Press Release
May 6, 2009

Press statements of Senator Loren Legarda

ON AFP LOYALTY

I appeal to the officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to remain loyal to our people and to our Constitution. The talk that the administration is manipulating the appointment of AFP chief of staff with an eye to the 2010 elections is alarming. This was triggered by the early retirement of former AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano and his appointment to an ambassadorial post.

I reiterate my faith in the patriotism and devotion of our armed forces to the Constitution which declares that the AFP "is the protector of the people and the State." I interpret this to mean that the AFP is mandated to defend the democratic process, which ensures the liberties of our people. This also means that the military personnel should not intervene in politics, except to vote, and it has the duty to preserve and defend the integrity of the electoral process.

The 2010 elections will be crucial to the survival of democracy in our country.

ON RICE PRODUCTION

The decision of the Philippine government to import more rice stocks than originally targeted proves that the program for rice production has failed. According to reports, the Philippines had signed a deal in January to buy 1.5 million tons of milled rice from Vietnam. But this is not enough so an additional 350,000 tons have been contracted.

The Philippines has become a perennial importer of rice. As a matter of fact, it is now known as the "world's biggest rice importer." This is a shame to our country which is constantly referred to by its leaders and prominent citizens as an "agricultural country". I underscore this sad state despite the fact that the headquarters of the International Rice Research Institute, which is held responsible for improving rice production worldwide, is even located in our country.

This means that something is wrong with our rice program, which is essential to our national security, because rice is a primary staple of our people. As chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, I will initiate an investigation into the failure of our rice program, and pound on our government to improve rice production with an eye to rice self-sufficiency.

ON ASEAN PACT

I welcome the move of the United States to accede to the non-aggression pact of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as stated by US Ambassador to ASEAN Scot Marciel. The US is a Pacific power, and its pledge to honor the non-aggression treaty of ASEAN will help ensure peace and stability in the region.

Some nations in the Asia-Pacific region are currently engaged in some territorial disputes that some fear could trigger a regional conflict. The most well-known of these powder kegs is the dispute over the Spratlys that involves the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Taiwan. All these countries have promised not to resort to force and to depend on peaceful negotiations in the settlement of the dispute. A US accession to the agreement will further bolster a peaceful settlement of the dispute.

News Latest News Feed