Press statement of Senator Chiz Escudero

ON THE SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES VS MILF

Any respite in the shooting war is welcome. The suspension of military operations against the MILF will allow the thousands of displaced families to return to their homes and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to them.

But this does not erase the responsibility of the MILF to bring to justice the rogue commanders responsible for the pillage of homes and murder of innocent civilians in attacks in central Mindanao. Let government act now to ensure that this temporary halt in the fighting will lead to the resumption of peace talks with the MILF, to include all stakeholders in the region.

ON MOODY'S UPGRADE OF RP CREDIT RATING

While we should be thankful for this good news, let us not forget that more and more Filipinos are losing their jobs and getting hungry.

In fact, the Asian Development Bank expects the economy to contract further this year. Let us not forget to thank the millions of Filipino overseas workers whose remittances have kept the economy afloat through all these years.

This government should address corruption which has led to the diversion of billions in much needed revenues to private coffers instead of the country's treasury.