Press Release - Transcript of interpellation: Senator Risa Hontiveros during the Commission on Appointments hearing on Gen. Sevilla

Senator Risa Hontiveros (SRH): Magandang umaga pong muli, General Sevilla.

General Sevilla (GS): Maayong ugto, ma'am.

SRH: Maayung ugto pud. General, naalala niyo po yung executive session natin last week. The committee devoted a lot of time, a lot of energy para subukang i-clarify yung mga issues at subukang makapagbigay ng payo towards a resolution.Nabalitaan niyo naman po yung rekomendasyon ng committee specifically on the matter, dito rin po sa materials na ibinigay ng CA secretariat sa amin, na the good general, was also alleged to have been remiss in providing financial support to their minor children since 2017.

Ito pong nasa sworn opposition filed against him, you, good general, by your spouse, Tessa Reyes Sevilla, that he has been giving only 2,000 pesos a month. Natanggap niyo naman po yung payo, yung rekomendasyon ng committee tungkol dito?

GS: Yes, Your Honor. As a matter of fact, I immediately complied with the order of the chairman of this committee. Immediately after that, I sent my letter and I actually deposited half of the amount. And as a matter of fact, I also included or enclosed the receipt of my funds transfer, Your Honor.

SRH: Salamat kayo, General, but I'd just like to refresh your memory, sir, ang rekomendasyon po ng komite ay, kalahati ng sweldo niyo, just the base pay, excluding yung allowances niyo, excluding yung amount reflected in your SALN, excluding po yung investments niyo sa stocks.

Just the base pay, kalahati po noon bawat buwan sa inyong asawa at mga anak at yung tuition po ng dalawa ninyong anak taon-taon. And sinabi din po ng komite na posible namang pong i-formalize ito sa AFP sa pamamagitan ng tamang dokumento allowing the AFP to automatically send half of your base pay to your estranged wife every month. Ito po ba ang cinomply ninyo, sir?

GS: Your Honor, hindi po yun ang nakarating sa akin. I was just told to offer but if the committee so desires, I am willing to submit to that dahil alam ko nang po para sa mga anak ko. Agree po ako noon and I am willing to change the letter that I wrote immediately after this just to comply with that.

But honestly, Your Honor, I was not totally informed. I was not informed the amount.