Loren Legarda. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Returning senator Loren Legarda expressed her sincere appreciation to the Filipino voters, especially her province mates in Antique, for the overwhelming support she received in her Senate comeback bid.
Currently among the frontrunners in ongoing quick count results of the senatorial race, Legarda said her impending victory is dedicated to all Filipinos, especially the poor and marginalized, who are hoping for a better life and a secure future for their families and children.
“Filipinos may expect me to work harder and pursue legislative proposals that will address the most pressing problems of the country. I hope to give them more than their vote’s worth,” she said.
Ranking second in on-going unofficial results received through the Commission on Elections’ transparency servers, Legarda is already assured of a Senate seat, according to election experts. It will be recalled that she topped the Senate race twice, in 1998 and 2007, and placed second in 2013.
Legarda also aired her appreciation to Antiqueños for inspiring her to seek another Senate run after serving them for three years as congresswoman.
“Duro duro gid nga salamat sa mga kasimanwa ko sa Antique na siyang nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa akin na mas paigtingin pa ang aking mga pagsisikap sa muling pagbabalik sa Senado,” Legarda said. (Many thanks to my provincemates in Antique who inspired me to strive harder to return to the Senate)
“Kung nagawa po nating maibangon at paunlarin ang isang probinsyang salat at matagal na napag-iwanan sa loob lamang ng tatlong taon, kayang-kaya din nating gawin ito sa ibang probinsya sa ating bansa,” she added. (If we succeeded in reviving and in making progressive an impoverished province in just three years, we can do the same in other provinces.)
“All we need is the passion and perseverance to serve and provide programs that are pro-people. Elections should not just be an opportunity for us to gain fresh mandate, but also a chance for us to renew the people’s trust in our vision to improve their lives,” Legarda stressed.