the country through football - the on Iy sports football mantra of Passion. Skill and Joy. called "The Beautiful Game." Because of the lack of passion and possible Our team has improved the country's corruption in the PFF and other sports agencies, standing. We occupy rank 175, on the average, and wrong policies and politics in our sports but these young men have improved our ranking program, we are not going to be able to host the by leaps and goals. In the FIFA's own words Philippine leg of the Asian Football Federation after three successive Filipino wins: "Every Suzuki Cup - depriving Filipino fans their cloud has a silver lining. Even the Philippines, opportunity to cheer our teams. long considered to be one of Asia's abject underdogs, had their day as the island nation It is final. All arrangements regarding the shot up 13 places in December's FIFA/Coca­ coming Indonesia-Philippines game is directed Cola world ranking following a second-place towards Indonesia - at the Gelora Bung Kamo finish in qualifying for the ASEAN Football Stadium. Once again, we are leaving our Azkals Federation (AFF) Championship in November.'#, r MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010 927

And then: "The Philippines pulled off one of Unbelievable but unfortunately true. It the biggest shocks in the history of the AFF seems that we are so predisposed to the fact that Suzuki Cup with a 2-0 win over defending cham­ our football teams cannot win and therefore we pion Vietnam." need not prepare our stadiums for champion­ ships. That is a shame, as our smaller neighbors OUf team is on a winning run. like Cambodia and Laos have accredited facilities Meanwhile, deep in our hearts, we know we and we do not have any. have failed, fair and square, to bring our team On top of the physical inadequacies of our to play in their home court. After studying stadium, there is disunity in the ranks of sports the book FlFA Football Stadiums Technical officials in charge of football. They have to get Recommendations and Requirements, I found their acts together. Clean house, as the out FIFA has 10 prerequisites to be considered Federacion Internationale de Football Associa­ for international matches. Briefly, they are: tion, or FIFA, said. Pay your coaches in time 1. Pre-construction decisions such as and pay them well, the athletes say this too. stadium location, field orientation, multi­ An international sports federation calls purpose facilities for transparency and accountability. So we 2. Safety should not just respond to their call but to 3. Parking generate optimism in football and consequently 4. Playing area in other sports. 5. Players and match officials - dressing rooms, media rooms, showers The Philippine Football Federation is the recognized national sports association - or 6. Spectators NSA - offootball in the Philippines. The NSA 7. Hospitality is "organized for their respective sports in the 8. Media Philippines and affiliated with their respective 9. Lighting and power supply international federations and with the Philippine 10. Communication and additional areas Olympic Committee which have exclusive technical control over the promotion and After reading these lines from the FIFA development of the particular sports for which guidebook, the first thing that came to my mind they are organized." was our Panaad Stadium from my father's home province of Negros Occidental since it has As the football NSA, the PFF is authorized already hosted past international games. With to receive assistance from the Philippine Sports rumors being passed around in the internet that Commission. It is also the F1FA-accredited NSA we do not have a venue to host our home and and has also received financial support from FIFA. away game, friends and football fans asked for help. I frantically called PSC Chair Richie Garcia It is dawning on us that money will solve a last Thursday night and asked him for his assess­ lot of our problems, but it is not the only ment on the use of the stadium. According to ingredient to the solution. There is a brewing word war among the directors and officers of the the PSC Chair, being a fell~w Negrense and a football fan himself, he was as excited with the PFF - where the extreme position calls for the prospect of hosting it there but after a check replacement of its head. with the custodians of the stadium, he found There are so many questions in my mind: out that we cannot get accreditation because the lighting was inadequate and has to be doubled I. What happened to the funds support given and that the field was not properly maintained. to the PFF all these years? r was immediately frustrated with this reply. 2. How much was given? And was it enough to I even offered my PDAF as a source of funds to maintain an honest-ta-goodness sports fix the lights; however, he answered that it would program or at the very least a well maintained still be physically impossible to do that all in a stadium from our existing stadiums? week's time especially on the preparations of the football field which could take weeks. Unbeliev­ 3. What is with all the politics in the NSA? able. I just cannot believe that a country like ours Should we review the system we have in has no accredited facility to host an international order to create a super sports program similar football game. Ironically, with no offense meant to our nation's basketball team - Smart Gilas, to basketball and its fans, we have PBA and who, as a team, has been training together NBA certified courts in most of our provinces, all the past two years to try to achieve basketball across the country, from north to south. greatness in the international arena? 928 MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010

