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What is really happening behind the headlines? What are the issues shaping the country today, and how are leaders responding to them?
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we sit down with Kiko Barzaga, Representative of the Cavite 4th District, for a deeper look into the current political landscape. From national concerns to the realities on the ground, we unpack what matters most to Filipinos today.
📺 Catch us LIVE today at 12 noon.
Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we sit down with Kiko Barzaga, Representative of the Cavite 4th District, for a deeper look into the current political landscape. From national concerns to the realities on the ground, we unpack what matters most to Filipinos today.
📺 Catch us LIVE today at 12 noon.
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NewsTranscript
00:00And then just for my information also, Kong, I read about your suspension.
00:06That was February 4th and it was a 60-day suspension.
00:10What's the status now that it's already April?
00:13Well, the suspension is over by today.
00:16But Congress is in recess.
00:18So the first session in the plenary would be on May 4th.
00:22Hmm. And now, sige, sige, because now we go back to some of the conversations which you may have missed
00:31because you were not on duty at that time.
00:35So I'd also like to hear your thoughts about them.
00:38Now, I'll start with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Wednesday.
00:44I think this was Wednesday.
00:46No, I think the other week, the Republic Act 12316 granting the executive emergency powers to temporarily suspend or reduce
00:58excise taxes on petroleum products,
01:02which was actually a proposal combined by both the Senate and also the House, which took immediately upon publication.
01:11If you were in Congress at that time, is this a move that you would also support?
01:24I think, Kong, we cannot...
01:27Kong, okay, Kong, yes, yes.
01:29Welcome back, Kong.
01:32Glad to be back.
01:35It's not only just excise tax that I would seek to remove, but also value-added tax because it will
01:41just keep getting higher and higher.
01:43We must do everything we can in order to decrease the prices of fuel as much as possible.
01:50Okay.
01:50So my question actually is, because it's already been signed into an executive order so far on the part on
01:58the excise tax,
01:59it's not yet being implemented, what do you think is the reason why it's not yet implementing?
02:06Nothing has been reduced or suspended as we speak?
02:10The problem here is not just removing excise tax, but putting it back once the situation has solved itself,
02:22or once a ceasefire or an end to the war is, once we reach that point.
02:32So they're afraid that if they remove the excise tax, it's that the people would enjoy it too much,
02:38that they would face massive backlash upon adding the excise tax again.
02:43So I think from their perspective, they're just thinking that there's a possibility that the war might end soon,
02:49and that the removal of excise tax would be unnecessary by then.
02:53So that's...
02:54That's far too optimistic and far too assuming that a positive outcome would happen for a nation,
03:01and it's not preparing for the possible escalation or the possible worsening of the war and the fuel crisis.
03:06Yeah, because I would have to agree on that statement,
03:11because while we are hopeful that the war would soon end with a settlement,
03:18given the 48 hours ultimatum,
03:21but in the way I see it, it doesn't look like it's going to end next week.
03:26So it looks like this is going to continue.
03:31It looks like it will worsen.
03:33Yeah. Now, the other thing also is you mentioned that you're both for the excise tax,
03:38which at least it's already now on the executive branch prerogative,
03:43how to implement this, because it's already been signed into an executive order.
03:47But let's talk about the value-added tax also, which you mentioned.
03:51And then I think that was two days ago,
03:55Senator Panfilo Lakson actually said that if we remove the value-added tax,
04:00it would impact into a loss of 320 billion pesos on the government's revenue.
04:09So what are your thoughts also about this one?
04:12The problem is Senator Lakson is viewing it only as how it would affect the government
04:20rather than how it would affect our citizens.
04:21Because if we were to only prioritize the government income
04:25while allowing our citizens to lose their income,
04:28then in the long term, we're actually going to lose far more than that.
04:31Because the more you put people into,
04:34the more financial burdens you bring upon the people,
04:37the more government programs,
04:40government welfare programs they would need in the future.
04:46Yes, if they're not willing to sustain,
04:50to accept a loss of government income,
04:52but they're willing to accept a loss of income
04:55for public transportation sectors, for our farmers,
04:58for those immediately affected by the war in the Middle East.
05:01And that's going to be a problem
05:03because that in and of itself,
05:05the philosophy of that is that
05:07the people would suffer more than the government.
05:10When should it be the other way around?
05:11The government should be at once shielding
05:14and taking the damage for the people from these kinds of things.
05:19And yes, there are people agreeing to that, Kong,
05:23because if we are to combine reduction also
05:28or removal of excise tax
05:30and then plus reduction or removal of value-adding tax,
05:34then it lowers actually the cost of petroleum products
05:41but there are also other people, Kong,
05:43who would say that if we lower the value-added tax,
05:48the effect on the middle and lower income
05:52will just be minimum
05:53and it stands to benefit those on the higher income bracket.
05:57Can you also educate us about this?
06:01No, value-added tax is applicable to everyone.
06:04So it will affect everyone in the same level.
06:08And the one I'm proposing is the removal of value-added tax in fuel
06:14during the oil crisis and during the recovery afterwards.
06:18Correct.
06:18So this would mostly impact those who consume a lot of fuel
06:23or who use this fuel for their regular work,
06:27for their daily lives.
06:28And that would include mostly delivery drivers,
06:31it would include POV drivers,
06:33it would include people who use their vehicles
06:36on a regular basis.
06:39And that's mostly the middle income class,
06:42middle and lower income class
06:43rather than the higher income classes.
06:46And I noticed also that you reposted an article
06:51which also presented the proposal
06:57of Congressman Leandro Levis there.
