Legarda confirms reelection bid, says no to higher post

Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday said she no longer plans to seek higher position in the future and instead will just run for reelection in the 2013 midterm elections.   "Yes, I am running for reelection in 2013, my last term," said Legarda, who ran for vice president in 2004, during an interview with reporters.   She made the confirmation after Vice President Jejomar Binay, who heads the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), reportedly listed her as one of the candidates who will run under his party.   Even though they have yet to talk formally on the matter, Legarda said she and Binay have a standing agreement to work together again in 2013.   Binay was the campaign manager of Legarda and the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 elections. They lost to former Vice President Noli de Castro and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, respectively. Binay, a former Makati mayor, also created the United Opposition (UNO), under which Legarda ran in 2007.   “We’ve always been together since 2004. That’s consistent,” Legarda said of Binay. “Sabi niya there’s no reason kung bakit tayo maghihiwalay pa.”   She added that Binay “is someone I regard highly and respect as a very hardworking public servant.” Legarda said she will no longer seek higher position even when she can no longer run as senator.   “Never. Yan ang maski ilagay mo sa isang gintong plato, thanks but no thanks. Kasi I know where I belong and I say it with all sincerity really. You know what's for you and you know what's not for you,” she said. Plans for last term   Legarda said if she will be elected again, she will monitor the implementation of the laws that she helped pass in the chamber.   "I want to continue serving in the Senate, and in my last term ang gagawin ko at bibigyan ko ng focus at prayoridad yung magmonitor, pag-iimplement ng ating mga batas na nagawa," she said. These laws include the Solid Management Law, Climate Change Act, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Barangay Kabuhayan Law, and Tropical Fabric Law.   “I will make sure that… these laws are funded, implemented and help the people in the grassroots,” Legarda said. — KBK, GMA News