Press Release
November 20, 2009

LEGARDA IS LDP's VP BET; PARTY CALLS FOR CLEAN, HONEST GOV'T

At yesterday's meeting of the executive council of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), the party endorsed Sen. Loren Legarda as its vice-presidential candidate, emphasizing its thrust for a "clean and transparent government."

She accepted the endorsement and stressed her agenda for gracing the convention by thanking the LDP and her loyal supporters since the 2004 polls, saying "Laban does not stand for a fight against anyone or anyone's political party; it is a fight against poverty, hunger, unemployment and climate change." She has "worked for three decades fighting climate change, agricultural and environment-related issues and the peace talks in Mindanao, and so it is about time to broker for a lasting peace in the region and in the country."

Legarda has recently been announced to be Sen. Manny Villar's (NP) running mate for the 2010 elections. She clarified however that her acceptance of the party's endorsement, as well as that of her tandem with Villar, does not in any way affirm some politicians' allegations of her being a "political prostitute." On the contrary, she stressed, "it has to do with shared advocacies and visions for the country. It is a parallelism of a pro-people governance that revolves around transparency and accountability."

"My SAL (statement of assets and liabilities) in 2010 will be the same in 2016. I don't intend to enrich myself during my service because I believe in the legacy I can leave for the Filipinos" Legarda, hopeful to gain the vice-presidency seat in the coming elections, promised.

Re-enforcing her advocacy in addressing environmental issues, Legarda reminded the audience of what she called the "stark reality of climate change," citing the now-swamped farms in many provinces. Former rice and crop farms have become stagnant with dirty lakes of floodwaters, with local farmers now devoid of livelihood. The Marilao River of Bulacan, Legarda cited, is one of the world's 30 dirtiest rivers; while the country is ranked among the top 10 most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Ironically, the Philippines is the first ASEAN country to have a National Commission on Climate Change. Furthermore, the Solid Waste Management Law, the lack of enforcement of which Legarda pointed out as one of the major causes of the country's vulnerability to climate change evidenced in the effects of the recent typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, Ramil and Santi, has only attained a 13% compliance.

Other issues Legarda spoke of in the convention include the importance of culture, heritage and identities as Filipinos; protecting the rights of indigenous communities, as well as that of OFWs; and peace and order in Mindanao.

"More than just political support and affiliation, this alliance is a manifestation of friendship and unity to serve the people with good governance. Let 2010 be a test for true democracy and people's free will through a clean and honest elections; and be a start of a new administration that puts the people's needs above any other interest," Legarda concluded

News Latest News Feed