At the Commission on Appointments’ plenary session, Sen. Lacson delivered co-sponsorship speeches for the confirmation of Sen. Lorna Regina Legarda (PAF reserve colonel) and Rep. Roy Loyola (PA reserve colonel).
Co-Sponsorship Speech for the Confirmation of Lt. Col. Lorna Regina B. Legarda
to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force (Reserve)
Mr. Chairman, when brains and beauty combine in a person’s well-being, it may be difficult not to take notice, especially when she speaks on matters and issues closest to her heart: environment.
Mr. Chairman and esteemed colleagues of this uniquely generouos and kindhearted body, at least in today’s confirmation hearing, it is my distinct honor and privilege to second the motion that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of Lt. Col. Lorna Regina B. Legarda, to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force (Reserve).
Daring and passionate. This is how our distinguished colleague from the province of Antique, Sen. Legarda, was portrayed by People Asia magazine on the cover of their latest issue.
With our nominee’s outstanding record as a topnotch senator, environmental champion, indigenous peoples advocate, peacebuilder, and a lot more, I’ll bet my bottom peso that no one would disagree to the observations made by one of the country’s finest magazines.
She has remained committed to pursuing excellence, as shown by her impressive academic background back from her early school days up until the time when she graduated at the top of her class at the National Defense College of the Philippines with Master’s Degree in National Security Administration, which earned her the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In her 20 years as a public servant, the Filipino people have seen her passion in pushing for the passage of the following key legislations:
* Philippine Climate Change Act
* People’s Survival Fund Act
* Ecological Solid Waste Management Act
* Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and its expanded version
* Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
As her vice chairman in the Senate Committee on Finance, I’d say that my professional ties with our nominee can be likened to a love-hate relationship. How many times have we stood up and spoken out our minds from different sides of the table? I’d say not a few. At times, we agree; many times, we simply agree to disagree.
However, Mr. Chairman, at the end of the day, I see our nominee as a woman of action – a doer and a mover.
Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is for these reasons and more that I second the recommendation that this body give its consent to the appointment of Lt. Col. Lorna Regina B. Legarda, PAF (Reserve) to the rank of Colonel of the Philippine Air Force (Reserve).
I so move, Mr. Chairman.
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Co-Sponsorship Speech for the Confirmation of Lt. Col. Roy Loyola
to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve)
Mr. Chairman, it is also my honor and privilege to second the motion that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of Lt. Col. Roy M. Loyola, to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army (Reserve).
They say it takes a long time to grow an old friend. I dare say that our nominee, Congressman Roy M. Loyola, is one of mine. I have known him from a long way back, perhaps too long, that I have already heard of all his oft-repeated jokes and banters.
Between you and me, Mr. Chairman, Congressman Roy has two ways to win the hearts of his friends, relatives and constituents – I am tempted to go further and say ladies. Yes, our nominee is the most amazing lady killer I’ve seen in my whole life, either through his good sense of humor or his mouth-watering binalot or rice and adobo wrapped in banana leaves.
Everyone knows that Congressman Loyola is a good dose of comic relief. And it is a fact that good humor befits the intelligent and perceptive people such as our nominee.
A lawyer by profession and a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, he has modestly achieved his calling as a public servant.
He is a fellow Caviteño who has served as the Municipal Mayor of Carmona, Cavite for more than a decade, starting with his three consecutive terms from 1995 until 2004 and another term from 2007 to 2010. He was later elected as the first Representative of the newly created 5th District of Cavite in 2010.
Under his leadership, Carmona’s economy has grown from a quaint agricultural to a highly commercialized and industrialized town. From what we know as one of the smallest towns in the province of Cavite, Carmona is now a first-class municipality, a high revenue earner and a major contributor in the economic activity of Cavite.
His exemplary performance as local chief executive earned him the following:
* Presidential Dangal ng Bayan Award (1999)
* Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award (2009), both conferred by the Civil Service Commission
* Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence (2003)
* General Emilio Aguinaldo Outstanding Achievement Award for Industrial Development (2006)
* Apolinario Mabini Award (2008), among others.
Mr. Chairman and distinguished colleagues, it is to this end that I second the motion that this body give its consent to the appointment of Lt. Col. Roy M. Loyola the rank of Colonel of the Philippine Army (Reserve).
I so move, Mr. Chairman.
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