Friday, January 02, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
MILITANT lawmakers on New Years Day expressed doubt that a genuine Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) bill would be passed in the next six months.
Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros said it is improper for lawmakers to give farmers false hope after Congress adopted Joint Congressional Resolution 19, which suspended compulsory land acquisition.
“That is a big question considering the majority stand of the representatives versus compulsory land acquisition. It may be hard to push genuine agrarian reform bill in the next six months,” Ocampo said in a text message.
But Speaker Prospero Nograles, one of the principal authors of the joint resolution, reiterated his commitment to work for a genuine and responsive new CARP law in the next six months.
Before Congress went on a month-long Christmas break last December 19, the House of Representatives adopted the joint resolution through 111 against 34 voting and one abstention.
It extends Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program for six months or until June 30, 2009 but without compulsory land acquisition.
However, Hontiveros explained that Congress could have used the last six months of 2008 in deliberating a genuine CARP law if it is indeed sincere in uplifting the plight of the farmers.
“It [Congress] already removed compulsory acquisition of land in the joint resolution and it could have studied the bill if it had wanted to in the last six months,” she said.
Earlier, Hontiveros accused the group of Ocampo which includes militant Anakpawis and Gabriela party-list groups of strongly lobbying for the dismissal of the five-year CARP extension.
Ocampo’s group is pushing for a Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill and against simply extending the present law for the next five years as supported by Hontiveros.-- Sammy Martin