4. Did this type of politics call for the ouster of remittances to the National Sports Development the PFF head, Jose Mari Martinez, during the Fund (NSDF). Likewise, the Philippine Charity duration of Suzuki Cup toumament creating Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) will contribute from a stir with the ASEAN Football Federation? revenues generated from lottery draws. Was the timing off? What were the reasons Although they are mandated to do so in of these changes? And can the new leader­ their charters, the PCSO and P AGCOR are also ship assure us that this was for the good part of the problem as they do not accurately of the sport? remit the amounts due to the PSC for their sports 5. And most importantly, for the PFF and the programs. PSC, why do we not have an accredited In addition to all these travails in the sports venue to allow us football fans a chance to sector, the PSC, the PAGCOR and the PCSO are cheer for our team, for OUf country and for also embroiled in a conflict regarding the our glory? interpretation of the NSDF and the shares that So many more questions come to my mind should be remitted by the two revenue-earning but I will save them for a congressional hearing government bodies, which I believe should also in the near future to find out how we can help be part of the investigative inquiry. our country's sports program. Accordingly, the NSAs have to submit I know there are many sports-minded their plans and programs, or requests, to the individuals in this august Chamber, one of them PSc. Attached to it should be an endorsement happen to be our healthiest senator, Sen. Pia S. from the POc. Either the NSAs are inefficient or Cayetano. the PSC and the POC are negligent, or, both, that our sports programs are inadequate to fulfill not For a moment, we may leave this issue of the only our international commitments but our missed football match in the home court. constitutional mandate to fulfill the needs of our However, it is inevitable that the football story youth. will force us to look into what is ailing our sports programs nationwide. And finally, I am appealing to the current government, particularly to Qur President, We must look at the big picture of how President Benigno Aquino III, to stand up for often we just pay lip service to sports and Philippine sports. Just on the issue of the athletics development Slim medal harvest and stadium alone, if P-Noy wants it to happen, low ranking generally describe the Philippines he can make it happen. All he has to do is just despite laws creating the Philippine Sports get involved. Commission (PSC) and the constitution of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Vou may ask: Why should our President have to get involved? Well, it is for our nation's For example, there was a I 88-member glory and for the unity of our people. Heck, look national delegation to the 16'" Asian Games in what Rep. Manny Pacquiao has done to our Guangzhou, China. Our athletes brought home country in terms of national pride, unity and three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals. even tourism. But he cannot fight for us forever I wonder how many of them were' athletes, and there can on Iy be one Manny P;'cquiao. Let coaches, trainers, doctors and others directly us learn from the superpowers such as China, inputting into the performances? And how many the U.s., France, Germany, England and even our were on junkets paid for by public money? neighbors, Japan and Korea, that used sports to It has been announced by the PSC that rally their people to unite behind their nation and P400 million will be used "to fund the country's behind their flag. various athletic and grassroots programs next ycar.'· Some unsolicited advice for the President, and I know that President Noy does not like to The PSC will get P 168 million for operating be given unsolicited advice but here it comes expenses from the GAA and the rest to be anyway. divided among NSAs. In addition, the DBM has Please watch the movie lnvictus. It is the approved P30 million for the 20 II Southeast story of the great Nelson Mandela, elected as Asian Games in Indonesia, Philippine National the first black President of South Africa. He was Games, and the Satang Pinoy. facing threats and disunity by the minorily white Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusements and South African population that controlled the Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will provide the business and economy of the nation. In order to balance of P202 million via their monthly unite his people, he turned to sports and#" f? MONDAY, DECEMBER 13,2010 929