06:59So his proposal is not necessarily
07:02to remove value-added tax,
07:03but also just to reduce it from 12% to 10%.
07:07What are your thoughts also about this, Kong?
07:10I think the 12% to 10% is too low of a margin.
07:15Too low of a margin that it won't be noticeable,
07:19especially in the aspects of the fuel crisis right now,
07:22where if you're moving 2% of the added 12% of,
07:27say, 170 pesos,
07:28that's only around 3 pesos and 40 centavos.
07:36So that's a very, very inconsequential amount.
07:40And the problem with value-added tax,
07:42it's a percentage rate.
07:44So the more fuel increases,
07:45the more value-added tax will also increase.
07:49So yes, I support any and all measures
07:52to reduce and remove value-added taxation.
07:55But ultimately, we have to take more drastic measures
07:58as the situation develops.
08:00And I think we have to be more prepared
08:02for a worse situation,
08:04especially considering the history of the Middle East.
08:07This is not a region that is facing very rare,
08:14very...
08:16It's not a region that seldomly sees
08:18these types of conflicts.
08:19It's a very difficult position there
08:26to assume that there will be lasting peace
08:28because this type of issue
08:29could happen at any time
08:31and we must always be prepared
08:32for these types of conflicts to arise.
08:35And I recall, no,
08:37at least when the pandemic broke in 2020,
08:42I mean, I was part of those people
08:44who thought that it will just last for two months,
08:46but eventually it lasted for even over two years.
08:50So I would agree that in a case like this,
08:53it's important for us to plan for the worst
08:55while we are hoping for the best.
08:59Now, there are also other congressmen
09:02who are pushing instead of the value-added tax,
09:05which would still impact,
09:06including the wealthy ones,
09:09what they are also proposing
09:11is just targeted subsidies
09:13for middle and lower income brackets.
09:16Do you think this one is a better proposition
09:19or removing the value-added tax across the board
09:23is the better one,
09:24at least in your opinion?
09:26Well, what specific subsidies did they say?
09:29I have not read their exact proposal.
09:32So they were actually referring to specific amounts
09:36that will also be released
09:39for middle and lower income brackets.
09:43And then some of the schools of thought
09:45that were floated is, for example,
09:47those on the transportation business,
09:50especially the jeepney drivers
09:52and the cab operators themselves.
09:55And then there were also possibilities
10:01that are floated also with those in the food business
10:05because they're also impacted
10:06by the logistics cost of transporting the food
10:11or the ingredients that make the food
10:14from point A to point B.
10:16But correct me if I'm wrong,
10:18I've also heard certain experts
10:20who are actually saying
10:21that the problem sometimes with providing subsidies,
10:24it's because it would also require
10:26an accurate database
10:28for the government to actually point
10:31that these are the right target of people
10:34that they would put subsidies.
10:36Although it's a good idea in my opinion
10:38because it's targeted towards the middle
10:41and the lower income brackets
10:43who are more impacted than this
10:45compared to the higher income brackets.
10:49But what's the database or the basis also
10:52in which the government identifies the beneficiaries?
10:57So what are your thoughts about this also, Kong?
11:00Yes, in terms of beneficiaries' identification,
11:04it won't be extremely difficult,
11:06but it's a very large scope,
11:09especially if you're considering just BUB drivers.
11:12There's over a million of those here.
11:14Just in Dasma alone,
11:16we have over 6,500 registered tricycle franchises.
11:24And when you add the jeeps there
11:27and also other affected sectors
11:28such as public transport,
11:30such as delivery riders,
11:35then targeted subsidies would be,
11:40it's something that we have to study first.
11:42And then the other apprehension also
11:45about certain people
11:46is because of our allergy,
11:51when it comes to corruption,
11:53subsidies also tend to also breed
12:01loss of the money
12:03that's supposedly intended for beneficiaries.
12:07Is this something that you also have in mind, Kong?
12:11Yes, that's also a possibility.
12:15But in terms of legislation,
12:18we try to make the assumption
12:20that not a significant amount of money
12:24would be lost to corruption.
12:25We should also be prepared for that.
12:27Now the other one is,
12:29now let's move on to the current impeachment proceeding
12:33of the vice president
12:35because the people are also generally divided on this one.
12:39Some people thought that there should have been just a ceasefire for now.
12:44And then all hands on deck
12:46approach the Middle East crisis
12:49as a unified country rather than a divided one.
12:53And then there's also another major school of thought
12:56that actually says that
12:57the constitution is not suspended.
12:59It cannot wait.
13:00So what are your thoughts also
13:01about these two schools of thoughts?
13:05The schools of thoughts?
13:06Well, I would be siding with the one
13:09with the constitution
13:11because while practically,
13:14while in practical terms,
13:17in more realistic terms,
13:18we should really not be doing this
13:20during a time of crisis.
13:21It is still true
13:23that the constitution does not wait.
13:25But the problem here is that
13:27this impeachment case
13:28is practically exactly the same
13:31as the one in 2025,
13:32the one we saw last year
13:33and that didn't lead anywhere.
13:35So we can assume that this would also
13:37lead to the same result.
13:38And if we're already aware that
13:41if we're already aware that
13:43this impeachment will not be going anywhere,
13:45then ultimately,
13:46it's just a waste of resources.
13:47It's a waste of our government's time and money
13:49because it's exactly the same
13:51as the 2025 impeachment.
13:54And then there's also a wide debate
13:57about terminologies that are used,
13:59that like the ongoing proceedings
14:03is already like a minute trial.
