LEGARDA HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR NEXT TERM

Granting universal healthcare, a college scholarship each for the 3 million families under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, as well as measures to mitigate the impact of climate change will top Sen. Loren Legarda’s legislative priorities if given a chance to serve in the incoming Congress.

Legarda reiterated this during Team PNoy’s miting de avance today at the Amoranto Stadium as the campaign period came to a close.

“These are legacy and poverty-alleviating measures which will have greatest impact on the poorest families and significantly change the course of their lives,” Legarda stressed.

            She said “graduating” the poorest households from poverty would be one of the legacies she would like to leave as a senator.

Legarda said when Congress resumes session in June, she will work on finishing the Universal Healthcare bill which she principally authored to benefit the 25 million poorest Filipinos.

            “Once we have the Universal Healthcare law, all families are covered by Philhealth benefits regardless of their status in life. We mean to include everyone, including the informal sector or the unemployed,” Legarda said.

            On her proposed scholarship for indigent families, Legarda said she will make sure that the more than three million families that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will have at least one college graduate through a scholarship program.

            The  college diploma could be the ticket to bring them out of poverty, she said.

Legarda, who is a staunch environmentalist, said she has already authored several laws to protect the environment and lessen the impact of climate change but there are other environment-related issues that need to be addressed.      

   

            “Marami pang dapat gawin para pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan. Papaigtingin ko pa ang aking mga programa sa larangang ito,” Legarda said, adding that initiatives to make communities safe and resilient from disasters greatly impact the national economy.

She added that future generations of Filipinos should live in enabling environments where natural resources are used in ways sustainable and not destructive.

"I ask everyone to join hands and unite for the common goals that serve our people’s welfare. To work for what matters: whether there is going to be food on the table, education for our children, and clean, safe communities," she concluded.

LEGARDA WELCOMES PASTOR QUIBOLOY’S ENDORSEMENT

International televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, founding leader and head pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, today endorsed Sen. Loren Legarda, saying her performance as senator and a leading environmentalist have made an impact on people’s lives.

Quiboloy’s endorsement means the votes of his more than six million followers not only in Davao City where his congregation is based but also in other parts of the country and abroad.

Legarda, for her part, said: “I thank Pastor Quiboloy and the leadership of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for including me in the list of candidates that they are endorsing. This serves as a strong expression of support to the causes that I have been espousing and the programs that I plan to accomplish when I get reelected.”

Besides Legarda, also endorsed by Quiboloy were senatoriables Migz Zubiri, Chiz Escudero, Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jr., JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Edward Hagedorn, and Richard Gordon.

Quiboloy said the names of candidates to be supported came out from thorough discussions and deliberations done by the kingdom leaders.

He said among the qualifications that the kingdom leaders considered during the deliberations were the candidates’ relationship to the kingdom, and platform, vision and program of government.

Quiboloy's endorsement is one of the most sought among religious leaders every election by candidates because of his capability to deliver a command vote.

Legarda was among those invited by Quiboloy during the pastor’s recent Disneyland-themed birthday celebration at the Jose Maria College campus in Davao City.

When asked earlier for his criteria for endorsing candidates, Quiboloy said: "Ayaw namin yung always in power pero wala naman silang ginagawa. Ang gusto kong makita yung impact to the Filipino people especially the marginalized, kailangan madama ng tao yung kabutihan na ginagawa nila para sa tao.”

Trillanes earmarks over P240-M for health care

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV has set aside over P240 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for medical assistance and hospital rehabilitation across the country since he started receiving the allocation for lawmakers’ special projects in 2010 under the Aquino administration.

 

Trillanes, a staunch critic of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now detained for a plunder case, did not receive the PDAF during the term of the former leader, but still managed to provide help to those needing medical attention.

 

“Every citizen of this country should have access to our healthcare system. Indigent patients should not be made to wait and suffer just because they don’t have the means to pay,” said Trillanes, who is running under Team PNoy said.

 

He added: “Even though I was not given the PDAF by the GMA regime, we found ways to help our people. It did not stop me from fulfilling my duty to the people.”

 

During the 15th Congress, Trillanes co-authored the Universal Health Care Act that mandates all citizens of the country to be covered by the National Health Insurance Program.

 

Trillanes also filed bills that seek to give tax credit to physicians rendering pro bono services, establish a national cancer center to be known as the Philippine National Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Fund, raise the salaries of medical doctors, and establish an infant mortality program to reduce the rate of infant deaths in the country, among others. 

