Record of the Senate - Integrated Bar of the Philippines

TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012 63Mr. Roy. Your Honor, if I may.The Presiding Officer. Hindi ba? Hindi ba?Mr. Roy. Your Honor, if I may. Yes.The Presiding Officer. No, I am asking you as a lawyer.Mr. Roy. Yes, Your Honor.The Presiding Officer. Okay.Mr. Roy. If the omission is malicious and fraudulent.The Presiding Officer. No, there is no qualification in that sentence.Mr. Roy. Yes, Your Honor. Very well.The Presiding Officer. You are interpreting it. I am using it as literally as I could.Mr. Roy. Very well, Your Honor. We do not argue over what the law says. I just wish to pointout that the matter of the $10 million has never been raised in the proceedings and this is an extraneousmatter, that is why—The Presiding Officer. Correct.Mr. Roy. —I would like to be guided whether or not....The Presiding Officer. Wait a minute. Please respect this Court.Mr. Roy. Of course, Your Honor, always.The Presiding Officer. Well, you are not doing it because while this Chair is speaking, your voiceis very high.Mr. Roy. My apologies, Your Honor. I was just trying to make sure that I could be heardaudibly.The Presiding Officer. I can hear you very well. Saannak a tuleng. [Laughter]Mr. Roy. I apologize, Mr. President.The Presiding Officer. You understand. I know your grandfather was Ilocano.Mr. Roy. I apologize, Mr. President. I did not mean to raise my voice.The Presiding Officer. I would like to tell you frankly that any asset not included regardless ofits characterization, whether it is legally obtained or illegally obtained, is a function of the SALN.Mr. Roy. Yes, yes.The Presiding Officer. And it must be included.Mr. Roy. Yes, Mr. President.The Presiding Officer. So, if there is $10 million and it is proven to be there or one dollarand not included, then it is a function of this Court to interpret whether it constitutes a violation ofSection 17, first sentence of Article XI.