Business leaders voice support for Loren

Businessmen of Makati, Manila, Quezon City and other areas in Metro Manila are supporting Loren Legarda for vice president, according to leaders of respected business organizations.

This was announced by Donald Dee, president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP); Sergio Luis-Ortiz, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); Mike Valera, president of Philippines Inc. and former Finance Secretary Jose Pardo.

In a recent meeting, the four raised the hands of Loren to signify their support for her vice presidential bid under the umbrella of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino led by presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

The business leaders said that businessmen are backing Legarda for vice president because of her proven track record in the Senate, wherein she filed bills and supported measures intended to encourage business expansion and productivity. "She showed capability, sincerity and earnestness in pursuing a pro-business agenda," they added.

Among the business-oriented laws that Legarda co-authored in the Senate, the businessmen recalled, were the Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises Act (Republic Act No. 9178), the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), the Special Purpose Vehicle Act (RA 9182), the Public Employment Service Office Act (RA 8759), the National Service Training Program (RA 9163) and others.

Legarda, who was the Senate majority leader in the past three years, also submitted bills and resolutions recommending more financial and technical support for small and medium enterprises, more credit for farmers and more assistance to students taking up business and technology courses.

The businessmen also cited her strong advocacy for a clean environment, peace and order, political stability and employment generation. "Without peace and order, the country will not prosper because businessmen will not invest in a place where their investments are not safe," the businessmen stated.