Binay says vote-buying rampant in provinces

CABANATUAN CITY – “It’s too brazen.”

With these, Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday deplored the rampant vote-buying activities by moneyed candidates, particularly in the provinces which undermine the coming electoral exercise this coming Monday.

Speaking to newsmen following a campaign sortie in Nueva Ecija with his daughter, senatorial candidate Nancy, Binay expressed hope that authorities would arrest those engaged in buying of votes.

Binay said in many whistle stops of the United Nationalist Alliance, they have monitored several instances of vote-buying.

He cited an incident in Puerto Princesa where registered voters line up in a gymnasium receiving money from certain candidates. He said he just came from Capiz where giving out of money was being done in the open.

“Where are the police? I hope they enforce the law,” he said.   

Commenting on the money ban imposed by the Commission Elections to prevent voter-buying, Binay said it would affect legitimate businesses. “What will you do with those receiving wages? And those who have pending loan applications? They might not be able to release the loans,” he said.

He said the ban should be reviewed especially with the reaction of the business sector.

At the same time, the Vice President said there is no way Team PNoy of the administration coalition could score a 12-0 sweep of the senatorial race. “Definitely, there will be no 12-0. Not even 9-3. I think we in UNA will bag at least four Senate seats,” he said.

          Binay acknowledged the votes of the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo sect will be crucial, particularly to candidates at the tail-end of the socalled Magic 12. “When you are on the borderline, the INC votes are extremely crucial,” he said. (Manny Galvez)  

Trillanes vows to advance more pro-women policies

Reelectionist Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV said there is a need to strengthen the role of women in the society as he vowed to introduce more policies that will further protect and advance their rights.

 

Trillanes has put forward a slew of pro-women measures in the Senate, but said there is still much more to be done to institutionalize policies that will care for women and promote their rights.

 

“Women are an integral part of this country, thus, as a policymaker, it is my duty to advance policies toward women’s empowerment in order to protect the rights and improve each Filipino woman’s life,” said Trillanes, who is running under Team PNoy. 

 

Trillanes is the principal author of Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in the Senate. This law seeks to address the loopholes in RA 9208 and the human trafficking in the country particularly in disaster areas where women and children are easy preys of unscrupulous groups.

 

Trillanes is also among the authors of the National Health Insurance Act, which is now enrolled for signature by President Aquino. This bill provides comprehensive health care services that will prioritize those in most need and provide free services to indigents.

 

Other pro-women bills which Trillanes has filed are:

 

·   Senate Bill No. 322 (Increasing Maternity Leave Benefits) – increases the maternity leave of working women to 120 days from 60 days to allow mothers to breastfeed their kids for at least four months.

·   Senate Bill No. 230 (Mother-Child Facility Act) – seeks to institutionalize the pulling up of drop-in centers for non-school age children within the vicinity of every private company which employs at least 100 women workers, whether taking managerial, supervisory or rank and file post.

·   Senate Bill No. 410 (National Cervical Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment Fund) – seeks to create a breast and cervical cancer diagnostic and treatment fund which shall provide financial assistance for the medical care of indigent patients.

·   Senate Bill No. 222 (Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act) – a public education and awareness campaign to inform the general public about the clinical significance of gynecologic cancer and its public health implications such as risk factors, symptoms, need for early detection and methods of treatment associated with gynecologic cancer.

·   Senate Bill 189 (Breast and Cervical Cancer Protection Act) – inclusion of periodic diagnostic services for breast cancer and cervical cancer in the benefit package under the PhilHealth.

In defense of Sen. Loren Legarda: PNOY, VP BINAY, OTHER SENATORS VOUCH FOR LOREN’S INTEGRITY

President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay and several other political personalities rallied behind Senator Loren Legarda, attesting to her integrity and commitment to public service.

The outpouring of support came after black propaganda hurled against Legarda surfaced in the last leg of the 2013 campaign season, alleging anomalies in her SALN. “Team PNoy’s composition is based on a shared commitment to honesty, transparency, and accountability in public service,” said President Aquino. “Loren Legarda has never backed away from the duty of every person who works for the people, to live up to our common obligation to stand by these three basic principles of governance.” He added, “I know that our fellow citizens will recognize this and that they can separate the facts from mere rumors or opinions.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay, in turn, said the allegations are “obviously politically motivated,” and he is confident that Legarda will emerge unscathed.

