Press statement of Sen. Loren Legarda

CORAL REEFS

Our government must give importance and priority to the protection of our coral reefs. They provide shelter to fish and other forms of marine life and prevent the erosion of shores, the home of our fishermen and tourist resorts. We should stop the destruction of the reefs from dynamite and cyanide fishing, and other destructive practices.

Coral reefs will be the center of attention in a conference of five nations forming the Coral Triangle which shelters 30 percent of the world's coral reefs, scheduled from May 13 to 15..The Philippines will be among the participants, which include Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.

This will be an opportunity for our country to obtain the cooperation and assistance of the international community in saving the coral reefs that protect the livelihood of millions of our country engaged in fishing and tourism.

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

The allies of the administration in the House of Representatives should cease and desist from pursuing their plot to convene a constituent assembly without the participation of the Senate. This move would undermine both the wordings and spirit of the Constitution that provides that the Congress, upon a vote of three-fourth of its members, may propose amendments to the Constitution. The Congress necessarily includes both the Senate and the House.

Aside from that, more than 60 percent of our people oppose the amendment of the Constitution especially on the eve of the crucial 2010 presidential and national elections. This would not only divert Congress's attention from more urgent problems such as the economic downturn and human rights violations, it would also allow the extension of the terms in power of certain officials, which the people are anxious to terminate.

I warn again that if this plot succeeds, that it might push our people to the end of their patience, and enkindle mass protests that would destabilize government at this critical juncture of our history.