Press Statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On CARP

The Congress should enact the measure extending the life of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law as soon as possible, with amendments plugging the loopholes that prevented its full implementation in the first place. We should not let our farmers continue in a state of fearful suspension, not knowing whether or not the law would eventually be passed. As it is the delay is already evoking signs of rising social unrest.

Because of the present global economic crisis, another element of urgency has been introduced. We need to stimulate and revitalize our agriculture to produce more basic food and raw industrial materials for both domestic consumption and exports. It has been found through experience, validated by surveys, that land reform farmers are more productive than tenants or farm laborers. This is because they hare more incentives to work harder and produce more.

It is thus to our national interest that the CARL should be extended as soon as possible. Our landowners should be enlightened enough to realize that they will benefit more in the long run if our farmers will be liberated from land tenancy and encouraged to produce more. As the Latin saying goes, Salus Populi est Suprema Lex, the welfare of the people is the supreme law.

On BSP move to regulate e-money sector

"It is high time that the BSP protects consumers who use electronic payment systems like debit cards and the so-called e-money. By asking companies who provide such services to keep a complete record of their customers' transaction, any complaints by the latter can be promptly addressed. "As many e-transactions are paperless, consumers must be provided mechanisms to correct erroneous transactions or the disappearance of cash balances on such electronic instruments due to technology quirks. Our regulations must evolve with the fast developments in the global financial systems."

On palace proposing televised poll bidding

"Televising the bidding for the automated election system would help make the process more transparent. I'm in favor of such a move if it would not in any way violate the provisions of the Government Procurement Act.

"The winning bidder must not only propose to provide the best poll automation system at the least cost to us; it must also have an untainted reputation and a proven track record in providing such a service in elections abroad.

"I am more concerned though with the warning attributed to the Comelec that we only have one chance of getting the bidding process for poll automation right, otherwise we would resort anew to manual counting of votes. Is this another case of mind-conditioning, this time to pave the way for the continuation of the fraud-prone old electoral system?"