Legarda has consistently held the top senatorial spot in pre-election surveys, owing to her strong track record as a legislator and public servant.

“I sympathize with Loren,” said UNA senatorial bet Richard “Dick” Gordon. “Somebody wants to be No. 1 ahead of her, is that the kind of person you want elected in the Senate?”

Other senatorial candidates from both UNA and Team PNoy expressed support for the legislator, including Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Nancy Binay, and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who further attested to Legarda’s “fierce commitment to issues on the environment, education and employment.”

“I urge the Filipino electorate to give Legarda a resounding vote of confidence on May 13 to shame her detractors.” said former Ambassador Roy Seneres of the OFW Family Party List.

Team PNoy Campaign Manager Senator Frank Drilon expressed outrage at the allegations, and vouched for Legarda’s strong work ethic. “As a fellow senator and friend, I have known Senator Legarda as a person of respect and integrity. She was my indefatigable Majority Floor Leader when I was Senate President during the 11th, 12th and 13th Congresses.” Drilon added “I am certain that any attempt at character assassination against her would fail in the face of her impending victory in the elections.”

Ensure Safety of Mayon Residents, Says Legarda

Following reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that at least five climbers were killed and several injured in Albay as Mayon Volcano spewed ash, Senator Loren Legarda called on the government to institutionalize geohazard mapping and mandatory LGU training on disaster risk reduction.

“We can do a lot for our environment. Geohazard mapping should be institutionalized and followed down to the grassroots. Funding should be provided in the national budget and to LGUs for relocation or for housing, most especially for communities that are in danger,” Legarda, who chairs the Committee on Climate Change, said.

“There should also be a mandatory training on anticipating risks for LGUs and for frontline agencies,” the Senator added.

Legarda, regional disaster risk reduction champion for Asia Pacific, also asked government to incorporate climate change adaptation in the school curriculum.

 “To solve the problem of environmental degradation, it is important that we inculcate the right values to the younger generation. It is only through concerted efforts that we may be able to reverse the damage caused by irresponsible development models and large-scale environmental destruction,” she said.

For the past three months, Senator Legarda has led a massive information drive on the use of geohazard maps in LGUs, SUCs, and barangays nationwide.

"Hindi ito isyu na para lamang sa mga akademiko. Malapit ito sa bituka, at may epekto sa huli ng ating mga mangingisda, ani ng magsasaka, kabuhayan ng mga katutubo at kaligtasan ng mamamayan," Legarda stressed.

The Senator was the principal author of the Climate Change Act (RA 9729) and co-author and sponsor of its amendatory law, which provides for the creation of the People’s Survival Fund (RA 10174).

Legarda was chiefly responsible for the passage of landmark environmental legislations such as the Clean Air Act (RA 8749), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003), Renewable Energy Act (RA 9513) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (RA 10121).

YOUTH LEADERS, BISHOPS ENDORSE LEGARDA

In an apparent repudiation of the instigators of the persistent demolition job against Sen. Loren Legarda, influential youth, student and bishop groups endorsed the senator’s candidacy in separate ceremonies this morning.

First to endorse Legarda was the Independent Bishops Conference of the Philippines (IBCP) at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

            The endorsement of the IBCP, a Christian sect with nationwide members, was led by Bishop Efraim Perez, president; Bishop James Antioquia, vice-president; Rev. Reynaldo Mapanoo, secretary, and Rev. Jun Bernal, secretary general.

            Next to endorse Legarda were the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and Kabataan party list at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

            The students and youth signed a manifesto expressing their views on why they chose Legarda and a select group of senatorial candidates.

            The groups said in her 15 years in the Senate, Legarda promoted the welfare of the youth and students and even teachers and advanced their interests.

            In her speech, Legarda said, “Kailangan maiangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon lalo na sa mga pampublikong paaralan at state universities and colleges o SUCs. Kailangan madagdagan ang pondo ng DepEd at CHED para sa mga mahihirap na kabataang kasama natin na nangangarap magkaroon ng diploma, sa pamamagitan ng dagdag na mga scholarship.”

            She disclosed her plan called “Pantawid Tuition Program” which would grant a college scholarship to each of the 3.8 million households that are beneficiaries of the government’s Conditional Cash Program.

