Farmers’ Call for CARPER Pin Hopes on Senate

Amidst the current chaos at the House of Representatives regarding the amendment of the Constitution, the farmers pin their hope on the Senate for the enactment of the CARP Extension with Reforms.  The farmers from Sumilao, Banasi and Calatagan, together with other farmer groups, to wit, Samahan ng Mamamayang Nagkakaisa sa Barangay Sumalo (SAMANABASU), Youth for the Upliftment of Declining Agriculture (YUDA), KASAMAKA-Canlubang, Samahan ng Magsasaka, Mangingisda, Kababaihan at Kabataan sa Mariveles (SAMMAKA), Samahang 53 Ektarya ng Macabud, Kilusang Mangbubukid ng Bondoc Peninsula (KMBP), Pagsusulong ng Tunay na Repormang Agraryo sa Gitnang Luzon (PARAGOS-PILIPINAS), and the Reform CARP Movement (RCM), attended the session of the Senate yesterday to press for the immediate enactment of Senate Bill 2666—the Senate’s version of CARP Extension with Reforms authored by Sen. Gringo Honasan.  At least 120 farmers attended the session.

Although Senate Bill 2666 was not taken up during the session, the farmers were able to talk with certain Senators just before and after the cacus. The farmers personally approached the following Senators: Senator Gringo Honasan, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Sen. Eduardo Angara, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, and Sen. Lito Lapid.

Senator Honasan, who visited the farmers at the Padilla Room before the session, said to the farmers “Ipagpatuloy namin ang pagpapasa ng CARPER sa Senado, Basta magtulungan lang po tayo. Sana ay huwag ninyo kaming pababayaan sa pakikibakang ito.”  Senate Bill 266 is principally authored by the senator. He was the former Chair of the Committee on Agrarian Reform. Now that Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is the Committee Chair, Sen. Honasan is still at the forefront of pushing for the enactment of CARPER.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also approached Bishop Antonio Ledesma (Cagayan de Oro) who was with the farmers in the Senate Hall after the session.  Sen. Enrile reiterated his firm statement that the Senate will pass its version of the CARPER Bill on time, as he promised last March 20.  When asked on the position of the Senate on talks regarding an alleged proposal of the House to have a moratorium on Compulsory Acquisition (CA) for 2 years, Sen. Enrile immediately rejected any proposal to suspend Compulsory Acquisition as a primary mode of CARP.  The Senate will enact its version before June this year.

Sen. Miriam Santiago also assured the farmers of her support for CARP extension.  In fact, she previously filed her version of the bill at the Senate.  The Senator added that she has read the latest version of the bill and agreed to most of the provisions of the bill except for one provision for which she will submit her recommendations during the senate deliberation.  Sen. Lito Lapid also gave a two thumbs-up to CARPER and said that he just had a discussion recently with Sen. Santiago on the matter.

The Sumilao farmers also approached Sen. Migz Zubiri, the Senator from Bukidnon, and the latter told them that the Senate’s version of the CARPER bill is a top priority of the Senate but the recent “word war” of the senators regarding the Villar issue had placed on hold all proposed legislations at the Senate, including CARP.  After the Senators’ caucus, however, Sen. Zubiri said that the Senate could already deliberate on the pending bills as the Senators have settled the Ethics Committee’s concerns.  Sen. Jamby Madrigal expressed full support to the farmers saying that this legislation should be passed immediately as it is an essential measure.

Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Alan Cayetano and Sen. Estrada, when approached by the farmers, all said that the bill is already prioritized by the Senate. Sen. Lacson said that they will deliver on the promise made by the Senate President to the bishops on March 20.

Meanwhile, when the farmers asked for Sen. Ed Angara’s support, he asked for additional information, position papers and other materials on CARP including the farmers’ individual cases.  Although Sen. Noynoy Aquino took some time talking with the farmers from Calatagan and Sumilao, he said to the farmers that he abstained during the senate voting regarding Joint Resolution No. 1—which extended CARP until June 2009 but excluded CA as a mode for land acquisition- because of a possible conflict of interest on his part.  The Senator was apparently referring to their family owned Hacienda Luisita Estate in Tarlac, which until now, are managed by the Aquinos.

The farmers’ lobbying efforts at the Senate proved productive as several Senators assured them of support until the bill is passed at the Senate. There are now a total of 17 Senators who support the cause of the farmers, such number being more than sufficient for the enactment of CARP Extension with Reforms at the Upper House.