14:07In your opinion, Kong Kiko,
14:11do you also see this
14:12as already a minute trial,
14:15which is already a trial,
14:17which should have been done in the Senate
14:19and not in Congress?
14:24I don't think Congress knows exactly
14:29what it's doing right now.
14:32And I think that the congressmen
14:33have all very different goals
14:35that they would like to accomplish
14:37for the minute trial.
14:39And that's why it's becoming
14:40such a messy situation.
14:42And also during the time
14:43when they scheduled the minute trial,
14:44because it's not something
14:46that they just immediately say
14:48that this is the schedule
14:51and we're going to go through with it.
14:52It's something that they scheduled weeks,
14:53maybe even a month beforehand.
14:55They could not predict
14:57the current situation
14:57that we would be facing now.
15:01So ultimately,
15:02it would just be,
15:05they're just forced
15:07to actually just go through with this
15:09because they're already
15:10in the situation
15:11where they have no choice
15:12but to proceed with the trial,
15:15but to proceed
15:16with the impeachment proceedings.
15:17In your view,
15:19because I think
15:21we are already
15:22in this situation,
15:24what I'm saying is
15:24the impeachment has been filed
15:26and then the
15:28the minute trial,
15:29quote-unquote,
15:30is already ongoing.
15:31What are your thoughts
15:32and suggestions
15:33on how we can move
15:37forward with the impeachment
15:39ensuring that this remains
15:41fair and evidence-based?
15:45Well,
15:49assuming that it would be,
15:50it's unlikely
15:52that it would be fair
15:53because there's still
15:55very, very notable
15:57political interests here,
15:58especially with the
15:58upcoming 2028 elections.
16:00So we should not really
16:02assume fairness
16:02within this impeachment trial.
16:04So we just,
16:06it will probably,
16:07it will most likely end
16:09in,
16:11it will most likely end
16:13with nothing actually happening
16:14similar to what happened
16:15last year.
16:16And then hopefully
16:17we can start focusing
16:18on the current issues
16:20we face as a nation
16:21at hand.
16:21But right now,
16:23this is just serving
16:24as a distraction,
16:25so we need to
16:25waste public resources.
16:27But ultimately,
16:29I don't see this
16:29going anywhere.
16:31Now,
16:31assuming, Kong,
16:32that this is
16:33not going anywhere
16:35because the other one
16:36is assuming
16:36that it's going
16:38to move forward
16:39and how can we
16:40ensure that it remains
16:41fair?
16:42Now,
16:42on the flip side,
16:43assuming also
16:44that it is not
16:45going to
16:47move further,
16:49what are also
16:50the precedents
16:52that you would
16:54anticipate
16:54as a consequence
16:56of it
16:56not moving further?
16:58The long-term precedents
17:00or consequences?
17:02The consequences
17:04of it not moving further.
17:05Yes.
17:06That's on the other side
17:07also.
17:10Well,
17:11yes,
17:12Congress
17:12are specifically
17:13the ones
17:13who are heavily invested
17:14in the Marcos
17:15administration
17:16right now.
17:17The congressmen
17:18would have,
17:19they're very interested
17:20in having
17:21this impeachment
17:23lead to the removal
17:25of the vice president
17:25because they're
17:26future political careers
17:28are at risk
17:29if
17:30Sarah Duterte
17:31becomes president.
17:32But the fact
17:33is that
17:34these are very,
17:35they're not actually
17:36a lot of congressmen.
17:37They're very,
17:38there's a large majority,
17:40but there are very few
17:41vocal anti-Duterte
17:42within the majority.
17:44The very few
17:45pro-Marcos,
17:46they're the ones
17:46who are
17:47specifically
17:48very
17:49interested
17:50in the results
17:51of this.
17:51but for the rest
17:53of the congressmen,
17:54they would,
17:55they act
17:56in a way
17:57that would
17:57benefit them
17:58most.
17:58And they're also
17:59considering
17:59the possibility
18:00of,
18:01they're also
18:02considering
18:02their chances
18:03of re-election
18:04in 2028
18:05and the possibility
18:07of working
18:07with
18:09Duterte
18:09administration.
18:11So,
18:12regarding interests
18:13here,
18:14there are actually
18:15only a very few
18:16congressmen
18:17that are
18:17too heavily invested
18:18that they could
18:19leave.
18:19There are still
18:20plenty of
18:21opportunities
18:21for other
18:22congressmen
18:22to switch
18:23teams
18:23and to switch
18:24sides,
18:24especially with
18:25upcoming
18:252020 elections,
18:27which is what
18:27I believe
18:28we'll be seeing
18:28in the next
18:31few months
18:31or within
18:33the next year.
18:34And as we
18:36speak,
18:36the vice
18:37president remains,
18:39if we base it
18:39on the survey,
18:40the vice
18:41president remains
18:42to be the
18:43front runner
18:44among the
18:46possible
18:47presidential
18:48come
18:492028.
18:50But I've
18:51also heard
18:52certain opinions
18:53also from
18:53experts,
18:54and I'm
18:54curious also
18:55what are
18:55your thoughts
18:56about this,
18:57that the
18:58difference
18:58between the
18:59Congress
18:59and the
19:00Senate,
19:00of course,
19:01because the
19:01Senate is
19:02elected
19:02nationally,
19:03so the
19:04ties between
19:06the front
19:07runner and
19:08the senators
19:09is stronger
19:10compared to
19:12the tie
19:13between the
19:14front runner
19:15and the
19:15congressman.
19:16And the
19:16reason for
19:16that is
19:17because
19:17congressmen
19:18are actually
19:19elected
19:20locally.
