Senator Loren Legarda's Opening Statement
Hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Good morning and welcome to the hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Today's sole agenda is to appraise the "Convention on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain" in terms of the benefits that will redound to the interest of Filipinos.

I understand that the Convention being considered will effectively amend and supersede the original Philippine-Spain Social Security Convention, signed on 21 May 1988 and took effect on 1 October 1989.

In essence, we want elucidation on how our concurrence with such international agreement will translate to direct, real, concrete and substantial gains to Filipinos, who may come within the purview of said treaty.