MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday thumbed down the appointment of Rafael Mariano as DAR Secretary, according to Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
The CA rejected President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of Mariano three weeks after the appointment of his fellow leftist leader, Department of Social Work and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo was also junked by the powerful commission.
Ten individuals and groups blocked the confirmation of Mariano’s appointment. They are:
–-Noel A. Mallari and others
–-Manuel O. Gallego Jr.
–-Ricardo V. Quintos
–-Rodel Mesa and Angelito Bais
–-Roberto Nidera and others
–-Barangay Sta. Catalina in Tarlac City, Tarlac
–-Barangay Asturias in Tarlac City, Tarlac
–-Barangay Motrico in La Paz, Tarlac
–-Edgar V. Aguas
–-Manolito B. Dagatan and Hernani P. Geronimo
The Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura and the Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita earlier alleged that the “Cojuangcos-Aquinos-Lorenzos are behind moves to oppose” the DAR chief’s confirmation.
The two groups alleged that those who opposed Mariano’s confirmation such as Bais, Mallari, Nidera, Aguas, and the barangay councils of Sta. Catalina, Asturias, and Motrico “are from Hacienda Luisita and the minions of the Cojuangcos-Aquinos-Lorenzos.”
“All of them like their landlord/oligarch patrons are against the decisions of Sec. Mariano…to junk Tarlac Development Corporations’ appeal to exempt 358 hectares from land reform and the revocation of the conversion order of Luisita Realty Corp. (now LLC), Luisita Park Inc. and RCBC for failure to develop the lands covered by the conversion order within 5 years from the date of the said order,” they said.
CA rejection ‘a proof of Duterte’s fealty to landlords, oligarchs’
On Wednesday, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), formerly chaired by Mariano, said the rejection of his appointment “is another proof of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fealty to landlords and oligarchs. Duterte chose to throw away whatever reforms Mariano has started in DAR.”
“The marching order to reject Ka Paeng came directly from Malacanang and President Duterte. Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is among the oppositors to Mariano’s confirmation because her husband Atty. Maneses Carpio, is a legal counsel of Lapanday Foods Corp,” said KMP in a statement.
According to KMP, the landlord Lorenzo family and Lapanday are “strongly contesting” Mariano’s installation of 153 farmer-beneficiaries of the Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. to the landholdings allegedly grabbed by Lapanday in Tagum City.
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