Senator Gregorio Honasan II on Monday said he is willing to take a bullet for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, his long-time boss when he was still in military service.
“Yes, it's force of habit. Nagsimula ako bilang aide de camp, naging security officer ako, magkasama kami sa mga sitwasyon kung saan nakataya yung buhay at kamatayan,” Honasan told GMA News TV's News To Go anchor Howie Severino during the program's In Depth segment.
Honasan served as aide de camp of Enrile from 1975 to 1979 when the latter was minister of National Defense. He also became chief security of the ministry from 1981 to 1987.
A member of the famous Class of 1971, Honasan was leader of the Reform the Armed Forces (later renamed Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa) which lauched several coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino in the 1980s.
Honasan was selected senator in 1995, 2001 and 2007.
Honasan was selected senator in 1995, 2001 and 2007.
n the same interview, Honasan said his relationship with Enrile lasted because they respect each other's views and stand on different issues and never tried to influence the other.
According to Honasan, Enrile seems hard to get along at first because he is strict, knows a lot being a lawyer, and had many experience. "But once you get to know him, you will never leave his side," he said.
The reelectionist lawmaker did not directly answer questions if he supported Enrile's uneven distribution of additional funds for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) to senators but said that it complied with the law and subject to accounting and auditing procedures.
“Lahat ito ay nasa prerogative at discretion ng Senate President. Hindi ito binibigay sa amin na nasa paper bag o plastic bag. Ito ay may request sa katapusan ng taon, savings, may papel dito ayon sa batas,” he said.
Asked if he thinks the move was fair, Honasan said it was something the whole Senate should answer, whether before the ethics committee or the Supreme Court, if it reaches that level.
“Kailangan ipaliwanag whatever COA says, whatever we think. The people must be faced squarely with an explanation para manumbalik yung sinasabing perception na nababawasan yung respesto at pagtingin ng taumbayan sa mga hinalal nila na senador,” he said.
He further said that the senators had nothing to do with the fund as it went to the Senate staff and personnel.
He said he did not ask other senators how much they received as he does not want other senators to question him. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News
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