supported the white South African rugby team RESUMPTION OF SESSION which was considered by his black countrymen as a white man's sport. In the end, he earned At 4: 19 p.m., the session was resumed with the respect of the white population and united Senator Honasan presiding, the people behind their team and their flag, rallying their outclassed rugby players to a INTERPELLATION world championship. It is a lesson we should all learn and, if I may, this movie should be made a OF SENATOR CAYETANO (P) required viewing for all our Presidents to infuse energy to our low-batt sports programs. And to At the outset, Senator Cayetano (P) expressed quote English poet William Ernest Henly: sympathy for the plight of Filipino athletes who do not get the attention and accolade they deserve, as Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, she pointed out that Manny Pacquiao was already I thank whatever God's may be for my being honored in other countries before his own unconquerable soul. countrymen recognized his accomplishments and Nonito Donaire seemed to be going through the In the fell clutch of circumstance same experience, Noting that there is more politics I have not winced nor cried aloud under the bludgeonings of chances. in Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) than in the My head is bloody but unbowed. actual world of politics, she hoped that the PSC leadership would have the political will to study and Beyond this place of wrath and decide just how much is needed and how much it will tears, looms but the horror of the shade, take to groom Olympians and possibly replicate the and yet the menace of the years finds, feat of Australia, Australia, she pointed out, came up and shall find, me unafraid. with a very respectable finish in the last Olympics It matters not how strait the gate, despite the fact that it has a small pool of athletes how charged with punishments the compared to the United States and China, scroll, I am the master of my faith, I am the captain of my soul. Without meaning any disrespect to basketball Let this be an inspiration to all of us that players and the basketball-loving Filipinos, Senator have to go through the darkness that we should Cayetano (P) stressed that there are sports other not leave them alone. Mabuhay ang Team than basketball in which Filipinos are genetically Azkals! Mabuhay ang Filipinas! predisposed to excel and which could be easily sustained financially such as swimming and football. ACKNOWLEDGMENT With the PSC taking the lead, she be lieved that the OF THE PRESENCE OF GUESTS Filipinos could learn to love football which is also a team sport and a crowd drawer. But still, she At this juncture, Senator Sotto acknowledged expressed frustration over the continuing squabbles the presence in the gallery of the following gu~'sts: among the NSA, the PSC and the POC, as she recalled the controversies that beset the basketball • His Eminence, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal; and cycling teams and recently the dragon boat team. • Representative Rachel Del Mar; and Senator Zubiri expressed hope that with Peping Mrs. Fenny Tatad, wife of former Sen, Cojuangco at the helm of POC and Ritchie Garcia at Francisco S, Tatad. PSC, there is a chance the warring factions could come together to thresh out their differences and Senate President Pro Tempore Ejercito Estrada discuss an honest-to-goodness sports program, welcomed the guests to the Senate. Furthermore, he said that while funding is essential, there should also be proper utilization offunds, as he SUSPENSION OF SESSION noted the accusations of fraud and corruption in the Philippine Football Federation and other NSAs, With the permission of the Body, the Chair He shared the frustration of the dragon boat team suspended the session. that despite clocking the best time in the qualifications at Bay, was not sent to the Asian games It was 4: 08 p. m. because of the squabble between the NSA and the PSc.,#' r 930 MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

Senator Cayetano (P) feared that the cycle Acknowledging that resources for sports are not would just be repeated, with the bata-bata or enough, Senator Cayetano (P) suggested that the padrino system rearing its ugly head. However, she LGUs, especially the affluent cities and provinces, expressed gladness for the support of Manny must recognize their role as breeding grounds of Pangilinan and his companies for Philippine sports, athletes and must set aside a sizeable portion of as she cited his donation of a million pesos to their budgets for sports development and the the football team. sponsorship of amateur and professional athletes who can compete in international meets or events. In Senator Cayetano (P) believed that iffunds from this connection, she cited Camarines Sur Gov. LRey the private sector can be pooled, Philippine sports Villafuerte, who embarked on the development of could move faster but, she asserted, there must be a sports tourism that included the construction of very cohesive plan as to where and how the funds are to good roads and facilities so that it could host sports be spent. She pointed out that in the United States, events like triathlons. She said that athletes and the amateur sports development program was built tourists from all over Asia and other parts of the into the public school system, with schools fielding world flock to the province either to take part in teams in football and swimming; besides, there are competitions or simply enjoy the facilities. recreational areas with courts and swimming pools. The national teams, she said, are being trained, As to the