Press statements of Senator Loren Legarda

On SC increasing party-list seats

This ruling by the Supreme Court increasing party-list representation in the House of Representatives is most welcome to the marginalized sectors of our society. They would now have a stronger voice in Congress to push for the very specific needs of their respective sectors, like the urban poor, transport groups, etc.

On furor over Nograles bill

The outcry over the attempt by some in the House of Representatives to take shortcuts in amending the Constitution is understandable. In fact, feel that this is one issue that can galvanize all sectors of Philippine society to stand up as one in protest.

The Constitution is the organic law of the land and no one should take a cavalier attitude in tampering with it. Amendments to the Constitution should be done under the clearly delineated manners prescribed for its revision.

The initial proposed amendment to allow foreigners the right to own land in the Philippines, allegedly to entice them to invest here, is a mere trial balloon. If it passes, I am certain that they would then introduce another amendment that would extend the term of this administration beyond 2010.

There's something sinister about all of these moves.

On SC affirming Oil Deregulation Law

With the Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of the Oil Deregulation Law and ruling that its soundness is beyond its jurisdiction to pass judgment on, it is now left to Congress to review this law for possible amendments.

Our people had been blaming this law for years now for the unabated rise in the prices of petroleum products, arguing that the lack of regulation of the industry by the government had allowed oil players to act like a cartel.

It is high time that this law, Republic Act 8479, is put under a microscope by the Senate and the House of Representatives to determine if, indeed, it is being exploited to the detriment of consumers. If it is being used as a tool of exploitation, then it has to go.