Legarda welcomes enactment of RA 12317 setting BARMM elections in September 2026

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the signing into law of Republic Act No. 12317, which sets the long-awaited regular parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September 2026.

Legarda, author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1823, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, and Co-Chair of the Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, said the measure provides the Bangsamoro people with a clear and credible timeline to exercise their democratic rights […]

Legarda welcomes enactment of excise tax suspension law, strengthens push for affordable essentials

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12316, signed into law on March 25 by the President, which authorizes the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products. Legarda described the measure as urgent relief for Filipino families who have been carrying the weight of relentless oil price hikes.

She emphasized that the measure comes at a critical time when the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed new fuel price increases effective March 24, with gasoline up by ₱6.47 per […]

Legarda slams slow crisis response, tells gov’t to acknowledge crisis and drop motherhood statements

Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday rebuked government agencies for what she described as a slow, complacent, and disconnected response to the worsening fallout of the Middle East conflict, warning that empty assurances and motherhood statements will not help Filipinos already reeling from rising fuel, food, and transport costs.

Speaking at the Senate Organizational Meeting of the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee, Legarda stressed that the government cannot afford to downplay what is already unfolding […]

Legarda confronts digital trafficking threat, calls for stronger protection of women and girls

Senator Loren Legarda warned that human trafficking in the Philippines continues to exploit women and girls, with traffickers adapting faster than institutions and using digital platforms, deepfake technology, and cross-border networks to expand their reach.

Legarda underscored that despite decades of legislation and a Tier 1 international ranking, trafficking persists and women and girls remain the most vulnerable.

She recalled her early years as a journalist covering exploitation, saying her advocacy began with firsthand exposure to the trade of women and children.

“Before […]

Legarda backs final approval of GIDA Schools Act, strengthening education access in remote areas

Senator Loren Legarda, principal author and co‑sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1937, or the GIDA Schools Act, which institutionalizes the support for schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), emphasized the urgency of inclusive education as the Senate approved the proposed measure on third and final reading on Monday, March 16.

“Education is a fundamental right and a powerful equalizer. Yet for many Filipino children living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, access to quality education remains constrained by distance, […]