role of the academic institutions, equipped and taken care of by sponsors from the Senator Cayetano (P) stated that she filed Senate private sector. Bill No. 2620 creating the Philippine High School for Sports and a certain amount was allocated to Senator Cayetano (P) expressed the view that the National University for Sports in the 2011 GAB. the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) should take She underscored that the Filipinos must be aware the lead and resolve the problems and conflicts that there are sports, other than basketball, where besetting Philippine sports so that the basic needs of Filipinos can excel. athletes such as proper training, adequate equipment and support could be provided. Agreeing thereto, Senator Zubiri emphasized that what is really needed is an honest-to-goodness national Senator Zubiri agreed that U.S. colleges and sports program I ike those pursued by South Korea, universities give sports scholarships to athletes and Japan, and China whose athletes compete for gold they are also supported by funds from the private with the support of the citizenry. sector so that they can train well, and they, in fact, provide the pool for the national teams. INQUIRY OF THE CHAIR In the case of Philippine amateur players, he lamented that private universities like De La Salle University At this juncture, the Chair inquired whether it and Ateneo de Manila University focus their would be prudent for the Senate committee to conduct programs on basketball, spending huge amounts to a hearing or host a summit, starting with a performance scout and recruit tall players who play not for the audit of all sports programs from Gintong Alay down love of the sport but for monetary consideration. the line, to determine the actual state of Philippine He agreed that sports in general really need the help sports and on the basis of which a comprehensive of the government and private institutions, especially sports development plan could be drawn up. to sponsor core SPOIlS events and expose select athletes to regional and international competitions to Senator Zubiri agreed, saying that it could also hone their skills and techniques to bring them at par come up with strategies to achieve priority programs with the world's high caliber players. like the rehabilitation of the Teachers' Camp in Baguio City that could house athletes while they are The appropriate Senate committee, he agreed, being trained. He also mentioned the proposal to shou Id conduct a hearing to ask the PSC, POC and create the Philippine Sports Institute and the Philippine public and private entities and individuals involved High School for Sports where athletes can train and, in sports for their inputs into a sports development at the same time, obtain world-class education. plan so that the performance of Philippine athletes can be improved even for a regional event like the Senator Cayetano (P) supported the Chair's Asian Games. proposal for the Senate to conduct a hearing or a r' MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010 931 summit because they, as senators, can bring into the As to which is the more popular sport, Senator discussion their impartiality because there is so much Zubiri said that football is more popular than basketball politics these days in Philippine sports. in the Visayas, particularly in the 1I0nggo-speaking area like Negros. He pointed out that a week after INTERPELLATION creating the "Azkals' Fan Page" on Facebook, it had OF SENATOR EJERCITO ESTRADA 10,000 fans and that could have increased to a million which just shows that the team has rallied many Asked by Senator Ejercito Estrada whether Fi Iipinos to support it He lamented that Team Azkals football is governed by a national sports associa­ has lost the opportunity to play against Indonesia on tion (NSA), Senator Zubiri answered that the home soil for the quarterfinals scheduled on December Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is the govern­ 16, 2010 because the country does not have even ing body of football. As regards the financial help one accredited facility. Moreover, he said that it the PFF was receiving from the Philippine Sports would be more frustrating for the Filipinos to see Commission (PSC), he said that he did not have their team play the finals on the pit of the opposing that information. team. He clarified that he has nothing against basketball, in fact, he is a big basketball fan and Senator Ejercito Estrada recalled that in an supported the naturalization of Marcus Douthit so investigation he conducted on the PSC a few years that he could play for Smart Gilas. ago, he learned that the Commission was giving incentives or training allowances to all athletes under Senator Zubiri said that many people who were the NSAs. watching that day's session on livestream were so appreciative that the Senate was looking into the Asked about the financial support for basketball, problems of Philippine sports, football in particular. Senator Zubiri said that he was not aware of any but If the country wanted to excel in football, he reiterated he knows that Smart Gilas is 80% sponsored by that height is not that important because South Manny Pangilinan. Boxing, he added, also gets support Americans players from Bolivia, Ecuador and Brazil from corporations. are, on the average, 5'8" or 5'9."