19:21So what's
19:22more important
19:23is their
19:23relationship
19:24with their
19:25constituents
19:26rather than
19:27their relationship
19:28with the
19:28front runner.
19:29What are
19:29your thoughts
19:30also about
19:30this?
19:33yes, in a
19:34way, but
19:35at the same
19:36time, national
19:37politics also
19:38reflects upon
19:40the
19:41accumulated
19:43desire of
19:44local
19:44politics,
19:45which is
19:45how the
19:46total votes
19:47are.
19:48So while
19:49there are
19:49differences
19:49per region,
19:50per district,
19:52it still
19:54reflects the
19:55total views of
19:57the Filipino
19:57people as a
19:58whole.
19:58So it's
19:59not exactly
19:59a large
20:00gap, but
20:00there is a
20:02notable
20:03difference between
20:04Senate elections
20:05and district
20:06elections that
20:07we could see
20:08and why it's
20:10more prevalent
20:11for the
20:11Senate to
20:12be supportive
20:13of the
20:14front runner.
20:15And then
20:16just to
20:18go already
20:20on the
20:20closing part
20:21of this
20:22conversation,
20:23Kong,
20:24so there
20:25are people
20:25who are
20:26calling for
20:26accountability
20:27and there
20:28are also
20:29people saying
20:30that the
20:30timing and
20:31the impact
20:32is not
20:32right as
20:34of the
20:35moment.
20:35So how
20:36do you
20:36think should
20:37the public,
20:37people like
20:38me, should
20:39weigh this
20:40too?
20:43Well, firstly,
20:44we have to
20:45prioritize
20:45immediate
20:46interest in
20:47that we
20:48cannot, the
20:50impeachment can
20:51be done
20:52any time
20:53prior to the
20:53elections.
20:53It could be
20:54done next
20:54year, it
20:55could be
20:55done in a
20:55few months,
20:56but the
20:57oil crisis
20:59that we're
20:59facing now
21:00is a very
21:00imminent threat
21:01and it's
21:02not just
21:03an imminent
21:06threat, but
21:07it has the
21:07possibility of
21:08escalation,
21:09which is
21:10that if
21:10it's not
21:11immediately
21:11resolved or
21:12immediately, if
21:13a solution is
21:14not immediately
21:14made, it
21:15will continue
21:16getting worse
21:16and worse.
21:17Once we lose
21:17the public
21:17transportation
21:18sector, that
21:19will start
21:20negatively affecting
21:21multiple sectors
21:22such as
21:22education.
21:23Plenty of
21:23students use
21:23public
21:24transportation
21:24in order to
21:26reach their
21:26schools.
21:27It will
21:28affect a
21:29lot of
21:30the private
21:31businesses
21:34where their
21:35workers are
21:36primarily
21:37commuters.
21:39the issue
21:40here would
21:41be that
21:41the most
21:43imminent threat
21:43is the one
21:44that we
21:44should be
21:45prioritizing
21:46right now.
21:47And then
21:48finally,
21:48sorry, that
21:49would have
21:49been my
21:49last question,
21:50but I
21:50just remembered
21:51also one
21:54controversial
21:54statement that
21:55was made,
21:56I think,
21:56last night
21:57when an
21:58expert actually
21:58said that
21:59the front
22:00runner,
22:00and I'm
22:00referring to
22:01the vice
22:01president,
22:02is actually
22:02beatable,
22:03even in a
22:04three-way
22:05fight.
22:05what are
22:06your thoughts
22:07about this
22:08projection?
22:10I mean,
22:10everyone is
22:11beatable,
22:11that's why
22:12we have
22:12to,
22:13well,
22:13from my
22:14side,
22:14that's why
22:15I have to
22:15work to
22:16campaign hard
22:17for vice
22:17president
22:18Duterte,
22:19and that's
22:19why we
22:20are trying
22:21to form
22:23more alliances
22:24to create
22:24a stronger
22:25party for
22:26the Duterte
22:26slate in
22:272028.
22:28And then
22:29last,
22:30sorry,
22:30I remembered,
22:30and this
22:31will be the
22:31last promise,
22:32there was
22:32also a
22:35move already
22:36about filing
22:39a protest
22:40through the
22:41Supreme Court
22:42about the
22:43constitutionality
22:44of the
22:45whole process,
22:46and I
22:47know that
22:48the team
22:49of the
22:49vice
22:50president
22:50denied
22:51involvement
22:52of this.
22:52They actually
22:53said that
22:54it's a
22:54separate group
22:55of people
22:56who actually
22:56pursued this,
22:57and they
22:58are not
22:59even talking
23:00to each
23:01other.
23:01Do you
23:02think this
23:02will move
23:03forward in
23:04the Supreme
23:05Court?
23:07Possibly,
23:08but it
23:08would depend
23:09on their
23:09interpretation
23:10because I
23:10did not
23:10see what
23:13the contents
23:14of their
23:15filed,
23:15what the
23:16contents of
23:17what they
23:17filed in
23:18the Supreme
23:18Court was.
23:19So I
23:20can't really
23:20say for
23:21sure what
23:21it would
23:22result in,
23:22but there
23:23are definitely
23:23groups
23:25outside of
23:26Vice
23:27President
23:27Duterte's
23:28influence
23:28that is
23:30also
23:31interested
23:31in
23:34seeing
23:35that the
23:35impeachment
23:36case does
23:36not go
23:37forward and
23:38that it
23:39is against
23:40the best
23:42interests of
23:43their groups
23:44that the
23:45impeachment
23:46would be
23:46prioritized by
23:47Congress.
