Legarda blames corruption, resource waste for poor RP

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Loren Legarda blames corruption and the massive waste of resources for the extensive poverty in the country.

Legarda, chairwoman of the committee on agriculture and fisheries modernization, health and demography and climate change, said economic studies show that countries are poor not so much for lack of resources but because of corruption.

“Economic studies show that all over the world, countries are poor, not so much because of a scarcity of resources, but rather because of the massive waste of resources resulting from endemic corruption in government. The reality in our country today sadly confirms this finding and shows it to be true,” Legarda said.

Legarda was invited by the law students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos to speak about the role of government in the recent global economic crisis.

Legarda challenged Filipinos to involve themselves in demolishing corruption and join economic activities that will harness the nation’s resources for the general welfare.

“Our challenge is to find and pursue the means to end permanent poverty and bring economic opportunities to the most isolated rural economies of our country,” Legarda said.

Legarda challenged the youth to explore opportunities in order to build their own business from modest beginnings and make their own contributions in creating jobs and generating value-added incomes.

“I believe that the engine of growth and development for the Philippine economy is our army of well-educated manpower, which can be harnessed through entrepreneurial activity in micro, small and medium scale enterprises,” Legarda added.

Legarda said that there are two laws that she pursued for immediate passage and were enacted in order to facilitate the much-needed proliferation of MSME’s.

Republic Act 9501, a law amending the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which seeks to accelerate the growth and development of the sector through mandatory lending of banks and programs geared towards enhancement of the MSMEs capabilities, and the Republic Act 9509 otherwise known as the Barangay Kabuhayan Act, which aims to establish a livelihood and skills training center in fourth-, fifth- and sixth-class municipalities.

Meanwhile, Legarda also said she has not yet decided whether or not to run for president or vice president in 2010.

 “I will not declare my candidacy on surveys and popularity but on visions and platforms for the deliverance of this nation,” Legarda said.

Legarda, who topped the l998 senatorial race but lost the 2004 vice presidential race to Vice President Noli de Castro, said her final decision on whether or not to run for the higher position hinges on the sentiment and support of the people.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero is seen as her rival for the presidential nomination of the National People’s Coalition led by business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco.

Both Legarda and Escudero are rating high in presidential preference surveys.

Legarda also urged Filipinos to scrutinize all who are groomed to be the next president that has integrity, competence and compassion.

“We cannot afford leaders who are corrupt,” Legarda also said.

The senator said she is still in consultation with her friends and supporters to get the pulse. — Garry B. Lao/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)