Stating that basketball and boxing are the two Senator Ejercito Estrada said that in spite the most popular sports in the country, Senator Ejercito fact that football is the most popular sport in the Estrada recalled that during his tenure as president of world, its training allocation from the Philippine the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), government is a far cry from that of Spain. now the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the association did not receive any financial help or Asked why the Philippine team is named "Azkals," allowance from the NSA. the Filipino slang for street dogs of mixed breed, Senator Zubiri said that it is the name the players, six AS,·to how much the SBA was receiving from of Vihom are British-Filipino, adopted because like the NSA, Senator Zubiri said that he did no! have the the askals, they felt that they had been abandoned or information. had been neglected by the government

Senator Ejercito Estrada reasoned that government As to the request of Senator Ejercito Estrada money should be spent on a sport, like boxing, where to be furnished with a copy of the expenses of Filipinos can excel. He believed that football is not a the team and the financial help given to it by sport for the Filipinos who have a small physique. the PFF, Senator Zubiri said that his office would Senator Zubiri disagreed as he pointed out that provide the same. football players do not have to be tall, except the goalie who is usually a six-footer. He cited the Senator Cayetano (P) interjected that one of Spanish national team that just WOll the World Cup the coaches of the triathlon team informed her that whose members averaged 5'7" in height He stressed the standard monthly incentives for athletes were that agility and speed are more important as proven as follows: P 15,000 - medalists; P8,000 - Class B by Team Azkals that made a record in the Suzuki athletes, top performers but not medalists; P6,000 Cup by beating the defending champion Vietnam and - team members. Moreover, she said that when managing a draw with Singapore and Myanmar. Harry Angpin was chair of PSC, he gave the p r 932 MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010

athletes a P3,000 Christmas bonus. She stated that Reiterating that the government should assess she supports the Chair's suggestion that the Senate its sports program, Senator Sotto said that it shou Id should be a third party mediator as she pointed out focus on billiards because it is the number one that it is the athletes who sutTer while the NSA sport where the Filipinos excel anywhere. Noting officials were mired in politics. that any Filipino can play billiards at almost any street corner, he asserted that Filipinos have a MANIFESTATION OF SENATOR SOTTO fighting chance of becoming number one in billiards in the world, noting that many Filipinos are into the Saying that he was active in sports for almost 20 game because it is cheap. He asked why the PSC years, Senator Sotto warned that the situation might cannot venture into sports like table tennis where be exacerbated if the government stepped in. He it can just set up ping pong tables anywhere and noted that the Philippine Bowling Congress was a he expressed confidence that most likely, good strong organization that produced world champions in players will emerge. He noted that getting Filipinos the mid-'70s up to the early '80s when it was on its into sports where they have no chance of making own. He recalled that in the 1977 Southeast Asian it big in the world arena is just a waste of money, Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Philippine especially so when government and politics inter­ team, of which he was a member, won seven out of vene. He hoped that the Committee on Games, the eight gold medals. He lamented that when the Amusement and Sports would include the issue PSC came in, the country did not win even a single in the committee hearing. medal in bowling in the last . He reiterated that Philippine sports under the NSA Senator Cayetano (P) reiterated that she filed should not be under the umbrella of the PSC so that a bill creating the national high school for sports private financial assistance from the likes of Danding and Senator Angara filed a bill creating a sports Conjuangco would be readily available to athletes university that has an allocation in the 20 II GAB. without government intervention. Senator Zubiri opined that Filipinos are good in Reacting thereo, Senator Zubiri believed that the billiards because of constant practice, noting the PSC should just be a policy-making body and on its proliferation of billiard tables, just like basketball part, the NSA could solicit funds from business courts, in almost all corners of the country. However, entities. However, he pointed out that government he stated