23:49Thank you
23:50very much
23:51Congressman
23:52Kiko
23:53because you're
23:54still making
23:54time.
23:55This is your
23:55second time
23:56in Beyond
23:56the Headlines
23:57and thank you
23:58for sharing
23:58your time
23:58and your
23:59insights
23:59with us.
24:02Okay,
24:03is it okay?
24:03Yes.
24:05Okay,
24:05meow,
24:05meow.
24:06Meow,
24:06meow,
24:06yeah.
24:08Meow,
24:09meow,
24:10meow,
24:11meow,
24:12meow.
24:14Okay,
24:15bye-bye.
24:16Bye-bye.
24:18So that
24:19was
24:19Congressman
24:20Kiko
24:21Barzaga
24:22and we
24:23will be
24:23hearing also
24:24about the
24:24status of
24:25his impeachment
24:26once the
24:27Congress is
24:28done with
24:28its recess
24:29because it
24:29was announced
24:30on February
24:304.
24:31There was
24:31a 60-day
24:33suspension.
24:34So we
24:34would be
24:35hearing more
24:35on the
24:35status of
24:36that as
24:37Congress
24:37resumes.
24:38So now
24:39we have
24:40a bonus
24:41conversation
24:42also this
24:42afternoon
24:43because we
24:44have on
24:45the phone
24:46Vice
24:47Governor
24:47Glenn
24:48Soko
24:48who will
24:49also
24:50give his
24:51update
24:51also to
24:52the
24:53Cebuanos
24:54regarding
24:54yesterday's
24:55earthquake
24:56and then
24:57he will
24:58be followed
24:59the update
25:00also will be
25:00followed by
25:01provincial
25:02board member
25:03William Moore
25:04and he
25:05will also
25:06articulate
25:06about
25:07the
25:09suspension
25:10of
25:11tax
25:13disputes
25:14So let's
25:15start with
25:15the earthquake
25:17first and
25:17then we
25:18go to
25:18the
25:19tax
25:20issue
25:21afterwards
25:22So on
25:22the phone
25:22is
25:23Vice
25:23Governor
25:24Glenn
25:24Soko
25:28Oh
25:29Oh
25:29no
25:31Ah
25:36Okay
25:36Sige
25:37The phone
25:37is still
25:38ringing
25:38So
25:39before we
25:40move
25:40into
25:40that
25:40then
25:41I'll
25:41just
25:41have
25:42a bit
25:42of
25:43a
25:43conversation
25:44also
25:44with you
25:45about
25:45the
25:45call
25:46that
25:46I mean
25:47the
25:47interview
25:48that
25:48transpired
25:49with
25:49Congressman
25:49Kiko
25:50Barzaga
25:51and please
25:51feel free
25:52also to
25:52share
25:53your
25:53thoughts
25:53although
25:53I could
25:54not see
25:54your
25:55thoughts
25:55on screen
25:56but we
25:56do have
25:56people
25:57here in
25:57the
25:57studio
25:57who
25:58would
25:58also
25:59monitor
25:59your
26:00messages
26:00or your
26:01inputs
26:01so that
26:02I would
26:02also be
26:03able to
26:03react
26:04or comment
26:05on them
26:05appropriately
26:06but
26:08I'll
26:09start with
26:10the
26:10situation
26:11because
26:12it's
26:12already
26:12Tuesday
26:12and
26:13I was
26:14part
26:14of
26:15the
26:15general
26:16public
26:16who
26:17went to
26:17the
26:17gas
26:18station
26:18before
26:186
26:19a.m.
26:19and I
26:20was
26:20told by
26:20the
26:20attendants
26:21because
26:23my
26:23car
26:24uses
26:24diesel
26:25at
26:26that
26:27time
26:27so this
26:27was
26:28about
26:281.30
26:28in the
26:29morning
26:29the
26:30price
26:30was
26:31at
26:31133
26:32and
26:33it
26:33was
26:33according
26:33to
26:34the
26:34attendant
26:35it
26:35was
26:36already
26:36a
26:36slight
26:36reduction
26:37of
26:37135
26:38as
26:39of
26:3910
26:39p.m.
26:40night
26:40so there
26:40was
26:40a
26:41decrease
26:43of
26:432
26:44pesos
26:45133
26:45at
26:46around
26:461.30
26:47a.m.
26:47but he
26:48did
26:48tell me
26:49that
26:49by
26:496
26:50a.m.
