House approves CARP extension

MANILA, Philippines – Voting 211-13-2, the House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on third and final reading the bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) for another five years. The chamber also gave in P100 billion in funding for land acquisition and distribution, support services, agrarian justice delivery, and other funding requirements during the five-year extension period. Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the approval of the bill was "a day of victory for the farmers." "This is a day of victory for the farmers. Today they're reaping the fruit of their long march to Manila in search of justice and to teach our lawmakers the meaning of justice," said Hontiveros, one of the primary authors of House Bill 4077. Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia, one of the staunchest opponents of HB 4077, surprisingly voted in favor of its passage. “House Bill 4077 is not the kind of bill I would have loved and praised. In fact, it is recorded that I am one of its staunchest opponents. However, Mister Speaker, I have now realized that in life one does not always get what he wants. And so it is with our work here in this House, for legislation is the art of the impossible," said Garcia in his explanation of vote. "If we cannot have what we like, then for the moment, let us like what we can have. I vote yes, Mister Speaker," he said. “That extension is better than having no extension at all," said Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, one of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s sons, in his explanation of his ‘yes’ vote. "Sellout" Among those who opposed HB 4077 were members of the progressive party-list bloc, who had earlier tried to insert key features of their own Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) into the measure on the floor. “I am here to protect the rights and the interests of the farmers, and I will do so without compromise, especially if there is a sellout," said Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño in his explanation of his 'no' vote. During the period of amendments, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza moved to amend the bill to expand the scope of the agrarian reform program’s coverage, but this was struck down through a viva voce voting. Other members of the bloc also tried to insert GARB features in HB 4077 such as the free distribution of land, but these were also struck down by the House. The nominal voting for the bill's passage came right after the House approved it on second reading through viva voce or oral voting. During the period of amendments, all the changes proposed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of HB 4077’s primary authors, were approved by the plenary. Coverage The bill covers all public and private agricultural lands as provided in Proclamation 131 and Executive Order No. 229, including other lands of the public domain suitable for agriculture. It says that prioritization of coverage “is not necessary," and that after June 30, 2009, the modes of acquisition will be limited to voluntary offer to sell and compulsory acquisition. It also creates a joint congressional oversight committee that would be composed of three members each from the Senate and the House. HB 4077 is one of the priority measures that the House leadership wants to act upon before the adjournment of Congress session on June 6.The Senate approved its own version of the bill on Monday night. Bicam According to Hontiveros' office, the Senate bicameral panel that will join CARP proponents in the House in reconciling the two chambers' versions on Thursday will be composed of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Rodolfo Biazon, Gregorio Honasan, Pia Cayetano, Francis Pangilinan, and Aquilino Pimentel Jr. The House panel, meanwhile, will be composed of Lagman, Hontiveros, Garcia, Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, Apayao Rep. Elias Bulut Jr., Rizal Rep. Michael John Duavit, and Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III. The consolidated bill will be ratified when session resumes in late July. - GMANews.TV