CARPER Jeepney Circles Batasan While New Party-List Solons Take their Oath

The farmers from Sumilao, Banasi and Calatagan embellished their jeepney with several streamers calling for the immediate enactment of the CARP Extension with Reforms (House Bill 4077) by the Congress.  On top of the CARPER Jeepney were the statements “Ano Na Lang Ang Lalamanin Ng Mga Kalderong Ito Kung Ang Lupa Ay Ibibigay Sa Mga Banyaga?” written on empty pots and pans symbolizing the farmers outraged against House Resolution 737 which favors the interest of foreigners over poor Filipino farmers in the possession and ownership of lands in the country.  Some of the farmers also sat on top of the CARPER Jeepney chanting “PASS CARPER NOW!” while making noise barrage using pots, pans and laddle.  The CARPER Jeepney proceeded from CARITAS-Manila and roamed around Quezon Avenue and Quezon City Elliptical Road, before finally proceeding to the Batasan.

While in the DAR Central Office, around 50 farmers from PAKISAMA also joined the caravan of the CARPER Jeepney to the Batasan.  But before proceeding to the Congress, some farmers placed a huge streamer on the QC overpass and St. Peter’s Church overpass were it read “YES TO CARPER! NO TO CHA-CHA!” 

Upon arrival of the CARPER Jeepney at the Congress, the farmers went inside the Session Hall to observe any proceedings on CARPER.  However, the session of the House of Representatives was suspended to give way to the oath-taking of at least 25 party-list solons as new members of the House of Representatives by virtue of the recent Supreme Court ruling.  The other partly-list representatives were not yet included as they have pending disqualification cases before the COMELEC. 

Among the new representatives are identified supporters of agrarian reform and the farmers are happy of the possible increase of CARP advocates at the lower house.  AKBAYAN Representative Walden Bello also approached the farmer groups in the gallery showing his support to the CARPER Bill.  ABA-AKO Representative Leony Montemayor also gave a privilege speech immediately after taking his oath and stated that the CARPER Bill is a must and should be enacted as soon as possible. 

Due to the increase of the number of solons, House Bill 4077 needs at least 132 votes in House of Representatives and at least 12 votes in the Senate in order to be legislated.  As of today, the number of solons who had publicly expressed support for the CARPER Bill (House Bill 4077) is 107 while there are already 17 senators who vowed to support Senate Bill 2666, the senate counterpart of the CARPER Bill.

CARPER Signature Campaign & Congress Watch

As of today, the farmers were able to gather 65,098 signatures in support of CARP Extension with Reforms and have become more emboldened in their quest for social justice as more and more individual citizens and sectors walk with them in their struggle.

The leadership of Congress (Senate President Enrile and House Speaker Nograles) on separate occasions categorically announced their commitment to enact immediately an agrarian reform extension with reforms law that reinstates compulsory acquisition being the heart and soul of agrarian reform.  They have likewise expressed that the law will be enacted before June 2009.

Last March 20, known anti-CARP Representatives Pablo Garcia (Cebu), and Luis Villafuerte (Camarines Sur) also pledged to bring back Compulsory Acquisition (CA) before Senate President Enrile during a special meeting called by the Senator.  The said Congresspersons also stated that they are not really against CARP but they merely want to ensure that the law is reformed.  Rep. Arthur Defensor (3^rd District, Iloilo) also expressed his support for CARP Extension with Reforms but said that crucial reforms should be put in place to ensure justice for all stakeholders of the program, including the landowners. 

Representatives Prospero Nograles (Davao), Ma. Amelita Villarosa (Mindoro Occidental), Michael John Duavit (Rizal), Robert Raymund Estrella (ABONO), Alejandro Marañon (Negros Occidental), Conrado Estrella (Pangasinan), Jeffrey Ferrer (Negros Occidental), and Andres Salvacion (Northern Leyte) were present during the lunch meeting with the Bishops on 2 April 2009 where the House Speaker committed to enacting the CARPER Bill before June 6.

The latest additions were present during the meetings at the Senate (Villafuerte, Garcia and Defensor) and the House wherein all the legislators present were unanimous in restoring compulsory acquisition into the CARP.

Together with the commitment of the Senate President to enact CARPER before June 2009, there are now a total of 15 Senators who had given their assurance to the bishops that they will help ensure that a new CARP law will be enacted, with compulsory acquisition restored, and with at least P147 billion budgetary allocation.