26:50it
26:51could
26:51go
26:51to
26:52as
26:52high
26:52as
26:52155
26:54per
26:54liter
26:54so we
26:55can see
26:56that the
26:56gas prices
26:57are really
26:59increasing
26:59and we
27:00know that
27:01fuel is
27:02an essential
27:03ingredient
27:04in our
27:05economy
27:06in the
27:08economy
27:08in the
27:09land
27:10labor
27:10capital
27:11and
27:11eventually
27:12there's
27:12fuel
27:13and
27:14then
27:14eventually
27:14there's
27:15energy
27:15so it's
27:16one of
27:16the
27:16essential
27:17ingredients
27:19or factors
27:19for an
27:20economy
27:20to run
27:21so if
27:22the fuel
27:22prices
27:23will continue
27:23to
27:24increase
27:24then it
27:25will have
27:26a subsequent
27:27impact
27:28on
27:28logistics
27:29and then
27:30if there's
27:30an impact
27:31on logistics
27:32then it
27:32could also
27:33impact the
27:34prices of
27:35goods that
27:35are being
27:36transported from
27:37points A
27:37to B
27:38so there
27:39are possible
27:40corresponding
27:41increases
27:42also in
27:43food
27:44and at least
27:46here for
27:46Cebu
27:47and I'm
27:48referring to
27:49Cebu province
27:50in general
27:53retailers
27:54have actually
27:54committed that
27:55there are
27:56no price
27:56increase
27:58within this
27:59period
27:59until
28:00about
28:01April 15
28:02and then
28:04they will
28:05make
28:05a different
28:07pronouncement
28:08after then
28:08so at least
28:09there's no
28:10need for us
28:11to panic
28:12because there's
28:13enough supply
28:14in Cebu
28:15province
28:15and then
28:16there is a
28:17commitment
28:17that there
28:18is no
28:20price increase
28:21also at least
28:22until April
28:2315
28:23there's also
28:24an assurance
28:25that there is
28:26no need for
28:26us to worry
28:27about rice
28:28because there's
28:29also enough
28:30supply
28:31so at
28:33this time
28:34I think it's
28:35also important
28:36for us to
28:36help one
28:37another
28:38and instead
28:39of just
28:39focusing on
28:40hoarding
28:41goods
28:41that would
28:42alter the
28:44supply chain
28:44cycle
28:45so that will
28:46impact also
28:47the current
28:48level of
28:48inventory
28:49so as long
28:50as we are
28:50already
28:51assured
28:51that there's
28:52enough
28:52food
28:53for everyone
28:54there is
28:55no need
28:55for us
28:55to actually
28:56do
28:56panic
28:57buying
28:57so now
28:58I was about
29:00to continue
29:00with my
29:01comment also
29:02about the
29:02urgency
29:03of the
29:03current
29:04situation
29:05with respect
29:06also to
29:06the impeachment
29:07but now
29:07we have
29:08already
29:08the vice
29:09governor
29:09Glenn Soko
29:11on the phone
29:12and he will
29:13give his
29:13update also
29:14about the
29:15earthquake
29:16that hit
29:17Bogo
29:17as the
29:18epicenter
29:19yesterday
29:20afternoon
29:21good
29:22afternoon
29:22vice
29:23governor
29:23Glenn
29:25mayong
29:26hapon
29:26DJ
29:27and good
29:28afternoon
29:28to all
29:28your
29:28listeners
29:29and viewers
29:30yes
29:31mayong
29:32hapon
29:32vice
29:33governor
29:34Glenn
29:34so can
29:35you also
29:36walk us
29:36through about
29:37yesterday
29:38and the
29:39status
29:39now
29:40as far as
29:41the province
29:41of Cebu
29:42is concerned
29:44I'll
29:45just go
29:46straight
29:46to the
29:47general
29:51situation
29:52or report
29:52DJ
29:53as far as
29:54the province
29:55is concerned
29:55the
29:57situation
29:58in the
29:59province
29:59of Cebu
30:00is stable
30:02and
30:03there is
30:04no
30:05reported
30:07major
30:08damage
30:09to property
30:10no loss
30:12of lives
30:12calories
30:14although
30:15there were
30:16minor injuries
30:17reported
30:18in the
30:19city of
30:20Bogo
30:20but everything
30:22is under
30:22control
30:23and
30:23currently
30:24our local
30:25authorities
30:26and including
30:27the provincial
30:28government
30:29continues to
30:29monitor
30:29the developments
30:30we are made
30:32to be aware
30:33that there are
30:35still aftershocks
30:36that happens
30:37every now and
30:38then
30:38but these
30:39are just
30:39minor
30:41shocks
30:42so nothing
30:42to worry
30:43about
30:43so
30:44yesterday
30:45the earthquake
30:46struck
30:47and we felt
30:48it about
30:483.30
30:49in the
30:50afternoon
30:50and immediately
30:50we have to
30:51vacate the
30:51buildings
30:52here in the
30:52capital
30:53compound
30:53and
30:54inspection
30:55has to be
30:56done
30:56first
30:57before we
30:57could
30:58go back
30:59to our
30:59offices
31:00so that
31:01was about
31:02it
31:02and immediately
31:03we contacted
31:04the different
31:05local government
31:05units
31:06and monitored
31:07the situation
31:07all throughout
31:08the province
31:08of Segu
31:09and then
31:11Vice
31:12Gog
31:12can you
31:13also
31:14already
31:14say
31:14that
31:15given
31:16the
31:16situation
31:18of the
31:19earthquake
31:19yesterday
31:20and the
31:21situation
31:21when the
31:22earthquake
31:23also struck
31:24Bogo
31:25and parts
31:27of the
31:27province
