Two earnest young senators started big on environment issues in the 8th Congress, the first Congress after martial rule, and which started real and serious work in 1987. They were Heherson Alvarez and Orlando Mercado. Both were former student activists and anti-Marcos dissenters. Mercado fought from the trenches while doing broadcasting work and Alvarez had to flee to the US aboard a cargo ship to avoid arrest and detention. He was with the group of US-based exiles derided by Marcos as the “ Steak Commandos.”

After their election to the senate in 1987, they chose to walk the legislative path not taken – environmental issues.

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