“Sa ilalim ng Pantawid Tuition Program, bawat mahirap na pamilyang Pilipino ay magkakaroon ng college scholarship. Layunin natin na mabigyan sila ng magandang trabaho at umasenso ang kabuhayan ng kanilang pamilya,” she said.

Legarda added: "Patuloy po tayong magsisikap sa pagsusulong ng mga adhikain natin para maitaas ang budget para sa edukasyon, para sa mga dagdag na scholarship, tamang pasahod sa mga guro, pagbaba ng presyo ng mga bilihin at pasahe, at siyempre, para sa kalusugan ng lahat.

Legarda Remains on Top in Latest SWS Survey

Reelectionist Senator Loren Legarda remained on top of the people’s choice for senator in the 2013 elections as revealed in the SWS’ final pre-election survey conducted on May 2-3, 2013 with 2,400 respondents.

Legarda said she is ever grateful that despite the black propaganda hurled against her, she remains number one in surveys and in the hearts of the people.

“Salamat sa Diyos at salamat sa lahat ng tao na patuloy ang tiwala at suporta sa akin. The result of this latest survey gives me renewed strength and inspiration. This goes to show that Filipinos will not be swayed by the dirty tactics deployed by some to tarnish the good name and track record I have worked hard on,” she stressed.

“I hope that on Election Day the Filipino electorate will look into our track record, what we have done and what we plan to do,” she added.

Among Legarda’s priorities in her next term in the Senate is the Universal Healthcare Coverage Act, which will ensure free healthcare services for the twenty-five million Filipinos through Philhealth.

She will also expand college scholarship through the Pantawid Tuition Program, which seeks to fund one college scholar for every poor family, particularly those belonging to the 3.8 million poorest households.  

Legarda continues to work with different sectors in solving key issues such as poverty, malnutrition and unemployment, through L.O.R.E.N. sa Bawat Barangay, which is short for Livelihood Opportunities to Raise Employment Nationwide.

The program aims to inform citizens about livelihood and employment opportunities available to them and to involve various sectors and local government agencies in the creation of jobs and businesses.

REGAL MATRIARCH MOTHER LILY ENDORSES EDGARDO "SONNY" ANGARA

Regal Entertainment producer Lily Monteverde endorsed Team PNoy senatorial candidate Edgardo "Sonny" Angara today (May 7) in a press conference at the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City.

“I support Sonny Angara because of his exceptional credentials and track record. He has attained excellent education here and abroad. In his nine years as congressman, he has accomplished incomparable legislative work and projects not only for his district but for the entire country,” said Monteverde, a pillar of the Philippine entertainment industry.

“In my decades of experience as a producer, I can say that I’m a good judge of character. I know a qualified candidate when I see one, and Sonny Angara is definitely among them,” she added.

Monteverde also noted the achievements of the senatorial candidate's father, Senator Edgardo Angara, who was in public service for 24 years. The older Angara, the longest serving post-Edsa senator, is now on his last term.

“Sonny’s a very smart, hardworking and competent public servant. There’s no doubt he would continue, or surpass even, the outstanding performance of his father in the Senate,” the movie mogul said.

Angara said that an endorsement from Monteverde is definitely “sought after,” since her stature in the Philippine entertainment industry carries a lot of weight.

“I am deeply thankful for the vote of confidence Mother Lily has shared for my candidacy, especially since she is really known to follow stringent criteria in choosing who she endorses. Piling-pili po talaga ang kanilang endorsements,” said the Harvard-trained lawmaker.

Earlier, Angara was endorsed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who described him as “young and idealistic, also full of sex appeal.”

Kris Aquino, top celebrity endorser and sister of President Benigno Aquino III, also backed Angara’s candidacy explaining that she really feels that the Aurora representative wants to serve.

“Sa mga batas na naisulong niya, buong pamilya naalagaan na ni Sonny Angara,” said Aquino during an earlier ambush interview. 

Army teams up with DA in development of select portions of Fort Magsaysay as farming areas

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, May 6, 2013-7^th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army has teamed up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in transforming certain portions of its Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) as farming areas.

 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin solidified the five-year partnership with a recent signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

 

“This MOU is in line with President Aquino’s directive to our agencies to have livelihood programs in selected military reservations across the archipelago. DA will provide marketing assistance and the necessary equipment and facilities as well as inputs and trainings on production” said Alcala.

