Press Release
July 12, 2009

Press statement of Senator Loren Legarda

ON CBCP

I hail the election of Tandag Bishop Nereo Olichimar as president of the CBCP as signifying the continuity and strength of the institution as a dominant moral force in our society. The CBCP has not just been spiritual pastor of the Catholic community, but is also a moral guide for the national polity.

I hope that the CBCP will continue its crusade against corruption in government and civil society, against poverty and illegal drugs, and vigorously pursue the campaign for the protection and enhancement of the environment. It's uncompromising stand for morality in government and for the rule of law is a bulwark for good governance.

ON HOSTAGE RELEASE

The release of ICRC worker Eugenio Vagni by the Abu Sayaff shows what patient negotiations can do to save innocent lives in conflict situations. We should never give up when it comes to saving innocent lives. Whenever there is a chance, however slim, to rescue or bring about the release of hostages, we should take it, short of compromising the law.

The military authorities tasked with rescuing Vagni should also deserve our congratulations for showing restraint, caution and taking skillful calibrated action to pressure the Abu Sayaff into releasing their captive. The nation owes people like Vagni, a foreigner, some debt of gratitude for risking their lives.

Now the government should resume its negotiations with insurgent organizations like the MILF and the CPP-NPA to achieve national unity, peace and progress.

ON POVERTY

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report of 2009 estimates that from 50 million to 90 million people will slide to extreme poverty at less than $1.25 a day in 2009 because of the global economic crisis. Among them will be millions of Filipinos who will face hunger and deprivation due to unemployment and lower incomes.

To alleviate hunger, the government must initiate a sustained and massive food production drive, engaging provincial, municipal and barangay governments to provide for food sufficiency and reduce our dependence on food imports. It is known that we have many idle lands which remain uncultivated and which could be put to good use producing staple crops.

We have also inland water resources that could be harnessed to produce cultured fish, while our fishermen should be aided by the government to become more productive through technical and material aid. Livestock raising should also be intensified. We should mobilize all our God-given resources to save our people from hunger.

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