MANILA – Cong. Loren Legarda of Antique confirmed she is running for a Senate seat in the 2022 national elections.
In a statement sent to Panay News, Legarda said her decision to return to her “second home” was made following consultations with political leaders and Antiqueños.
“I confirm that I intend to go back to my second home, which is the Senate, and I have consulted already the political leaders and the people of Antique,” said Legarda.
According to the House Deputy Speaker, by returning to the Senate she would be “bringing national government programs closer to my dear province.”
Senate President and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) acting chairman Vicente Sotto III on Monday said Legarda was among the former senators intending to make a Senate comeback.
“The last time we talked, yes, she’s considering,” Sotto said. “She feels more comfortable in the Senate than in the House, I think. That’s only my opinion, she did not say anything like that, it’s only my deduction.”
A three-termer senator, Legarda was the only female in the Philippines to top two senatorial elections – in 1998 and 2007.
Following the conclusion of her Senate term in 2019, Legarda decided to run for congresswoman in the lone district of Antique and had a landslide victory against Exequiel Javier, the younger brother of slain Antique governor Evelio Javier.
Majority of the laws authored by Legarda in the Senate and the House focused on education, indigenous peoples’ rights and welfare, culture, women’s rights, children’s rights, health, and environment.
Legarda also ran for the vice presidency twice – in 2004 as running mate of actor Fernando Poe Jr., and in 2010 as running mate of former senator Manny Villar. She lost in both races./PN