 

“Per plan, certain parts of the camp will be planted with cassava, corn, rice, high value crops, and fruit trees while some will be utilized for the production of fish, free range chicken, and goat” Alcala added.

 

For his part, Gazmin said “The Defense Department and the Armed Forces are truly glad for the realization of this project. Without doubt, this program and partnership with DA shall open doors for economic utilization of the idle portions of our military camps and reservations in the entire country.”

 

The FMMR was conceived by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.237 dated December 19, 1955 with a total land area of 44,970 hectares.

 

It consists of the Cantonment area, Training Circuit, Kalinga sa Kawal off-based housing for military personnel, Jethropa Plantation, National Training Center (Balikatan area), and the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)

DILG revisits five-year action plan of CL provinces on Manila Bay Clean-up, rehab, and preservation

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, May 5, 2013-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently held a series of workshops that seeks to revisit the five-year action plan of Central Luzon provinces within
the so-called Manila Bay area namely Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac on clean up, rehabilitation, and preservation.

“The objective of the activity is to align the Local Government Unit (LGU) Five-year Action Plan with the Implementation Plan of the Operational Plan of the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy (OPMBCS),” said
DILG Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Lerrie Hernandez.

It also aims to re-evaluate the LGUs compliance to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) prescribed by the Manila Bay Advisory Council (MBAC).

Attendees consisted of planning and development coordinators, environment and natural resources officers, and DILG officials of concerned municipalities and cities.

“These LGUs need to come up with new strategies in taking the necessary actions to address the issues and problems with regards to Manila Bay. I hope they will actively coordinate with concerned national government agencies and take this matter seriously,” said DILG Assistant Regional Director Abraham Pascua. (Rosa Bianca Pamintuan)

Ombudsman junks plea to reverse decision dismissing move to suspend Ecija mayor, 7 town officials

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija – The Office of Ombudsman has denied a motion for reconsideration to reverse its earlier ruling dismissing apetition to preventively suspend reelectionist Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco and seven other town officials.

          In a seven-page decision penned by Joaquin Salazar, director of the evaluation and investigation office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon and aproved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, the anti-graft body denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Councilors Julito Wycoco and Rodrigo Rivera seeking a reversal of its March 27,2012 ruling which junked the motion to suspend Congco, Vice mayor Ernesto S. Talens Jr. and Councilors Danilo Bagan, Danilo Clemente, Luisito Relucio, Jose Talens and Dante Umali and Sangguniang Bayan secretary Luisito Guevarra.

          Wycoco, younger brother of the late National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco, is running for vice mayor under the Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago as the running mate of Rivera’s brother Ramil.

          They are challenging the reelection bids of Congco, a four-time mayor and Talens who are under the banner of the National Unity Party headed by outgoing three-term fourth district Rep. Rodolfo Antonino.   

          In its March 27,2012 ruling, the Ombudsman threw out the complaint filed by Julito Wycoco and Rivera after finding no strong evidence of guilt to warrant the suspension of Congco and her seven co-accused pending investigation of an administrative complaint for grave misconduct the duo had earlier filed against the respondents.

          In their complaint-affidavit, Wycoco and Rivera earlier sought the respondents’ preventive suspension after accusing them of conspiring in allegedly falsifying two SB appropriation ordinances and misappropriating public funds worth at least P10.48-million in 2011 allegedly for the promotion of their personal interests and political gains.

          In March 27, 2012 order, the Ombudsman said the complainants’ motion is not meritorious as it failed to concur with two pre-requisites of the law before a preventive suspension order of any public officer could be handed down pending the investigation.           These two requisites are Sections 24 of Republic Act 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), and 9, of Rule III of the Ombudsman Rules of Procedure, which said that: “(1) the evidence of guilt is strong,” “(2b) the charges warrant removal from the service,” and “(2c) the respondent’s continued stay in office may jeopardize the case filed against him.”

          It also said: “The complainants alleged that the respondents unlawfully spent millions of pesos but (they) surprisingly failed to buttress such allegations with telling proof such as a copy of an audit report from the Commission on Audit.

“It is a basic rule that bare allegations, unsubstantiated by evidence, are not equivalent to proof. In short, mere allegations are not evidence,” it said.

In junking the motion, the Ombudsman also said: “That the pieces of evidence presented by the complainants do not suffice to produce compelling proof that may warrant the removal from service of the respondents.”