that the Filipinos are not predisposed intervention might not necessarily be harmful, as he genetically to compete in basketball against the best recalled that the country won the most number of in the world. He assumed that Filipinos can excel in medals in regional competitions during the life of the sports where size and built are not important, like Gintong Alay, the sports body created by the Marcos chess, where Wesley So excels, or in billiards and Administration. He stressed that the government football. He recalled how the Mexican ambassador should just assess its existing SPOlts programs and do wondered why Filipinos did not excel in football away with politics. when they have the same built and height of players from football giants Mexico, Spain and Italy. He Senator Sotto maintained that government should believed that Filipinos do have the skills and the just concentrate on enhancing sports programs where speed which are needed to excel in football. But to Filipinos can win because more often than not, there achieve that goal, he stated that the country must are certain sports where Filipino athletes, in spite of have an accredited football playing venue that can the money put into their training, fail miserably in host international competitions; the sports program international competitions. must be properly planned; and President Aquino must get involved in sports. He recalled that President In the tleld of basketball, Senator Sotto said that Arroyo showed support for athletes whom she although many Filipinos play good at home, they are welcomed to Malacailang after they competed in nothing compared to foreign players who are much international competitions. Also, he noted how South taller. In the field of swimming, he said that Filipino African leader Nelson Mandela, recounted in the swimmers always occupy the side lanes at trial heats movie Invictus, used sports to unite his people. and as a consequence, they swim in the wake of Lastly, he hoped that the hearing of the Committee speedier and more powerful swimmers who occupy on Games, Amusement and Sports could help move the center lanes. the sports program forward. r , MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010 933

SUSPENSION OF SESSION Reductions in the appropriation Jor the Jollowing: I. MOOE 000 SUCs, P32.777 million; this was Upon motion of Senator Sotto, the session the source of the PI 10.330 million that was was suspended to allow the Members to go into a restored to the 80 SUCs. caucus, 2. Department of Health - Office of the Secretary, P200 million; II was 5: 16 p.m. 3. Philippine National Police, P60 million; RESUMPTION OF SESSION 4. Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits' Fund, P993.330 million; At 5:58 p.m., the session was resumed with the S. Priority Development Assistance Fund Senate President presiding. (PDAF) of one senator, P200 million; Realignments oj the Jollowing: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON HOUSE BILL NO. 3101 I. Department of Education: for the creation of 5,000 new teaching positions, P7S0 million; Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no 2. DepEd - P70 million transferred from the objection, the Body considered the Conference quick response fund, to the GSIS insurance premium for school buildings in calamity - Committee Report on the disagreeing votes on prone areas; House Bill No. 310 I, entitled Special Provisions and Special Activities: AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR I. Department of Agriculture: Implementation THE OPERATlON OF THE GOVERN­ offann-to-market roads; Additional provision MENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE to give priority to the releases of the PHILIPPINES FROM JANUARY ONE Department of Agrarian Reform in the TO DECEMBER THIRTY ONE, TWO implementation of farm-to-market roads; * THOUSAND ELEVEN, AND FOR 2. Department of Education - P70 million to pay OTHER PURPOSES. the insurance premium for school buildings in calamity-prone areas as identified by the The Chair recognized Senator Drilon to sponsor DepEd; the report. 3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Use of income: Authority SPONSORSHIP SPEECH to use additional income of PI IS million OF SENATOR DRILON for the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses of the Registry of Deeds and the Senator Drilon submitted to the Body the Land Registration Authority; Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing 4. Department of Foreign Affairs - P2.843 billion votes on House Bill 3 101, the 20 II General for the purchase of blank passports to be Appropriations Bi II. He then proceeded to summarize used also for other expenses directly related what were agreed upon by both Houses as follows: to the E-passport implementation; 6. Department of Health - use of income Increase