Press Release
July 8, 2009

Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

ON BOMBINGS

The terrorist bombings in Iligan City, Jolo and Cotabato show that the government so far has failed to mark any success in its announced efforts to achieve peace in Mindanao. So far no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks that have claimed innocent lives. But the MILF and the Abu Sayaff are also suspects, while some people are pointing to the military.

Definitely, it is not only Mindanao that is hurting, but the entire Philippines. The billions of pesos we are spending in the Mindanao could have been used to its peaceful development. Valuable lives and property could be saved that would contribute to our prosperity. While the MILF and other armed groups share some blame, it is the government that has the most responsibility as the governor of the nation.

I urge that the government and the MILF should immediately enter into new negotiations for a permanent and just peace to further save innocent lives and to allow hundreds of thousands of families who have been displaced to return to their homes and lead normal lives.

ON VOTERS REGISTRATION

I appeal to the Comelec to write the registered voters who it believes may not be able to vote because of lack of biometrics. Twenty-five million voters in danger of being disenfranchised for no fault of their own constitute about 50 percent of the total number of voters expected to vote in the 2010 elections.

The Comelec must not be passive, relying merely on general information through the media, to contact voters who are in danger of losing their right to vote. Comelec must write to each and every registered voter needing biometrics to vote and see to it that these letters are delivered to the proper addressees.

The next elections are crucial because of the danger facing our democracy from its enemies within or without. The future of the nation also rests on the results of the elections

ON GOOD GOVERNANCE

It is highly deplorable that despite government protestations governance of the Philippines has worsened, according to a report of the World Economic Forum. According to the forum, quoting the Global Enabling Trade Report 2009, the Philippines was 100th among 121 countries in terms of "quality of governance."

The report also said that the "quality of governance as well as overarching regulatory and security environment impacting importers and exporters" dragged the Philippines down to 82nd in terms of openness in trade and investment." The Philippines trailed behind its Southeast Asian neighbors Malaysia (28th), Thailand (50th), Indonesia (62nd), and Singapore. It's also worse off than countries like Honduras, Nicaragua, and Zambia.

This goes to show that bad governance by the Arroyo administration has been hurting our economy by discouraging trade and investment, thus depriving our people of higher incomes and more employment, and deepening our poverty.

News Latest News Feed