31:27last year
31:29comparing the
31:30two
31:30do you
31:31also
31:32think
31:33that
31:33with the
31:34incident
31:34yesterday
31:35preparedness
31:36and response
31:37are better
31:39compared to
31:40how it
31:40was
31:41last year
31:43well
31:44definitely
31:44there's a
31:46lot of
31:47changes
31:48and there's
31:49a big
31:50improvement
31:50to how
31:51we respond
31:51to the
31:52incidents
31:53however
31:54it's
31:55hard also
31:56to compare
31:57both incidents
31:58in terms
31:59of intensity
31:59because
32:00last year
32:02it was
32:026.9
32:03karon
32:04is only
32:055.1
32:06or some
32:07reported
32:075.4
32:08so the
32:09degree of
32:10damage
32:11and the
32:11degree of
32:12impact
32:15is different
32:16but
32:17one thing
32:18I could
32:19say
32:19is that
32:20even
32:24here in
32:25the city
32:25we feel
32:26that
32:26when the
32:27earthquake
32:27struck
32:27yesterday
32:28in Italy
32:29there was
32:30a little
32:30bit of
32:31panic
32:31last year
32:34and even
32:35I think
32:36in the
32:37northern part
32:37of Cebu
32:38Mausa
32:38they were
32:42shocked
32:43again
32:43again
32:43because
32:45they know
32:46that
32:47they had
32:48experience
32:48already
32:49having had
32:49a stronger
32:50earthquake
32:50last year
32:52and then
32:53vice
32:54because it
32:55also
32:56happened
32:56at a
32:57challenging
32:58time
32:58and
32:58referring
32:59to
32:59the
33:00economic
33:01impact
33:03of the
33:05Middle East
33:06tension
33:07what would be
33:07your message
33:08also to
33:09the Cebuanos
33:10to remain
33:10calm and
33:11grounded
33:11in such
33:12a challenging
33:13time
33:13like this
33:14plus
33:14the earthquake
33:16incident
33:16and the
33:17corresponding
33:17aftershocks
33:19yes
33:20I really
33:21feel
33:22that
33:23it's a
33:24very
33:28unfortunate
33:29time
33:29we are
33:30facing
33:30this crisis
33:31of
33:31rising
33:32costs
33:33however
33:34we have
33:36always been
33:37known to
33:37be resilient
33:38and we
33:39continue to
33:40be resilient
33:41we continue
33:42to be
33:42strong
33:42and we
33:44always find
33:44ways on
33:45how to
33:45adapt
33:46to
33:47existing
33:48conditions
33:48so
33:49the earthquake
33:51was just
33:52an incident
33:55but I
33:56think the
33:57bigger
33:59challenge
34:00right now
34:00is really
34:01to deal
34:01with the
34:02crisis
34:03in relation
34:04to the
34:05Middle East
34:05conflict
34:07and I've
34:08always said
34:08to the
34:09people
34:09that we
34:10have to
34:10brace
34:10ourselves
34:11and we
34:13have to
34:13adjust
34:14the way
34:14we live
34:16it's not
34:17just about
34:18government
34:20giving
34:22ayuda
34:23or support
34:24but also
34:27individually
34:27as a
34:29family
34:29we have
34:29to make
34:29adjustments
34:33thank you
34:34very much
34:34vice
34:35governor
34:36glen
34:36soko
34:36for making
34:37time for
34:38this
34:38it's a
34:38last minute
34:39conversation
34:39but it's
34:40also an
34:40important
34:41one
34:59thank you
35:00is on
35:01massive
35:02proposed
35:02tax
35:03break
35:04for a
35:05major
35:05querying
35:06company
35:06which
35:07hits
35:08the
35:08roadblock
35:09in
35:10Cebu
35:11so if I
35:12am to
35:12then refresh
35:14you through
35:14the report
35:15that was
35:16written by
35:17Claudine Flores
35:18of Sunstar
35:19it actually
35:21said that
35:22on Monday
35:22so that's
35:23yesterday
35:24the provincial
35:24board
35:25returned
35:26a proposed
35:27211.56
35:31million
35:32pesos
35:33compromise
35:33agreement
35:34with
35:35Apoland
35:35and
35:36Quarry
35:36Corporation
35:37back to
35:38the
35:39executive
35:40department
35:41and the
35:41board is
35:42demanding a
35:43stricter
35:44legal and
35:45financial
35:45review
35:46before any
35:48deal
35:49involving
35:50public
35:51funds
35:51gets
35:52the green
35:53light
35:54and the
35:56sheer size
35:57of the
35:57discount
35:58raised
35:59eyebrows
35:59during the
36:00board's
36:01regular
36:01session
36:02because
36:04records
36:04actually
36:05show that
36:05the
36:06provincial
36:06government
36:07originally
36:08assessed
36:09Apple
36:10a staggering
36:121.218
36:15630
36:16650
36:17billion
36:19in taxes
36:20monitoring
36:20fees
36:21environmental
36:22enhancement
36:23fees
36:23and
36:24surcharge
36:25charges
36:25from
36:262009
36:27to
36:282025
36:30however
36:31negotiations
36:32that was
36:33led by
36:34the
36:34executive
36:34department
36:35which
36:36was
36:36also
36:37released
36:38by
36:39the
36:40office
36:41of the
36:41provincial
36:41governor
36:42resulted
36:43in a
36:43proposed
36:44settlement
36:44of
36:45just
36:46211
36:48million
36:49so
36:49this
36:50is
36:50from
36:501.2
36:52billion
36:53to
36:54just
36:54211
36:56million
36:57so
36:57this
36:57is
36:58a
36:58massive
36:5882%
37:00reduction
37:01which
37:02is
37:03payable
37:04in a
37:05one-time
37:05lump sum
37:06so the
37:07drop
37:07was
37:07achieved
37:08by
37:08removing
37:09the
37:09tax
37:09on