in the appropriations o[ the [ollowing: from the Food and Drug Administration l. Restoration of the Maintenance and Other with the insertion of the additional Operating Expenses of 80 State Universities proviso: PROVIDED, THAT THE RETAINED and Colleges in the amount of PI 10.330 INCOME MAYBE USED ONLY AFTER million. THE FDA HAS INCREASED ITS FEES, FINES, ROYALTIES AND OTHER 2. The Office ofthe Vice President, P8 million; CHARGES COLLECTED IN ACCORDANCE 3. Financial Subsidy to Local Government Units, WITH REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9711 OR THE P200 million; FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ACT AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9502, 4. The House of Representatives, PSI9 million; UNIVERSALLY KNOWN AS ACCESSIBLE,- and the Senate of the Philippines, P345 million to bring both to 95% of the 2010 level; *As corrected by Senator Drilon on December 15, 2010, r 934 MONDAY, DECEMBER 13.2010

CHEAPER AND QUALITY MEDICINE ACT given to the conduct of the feasibility study OF 2008. (Sen, Pia Cayetano's amendment); for the construction of new roads to decongest EDSA; (Recto amendment)" 6. Department of the Interior and Local Government - Payment of pension, pursuant II. Commission on Higher Education Scholarship to the Supreme Court decision in G.R. Funds - Scholarship funds shall include No. 169466, dated May 4, 2007; scholarship programs for degrees in Liberal Arts, and Social Science, Natural Science 7. MOOE of the PNP operating units -- The and Art Education, local and foreign MOOE of provincial, district, city and scholarships; municipal stations which are included in the budget of the police regional offices shall 12. Development Academy of the Philippines - be distributed within five (5) days from receipt The training program of the DAP shall be of the fund to the said operating units. geared towards the training of government The MOOE allocation per station shall be officials/executives and other employees. computed based on the number of policemen The curriculum shall be prepared by the multiplied by PI 000; DAP in consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the Career Executive Service 8. Department of Public Works and Highways Board or the CESB; - The deletion of the special provision mandating that the amount appropriated 13. Philippine Institute for Development Studies for the programs and projects of the Subsidy - The amount shall be used for the DPWH shall be released to the central office conduct of policy studies, especially on fiscal for effective monitoring. This is for faster and financial policies for the use of policy­ downloading of the available funds; makers, including the DBM and the Congress of the Philippines. (Angara amendment) 9. Department of Social Welfare and Develop­ It is also provided that the PIDS shall ment - submit to the library of both Houses of a Provision mandating the inter­ Congress, copies of their studies, papers, agency committee of the CCT program to journals and similar publications; form a Secretariat under the DSWD, manned 14. Priority Development Assistance Fund - the by knowledgeable and experienced staff from Vice President is authorized to identifY the DSWD, DepEd, DBM, DOH to oversee infrastructure projects amounting to a total the implementation of the CCT program. of P200 million, PlOD million of which is for (Angara amendment); infrastructure projects and the other PlOD b. Provision requiring that the funds million for the so-called soft-projects;" released for the actual cash grant shall be 15. Amendments to General Provisions directly deposited by the DSWD to the government depository bank, and in the a. (Arroyo amendment) An amendment absence thereof, in rural and other thrift to the General Provisions, to wit: THE TOTAL banks duly accredited by the BSP and such INDEBTEDNESS OF THE NA TlONAL other means of remittance. (Angara amend­ GOVERNMENT AND ANY OF ITS AGENCIES ment) With this provision cash does not OFFICES, AND GOCCS WHiCH CARRY pass through DSWD but from the DBM A SOVEREIGN GUARANTY OF THE directly to the Landbank.; REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SHALL NOT EXCEED 55% OF THE LATEST GDP," c. Oversight Committee - The provi­ sion mandating the Oversight Committee on IN CASE THE NATIONAL GOVERN­ Public Expenditures created under the general MENT OR ANY OF ITS SUBDIVISIONS provisions of the 20 II GAA to strictly monitor WOULD BORROW BEYOND 55% OF THE the effective implementation of the CCT LATEST GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, Program. PRIOR CONSENT OF CONGRESS IS REQUIRED. d. The CCT Secretariat shall submit b. An additional provision on Service reports on the CCT Program to the House Contracts: SERVICE CONTRACTS ENTERED Committee on Appropriations and the Senate INTO BY DEPARTMENT AGENCIES, Committee on Finance. BUREAUS, OFFICES AND GOCCs SHALL 10. Department of Transportation and Communi­ cations Transport Studies Fund - Priority is *As corrected by Senator Drilon on December 15 20 I 0 'r ~ MONDAY. DECEMBER 13.2010 935

