Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

ON OIC STATEMENT ON TRIPOLI AGREEMENT

If the OIC seems to be getting impatient on the full implementation of the 1996 Tripoli Agreement, what more the people of Mindanao who are directly affected by the peace problem there.

But this accord must not be seen as a cure-all, more so since all concerned parties must be involved in the peace process, and not just the MNLF.

Likewise, the Philippines is a sovereign nation which must chart its own course, free from blatant interference and external pressures.

ON LOPEZES SELLING MERALCO

The entry of San Miguel and PLDT into Meralco should affirm the importance of power utilities as business ventures imbued with public interest.

Whoever ends up controlling Meralco will retain the company's mandate under its franchise and the EPIRA. That mandate is for Meralco to provide electricity to consumers within its captive market at the least cost to them.

Electric users in general clamor for lower power rates, especially during these hard times.

ON TV EXECS AND PNP AGREEING NOT TO PORTRAY INEPT COPS ON TV

This is most welcome to repair the damaged image of our cops. But if the so-called pulis patolas are portrayed on TV soaps, it is because there are real cops who do not do justice to the uniform.

Change must come first and a better image for our cops will come naturally.