37:10extraction
37:10recalculating
37:12monitoring
37:12fees
37:13and
37:13granting
37:14of
37:15an
37:1580%
37:16discount
37:17on
37:17surcharges
37:18and
37:18penalties
37:19that
37:19were
37:19incurred
37:20within
37:21the
37:21period
37:21of
37:212009
37:22to
37:232019
37:23so
37:24the
37:24provincial
37:24board
37:25actually
37:25blocked
37:26this
37:27move
37:29so
37:29on the
37:30phone
37:30is
37:31provincial
37:33board
37:33member
37:34William Moore
37:35and he
37:35will
37:36also
37:37give
37:37his
37:38thoughts
37:38on
37:39why
37:39this
37:40move
37:40was
37:41not
37:42approved
37:43by the
37:43provincial
37:44board
37:45so
37:45is
37:45he
37:45on
37:45the
37:45phone
37:46already
37:49ah
37:49so
37:49he
37:50is
37:50not
37:51on
37:52the
37:52phone
37:52so
37:52please
37:53stand
37:53by
37:54for
37:54our
37:54viewers
37:55because
37:55this
37:56is
37:56also
37:57another
37:58issue
37:58that
37:59also
37:59deserves
38:00us
38:01to be
38:02educated
38:02on
38:03and
38:04and
38:05and
38:05and
38:05and just
38:06to close
38:06this
38:07particular
38:07part
38:07and
38:08we
38:08would
38:08still
38:09be
38:09looking
38:09forward
38:10to
38:10hear
38:11the
38:11thoughts
38:11of
38:11provincial
38:12board
38:12governor
38:13villiamore
38:14member
38:14governor
38:15villiamore
38:15regarding
38:16this
38:16topic
38:17but
38:17the
38:17reason
38:18why
38:18this
38:18is
38:18an
38:19important
38:19conversation
38:20because
38:20aside
38:20from
38:21it
38:21having
38:22an
38:22impact
38:23on
38:24collection
38:24because
38:25this
38:26is
38:26like
38:26an
38:2682%
38:27discount
38:27but
38:28this
38:28is
38:28also
38:29a
38:29good
38:29exercise
38:30for
38:30us
38:31the
38:31general
38:31public
38:32to
38:32keep
38:32ourselves
38:33updated
38:34in
38:34events
38:35like
38:35this
38:35so
38:36that
38:36we
38:36would
38:36also
38:37be
38:37able
38:37to
38:38educate
38:38ourselves
38:39on
38:39the
38:39facts
38:40before
38:41we
38:41weigh
38:41in
38:42on
38:42the
38:42issue
38:43and
38:43we
38:44would
38:44also
38:44welcome
38:44the
38:45thoughts
38:45also
38:46of
38:46the
38:46executive
38:47branch
38:47of
38:48the
38:49province
38:49on
38:49Cebu
38:50for
38:50them
38:50to
38:50educate
38:51us
38:52why
38:53the
38:53move
38:53of
38:54an
38:5480%
38:55discount
38:55is
38:56actually
38:56a good
38:57one
38:57because
38:57in
38:58Sunstar
38:59and
38:59also
38:59here
39:00in
39:00Beyond
39:00the
39:00Headlines
39:00we
39:01would
39:01also
39:02like
39:02the
39:02general
39:02public
39:03to
39:03be
39:04able
39:04to
39:05see
39:06the
39:06two
39:06sides
39:07of
39:07the
39:07equation
39:07because
39:08that's
39:09a good
39:09exercise
39:10also
39:10of
39:11our
39:12mindfulness
39:12before
39:13we
39:14start
39:14weighing
39:14and
39:16sharing
39:16our
39:16opinion
39:17on
39:17thoughts
39:17on
39:18the
39:18subject
39:18it's
39:18good
39:19for
39:19us
39:19to
39:19be
39:19updated
39:20and
39:21to
39:21be
39:23knowledgeable
39:24on
39:25topics
39:26such as
39:26this
39:26one
39:27before
39:27we
39:28say
39:28we
39:28agree
39:28with
39:29the
39:29provincial
39:29board
39:30or
39:30we
39:30agree
39:31with
39:31the
39:31executive
39:32department
39:32through
39:32the
39:33provincial
39:33governor
39:34so
39:34I
39:34think
39:35that
39:35we
39:35don't
39:35have
39:36a
39:36provincial
39:37board
39:37member
39:37williamor
39:38but
39:38most
39:39likely
39:39we
39:39will
39:39be
39:39hearing
39:40from
39:40him
39:40in
39:41the
39:41coming
39:41days
39:41but
39:42thank
39:42you
39:43very
39:43much
39:43for
39:43joining
39:44us
39:44today
39:45tomorrow
39:46we
39:46will
39:47have
39:47an
39:47equally
39:48interesting
39:49discussion
39:50but
39:50this
39:50time
39:51more
39:51zeroed
39:52in
39:52on
39:52the
39:53economy
39:53we
39:54have
39:54professor
39:55Ronelo
39:56Balbieran
39:57of the
39:58University
39:58of Asia
39:59and the
40:00Pacific
40:00and he
40:01will
40:01walk us
40:02through
40:02also
40:02on
40:03the
40:03current
40:04state
40:04of the
40:04economy
40:05and how
40:06we can
40:07better
40:07move
40:07forward
40:08now
40:08as
40:09Cebu
40:09and
40:10as
40:10the
40:11Philippines
40:11so
40:12today
40:12we
40:12covered
40:13key
40:13issues
40:13from
40:14rising
40:14fuel
40:14costs
40:15and
40:15inflation
40:15to
40:16the
40:16global
40:17situation
40:17in the
40:18Middle
40:19East
40:19the
40:20broader
40:20question
40:20around
40:21governance
40:21and
40:21accountability
40:22as well
40:23as also
40:23the
40:25situation
40:26in the
40:26Bogo
40:27on the
40:28earthquake
40:28that
40:29transpired
40:29yesterday
40:30with its
40:30epicenter
40:31in the
40:31city
40:31of
40:32Bogo
40:32so
40:33I'm
40:33DJ
40:33Moises
40:34and
40:34this
40:35is
40:35Beyond
40:35the
40:35Headlines
40:36thank you
40:36for
40:36joining
40:37us
40:37this
40:37afternoon
40:38and
40:38see you
40:38again
40:39tomorrow
41:01you
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