Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On battle for Red Cross hostages erupting

The neutralization of the Abu Sayyaf at this point in time is of secondary importance to the safe release of the three Red Cross workers whom it had kidnapped. My concern is that the safety of the hostages may be compromised in the face of reports that fighting had erupted between the military and the bandit group.

To me, negotiating for the safe release of the kidnapped victims without ransom is still the way to go as through it we can avoid more bloodshed in strife-tormented Mindanao. We should not be preoccupied with reports over the death of the group's leader Albader Farad because, if true, it may even bring retaliatory moves from the group.

On economic stimulus being 'too small, vague'

The economic stimulus package should be seen as complementary to the 2009 national budget which had been signed into law. Thus, it is premature to say that the stimulus is too small to serve its purpose of generating much-needed jobs and supporting local industries affected by the global economic crisis.

At present, there is an uproar in the United States over its own stimulus package, specifically on the issue of the American International Group (AIG) handing millions of dollars in fat bonuses to its executives after the said company received billion of dollars in taxpayers' support to stave off bankruptcy.

The focus on such economic stimuli is on their proper use and on whether they are getting to the intended beneficiaries. In our country, the concern is that the stimulus package may be used to give administration candidates an undue advantage in the 2010 elections.

On PMA grads being asked to help in nat'l dev't

PMA graduates are idealists who can be expected to work for national development because of their love for our country, and not because they are being urged to do so. We should be one in wishing the newly minted officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines the very best in their young careers because their success is our success.

The Filipino soldier of today is expected to defend out country against both external and internal threats, the latter including terrorist designs to wreak havoc on our security and economic stability. The PMA has been attracting some of the best among our youth, thereby fostering a tradition of excellence that must continue.