We have our defense ready - Imee Marcos

Q & A: Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Romualdez Marcos is ubiquitous nowadays as she stumps all over the country.  Recently, she graced the Parade and Street Dancing Contest of Sual in Pangasinan to celebrate the coastal town's fiesta held recently at the Municipal Seaport.

Political columnist Mortz C. Ortigoza asked her the probable plunder case the government will file against her and her staff at the provincial government of Ilocos Norte after the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability of the House of Representatives recommend her and party to have violated the law on the tobacco excise tax’s shares as stated on Republic Act No. 7171, the government procurement’s reform act as seen on RA 9184 , Commission on Audit Memorandum Circular 97-002 , and others.

Interviewer with senatorial wannabe Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos whose No.13 rank at the latest Pulse Asia’s poll made her as a serious contender for the May 13, 2019 Senate election.

The interviewer inquires too to the governor, who is No. 13 in the latest Pulse Asia’s polls, her stance on the Commonwealth Act No. 146 or known as Public Service Acts that restricts the ownership of public utilities in the Philippines by foreigners that the present Senate procrastinated to act despite being passed into the third and final reading by the House of Representatives in October last year. EXCERPTS:

MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA (MCO): Do you think a probable plunder case to be recommended by a congressional committee on your P66 million purchased of multi-cabs in your province in violation of the Tobacco Excise Tax and others will hamper your senate function in case you win the 2019 poll?

IMEE MARCOS (IM): Well, I don’t think so. We have our defense ready at nakita naman kahit ano pa talagang maipapaliwanag, umabot sa tao ang lahat na ginagawa sa mga farmers natin (Everybody saw that we could explain it (P66 million purchase), the people also know how we help our farmers (in Ilocos Norte).

MCO: Are you familiar with the Public Service Acts?

IM: Hindi (No).

MCO: It’s about opening our country’s business atmosphere to 100% foreign ownership to draw more FDI or foreign direct investment that will generate more jobs to our people.

Na approved na ng House pero ang Senate has yet to approve it (The House of Representatives already approved it but the Senate has to approve it). When you become a senator will you vote for its approval?

IM: I am not familiar with that you call PSA. Ano iyong title (What is its title)?

MCO: Amendment of the 60%-40% business equity that favors the Filipino into 100%  that favors both Filipino and foreigner to own the business enterprise in the country.

IM: Kailangan na basahin ng maigi kasi importante na madepensahan rin ang mga Filipinos (We have to study it carefully because we have to protect the interest of the Filipinos).