Press Release
May 14, 2009

Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

On climate change threat in Southeast Asia

The World Wildlife Fund warns that unless global carbon emission is cut from 25 percent to 40 percent by the year 2020, the rising sea temperature would decimate 30 percent of coral reefs in Southeast Asia, along with 35 percent of the species that live off them.

The forecast is that 80 percent of food production from the coastal areas of the region would be lost, threatening the livelihood of 100 million people. Although the scenario painted by WWF is very disturbing, people might still remain complacent since the predicted adverse impacts will not happen until a decade after.

However, the negative effects of climate change are already being felt right now and in far more diverse ways. In our country, climate change manifests itself with the early onset of the rainy season, scarcity of water in the south and the diminishing catch of small fishermen off coastal waters. We must act now to help stem global warming by minimizing our ecological footprint.

On warning of trouble if GMA runs

The warning that the people would not take sitting down a scenario of President Arroyo running for prime minister under a parliamentary form of government is an accurate reading of the prevailing sentiment of Filipinos.

I feel that the people's opposition to such a prospect would be immediate and strong once the House of Representatives succeeds in forming a constituent assembly without Senate participation to change the Constitution.

Even the teetering bidding being held by the Comelec is being described as part and parcel of a No-el (no election) scenario said to be intended to extend this administration's term beyond 2010. The script, some say, is for the Comelec to eventually declare a failure of bidding for the poll automation project and its lack of readiness to revert to manual elections, thus there'd be no election. We can be sure though that the people are vigilant and watching the government's actions closely.

On report of Balikatan fund misuse

The exposé by a female navy officer of an alleged misuse of Balikatan funds must be looked into by an independent and impartial body like the Senate to determine its veracity. If these allegations are found to be true, measures to prevent such misappropriation must be implemented and the people responsible punished accordingly.

Nonetheless, a parallel investigation by authorities to pinpoint possible accountability must be undertaken. Reports have it that the navy officer is facing charges separate from the issue of possible fund misuse.

The issues should be taken separately to ensure that the charges against the navy officer are not intended to silence her.

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