BE FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSE AND A Senator Drilon thanked the Members for their SPECIFIED PERIOD. (Marcos amendment). support and understanding. He stated that it was a c. An amendment stating that 30% process that everyone went through. He expressed allocation for Mindanao ITom applicable lump hope that the Committee was able to present to the sum appropriations shall be released subject Body a budget that would move the country forward to the submission of the detailed list of in the next 12 months. programs and projects. (Marcos amendment); d. To have transparency in the disbursement of Thereupon, he moved for the adoption of the the internal revenue allotments of the LGUs, Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the a new provision was incorporated stating disagreeing votes on House Bill No. 310 I. THAT THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOT­ MENT OF THE LGUS SHALL BE USED IN APPROVAL OF THE CONFERENCE ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION I7(G)AND COMMITTEE REPORT 287 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160. Submitted to a vote, with a majority of senators It also provides that the annual budget voting in favor, the Conference Committee Report on of the LGUs shall be prepared in accordance the disagreeing votes on House Bill No. 3 101 was with the forms, procedures and schedules approved by the Body. prescribed by the DBM and the COA. In addition to the publication and MANIFEST A nON posting requirements in three publicly OF SENATOR CAYETANO (A) accessible and conspicuous places in the LGUs, the detailed information on the use Senator Cayetano (A) manifested that the and disbursement of the funds, the end status three members of the Minority, consistent with of the programs and the projects of the LGU their vote on Second Reading and for the same are also required to be posted in the LGU reasons they expressed during the interpellations, websites. were constrained to vote "no" on the Conference e. Finally, the creation of the Oversight Committee Report. Committee on Public Expenditures - The oversight committee would monitor how Senator Cayetano (A) congratulated the Senate government funds are spent in accordance and thanked Senator Drilon, in particular, for the with the law. restoration of the budget of the SUCs which shows f. The deletion of Annexes A and B in the the commitment of the administration to the SUCs. General Appropriations Bill which referred to the inclusion of the General Services, Interest REMARKS OF SENATOR SOTTO Payments, and the Internal Revenue Allotment as these are already automatically Senator Sotto said that he has been informed that appropriated under existing laws and ,'the the House of Representatives has just passed the budget is only for purposes of the new Concurrent Resolution on the Amnesty Proclamation appropriations. with amendments but the Senate has yet to receive Thereafter, Senator Drilon emphasized that the official transmission from the House. Relative Congress basically followed the President's budget, thereto, he said that with the permission of the chair in fact, the first budget of Pres. "Noynoy" Aquino. of the Committee on Peace, Unification and He hoped that the present administration would Reconciliation, the Body would just take up the carry out the programs as outlined in its budget, measure in the next day's session. and that if ever he would be given the opportunity to chair the Committee for the proposed 2012 REFERRAL OF SPEECH budget, he would see how the 20 II budget had TO COMMITTEE been implemented and he would be less sympathetic if he would not tind, notwithstanding Congress' full Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no support, that the budget was not carried out in objection, the Chair referred the privilege speech of accordance with what is indicated in the General Senator Zubiri and the interpellations thereon to the Appropriations Act. Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports. r )f' 936 MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

SUSPENSION OF SESSION adjourned until three o'clock in the afternoon of the following day, Upon \11otion of Senator Sotto, the session was suspended. It was 6:2-1 p.m.

11 was 6:23 p.m. I hereby certify to the correctness of the RESUMPTION OF SESSION foregoing,

At 6:24 p.m., the session was resumed.

ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION EMMA L1RIO RE ES tv..,-,..-­ Secretary 1.-the fJnate 4'''' Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Chair declared the session Approved on December 14, 2010