Transcript: DTI Sec. Peter Favila can't say why ZTE deal was suspended

Executive privilege was the mantra that Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila invoked, when asked repeatedly why President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo suspended the ZTE contract. What follows is the transcript of Favila's interview with QTV's Balitanghali news anchor Raffy Tima. Q: Raffy Tima, QTV Balitanghali: Kailan at paano po sinabi ng Pangulong Arroyo ang suspension ng ZTE deal sa inyo? DTI Secretary Peter Favila: Sa amin po sa Gabinete kung ano po 'yung mga pinag-uusapan namin ng Pangulo ay executive privilege po 'yan. QTV: Maaari n'yo po bang idetalye, Secretary, sa amin kung bakit ito ipinasuspinde? Favila: Again, kung ano po yung direktiba sa akin ng Pangulo ay iniimplementa ko lang. Sabi niya isuspinde so kung ano man po yung reason behind that ay executive privilege po 'yan. QTV: Nakausap n'yo po ba yung mga opisyal ng ZTE bago itong desisyon na ito? Favila: Hindi po, hindi po ako nakikipag-usap sa ZTE. Ang akin pong mga kausap dito ay yuong mga opisyales po ng Chinese government bilang inyong kalihim ng trade and industry. Ganun din po kausap ko yung katuwang kong ministro sa Beijing. QTV: Bakit nagbago ang posisyon ni Pangulong Arroyo sa kontrata? Favila: Hindi ko na po masasagot yan. Ang masasabi ko lang po sa inyo executive privilege po lahat ito so salamat po. Press conference At a press conference with reporters in Mandaluyong City, Favila fielded the same questions from reporters, but was also stingy with details. What follow are excerpts from the exchange between reporters, Favila and Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera: Favila: We need probably more time to get people to understand how all these facilities, the processes. Inspite all the explanations given by the DOTC, still there are a number of sectors that probably needs further clarification…It is the best thing that we have to do now…There will be discussions Question: Is this because of the Senate investigation? Favila: I would not comment on that. I just received the directive from the President. We are just the implementing agency. And I came from the DOTC. We have appeared before the hearing and we will continue to appear for as long as they would like to have these hearings. Devanadera: The decision of the President as articulated by Secretary Favila is that the project is suspended. It’s the decision now of the President...after consultations… the call came from us. This decision is made by the President. With all these things, with the reality of what is happening now and as Secretary Favila said it is because of so many comments coming from different sectors but what is important is the President made the decision - GMANews.TV