Koko says yes to Paris Agreement

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday joined 21 other senators in concurring with the Paris Agreement.

The vote, at 22-0, is the final step in the ratification of the Agreement under Philippine laws, making it binding on the Philippines.

"Senate concurrence to this Agreement will be the legacy of the 17th Congress to future generations. We can say that on this day, when we were called to make a stand for the environment, we chose the path that protects the interest of all mankind", Pimentel said in his speech explaining his vote.

Pimentel, who has survived the onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Sendong, expressed his stand that voting yes on the Agreement is one way of arresting the trend of climate change.

Pimentel explained that the Agreement is in keeping with principles enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, saying that it is the government's duty to protect the rights of the Filipino people to a balanced and healthful ecology.

Towards the end of the speech, Pimentel thanked Senator Loren Legarda, "for her efforts in seeing to it that the concurrence to this Agreement has been speedily achieved by the Senate."