Press Statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On Poll Automation

We should not water down the poll automation law even before or after it comes into effect. That might give the people the impression that some politicians are out to sabotage the law or to frustrate its intents for their own selfish purposes.

We must remember that the manual counting system of ballots is not only outdated, it is also fatally flawed and provides large opportunities for cheating in the casting, counting and canvassing of ballots. This has been proven in all past elections, notably in the 1949 elections that led to the Batangas uprising, the rigged plebiscites and elections under martial law, and the 2004 elections that stirred mass disaffection among the people and triggered sporadic efforts to overthrow and destabilize the government.

A hybrid election would institutionalize these insidious windows of opportunities of cheating in the poll automaton system. It is like implanting a diseased gene in a seemingly healthy organism thus condemning it to ultimate destruction and demise. If this is done in our electoral process, it could eventually undermine and fatally affect our democratic system. We must save democracy in our country.

On torture and murder of NPA leader's daughter

The vile torture and murder of Rebelyn Pitao, the 20-year-old daughter of NPA Commander Leoncio Pitao, in Davao del Norte is totally condemnable. If, as claimed by relatives of the victim, that she was kidnapped by suspected elements of the armed forces before she was found dead, then it is also senseless and counter-productive. She was a non-combatant and her only "crime" was being the daughter of a rebel.

It is sabotage of the government's official policy of dealing with the insurgency with a closed fist of law-enforcement and an open hand of conciliation. The murder would only serve as a further spur to the recruitment of more adherents to the rebels' cause because of disaffection with government policies, particularly its perceived constant violation of human rights.

The government of President Arroyo should spare no efforts in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this brutal crime. If they are members of the armed forces they should be subjected to an open military trial and punished according to law as an example to the political and military authorities that they must observe the rule of law, military discipline, the articles of war and human rights in their performance of their mission.

US President Obama has banned torture in the pursuit of anti-terrorism policies throughout the world. As a result, he has regained the respect of the world for his country and strengthened the anti-terrorism cause.

On Women's Rights

The rights of women in society, the workplace and the home, and the equality of genders, should be taught at all levels in our educational system so as to eradicate traces in our culture that would perpetuate discrimination and abuses against women. We should also conduct a public educational campaign on the laws protecting women's rights.

I therefore appeal to the Department of Education and to the Commission on Higher Education to craft a curriculum that would include as a formal subject matter the rights of women. This would enable our children in elementary, high school and college, especially the females, to bring to the home the idea of the sanctity and equality of women in the marriage partnership. This, I believe, would discourage domestic violence against women and children, which, I fear, continue to increase despite the numerous laws we have passed against violence in the home.

Historically our women have played leading roles in the advancement of our society. Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino or Tandang Sora, Princess Urduja and the Women of Malolos whom Rizal praised for educating their children despite discouragement by the authorities, are only a few of our heroines. We must promote pride in our women so as to make them stronger partners in nation-building.