          “This office finds that the administrative adjudication of the case may proceed without necessarily placing the respondents under preventive suspension,” it further stated.

This prompted Wycoco and Rivera to file a motion for reconsideration, arguing that the assailed order is contrary to law and jurisprudence.

They said they did not present any COA report as all monies spent and released through an invalid law or ordinance is “considered malversed or stolen.”

In its latest ruling, the Ombudsman said the motion for reconsideration is not impressed with valid grounds to reverse or modify its assailed order. It noted that the Ombudsman Rules of Procedure provides that a motion for reconsideration must be based on any of the grounds such as the discovery of new evidence which materially affects the order, or grave errors of facts or laws or serious irregularities have been committed.

It said in the motion for reconsideration, Wycoco and Rivera neither presented new evidence and miserably failed to show or establish that the Ombudsman indeed committed grave errors or irregularities regarding the March 27,2012 order.

It further stated that its “insistent prayer” for the issuance of a preventive suspension order pending investigation are “mere rehash of those already mentioned in the complaint and which had already been discussed in the order sought to be reconsidered. Hence, it would be superfluous to further discuss them.”

“In fine, this Office finds no cogent reason to warrant the modification, much less the reversal of the order dated March 27,2012,” the Ombudsman said. (Manny Galvez)

         

Senator Loren Legarda in Pampanga

Senator Loren Legarda with Mayor Marino "Boking" Morales. The Senator is warmly welcomed by the people of Mabalacat City in her visit to Pampanga.

LEGARDA DEPLORES GUTTER POLITICS, SHOWS LAWYERS' CERTIFICATION 'ALL PROPERTIES IN MY SALN' – LEGARDA

Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition) lamented the continued misinformation campaign against her, stating these were all part of black propaganda meant to pull down her consistent top ranking in election surveys. Legarda was reacting to a smear online campaign alleging non-disclosure in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of a piece of real property in the United States. 

             "Hindi po ako magtatago sa anomang anomalya dahil ako po ay naglilingkod ng tapat sa bayan. Isa po itong black propaganda dahil di po ako natitinag sa pagiging number one," she added. 

            In an interview, Legarda said, “The certification I have in my hand, prepared by my lawyers, is clear: The Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) I filed in June 30, 2007 includes the New York property subject of the black propaganda, described as ‘Other Investment’ in Annex A, in the amount of P 7,175,000 equal to one-fourth of the total investment in the acquisition of apartment amounting to P 28,700,000.  Beginning December 31, 2007 up to December 31, 2010, the same property was also included on the SALN described as “Equity in Real Property”, also one-fourth of the total P 28,700,000. As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012 the New York property was also included in my SALN described as “Real Property-USA.”

Legarda said it is deplorable that people, possibly even some fellow candidates, could engage in such gutter politics, diverting people from the real issues.  “It’s political season and I have survived to answer clearly all the black propaganda hurled against me. I challenge the source of all this to come clean. I ask other candidates to stick to what we as candidates can do to address the problems facing the country,” Legarda said.                              "Hindi po sila nakuntento sa pagkalat ng mga kasinungalingan, ngayon ito po ang inimbento. Lahat po ito ay walang katotohanan at handa po akong humarap sa kahit kanino. At ipagdadasal ko nalang po sila," Legarda said.

LEGARDA SUSTAINS LEAD IN LATEST SURVEY

With less than two weeks before the May 13 elections, reelectionist Sen. Loren Legarda (Nationalist People’s Coalition) sustained her lead in the latest pre-election survey conducted by pollster Pulse Asia.

            Legarda, who also topped the Pulse Asia survey last month, got 51.5% votes of those polled. The survey, conducted from April 20 to 22, had 1,800 respondents from a national sample.

            Legarda said she is thankful to the public for continuing to put their trust in her, adding that she will work doubly hard in her last term to push more high-impact laws.

           Legarda, in previous statements, said she will work on finishing the Universal Healthcare bill which she principally authored to benefit the 25 million poorest Filipinos. “Providing for the healthcare needs of the poorest Filipinos is my top priority,” Legarda has said.

            She said she will also push for the expansion of scholarship programs for indigent but deserving college students by providing scholarships for the three million families that are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

            Legarda also said she will continue to look after the welfare of senior citizens by ensuring the full implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act as well as author more environmental laws, among others.