Loren cites JPE's reforms at Senate

Senator Loren Legarda said today that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the new majority in the upper chamber had shown what leaders who share a sincere desire to help Filipinos can do within the ambit of their respective offices.

"The new Senate leadership and the majority worked hard so that aside from their salaries, Senate employees would get P10,000 more each month, regardless of whether you are a director or a janitor," said Loren.

"What this means is that if the budget of each organization, whether private or public, is scrutinized, savings can be found and realized which can then be given to the people, instead of being pocketed by just a few," she added.

Loren pointed out that no public office is too small to effect meaningful changes, adding "thus, can you imagine how much, much more a President who really cares for the people can do to lift them out of poverty."

But Loren said that senators primarily work to uplift the lives of all Filipinos, especially those belonging to marginalized sectors, through the passage of meaningful laws and by putting their foot down on corrupt activities through check and balance.

"Whereas Senate employees used to receive chocolate bars as token appreciation, the Senate under Manong Johnny provides them more meaningful support from the savings generated by the upper chamber," said Loren.

She said JPE has also streamlined the workings of the Senate by weeding out those who do nothing or by assigning staff to where they'd be most productive.

"The Senate, as a whole, has become more focused, something which I want to see for the entire Philippine bureaucracy so it can be of better service to the Filipino people."

"Yes, the Filipino can, especially when blessed with a leader with a true passion for service, and compassion for those in society who are marginalized," said Loren.

Among other legislative agendas, Enrile had filed two bills seeking to lower the cost of electricity to consumers by lowering the government levies and royalties on natural gas, relative to the much lower taxes imposed on petroleum fuel.

Of late, Enrile also caused the National Telecommunications Commission to order telecom companies to improve their services to their customers, by increasing the expiration period of cellphone loads.