MANILA, Feb. 5, 2013—The dismal performance of the Agrarian Reform Chief Virgilio de los Reyes is accountability of no other than President Benigno Aquino III, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said.
Pabillo lamented that despite countless dialogues with Malacanang to expedite the implementation of CARP nothing substantial has been accomplished by the DAR.
Various groups, including farmers and bishops met with Aquino on June 14, 2012 in Malacañang to discuss a faster implementation of CARP, but the President’s promise of a speedy completion of CARP through DAR Secretary de los Reyes fell flat.
“Ito ang ipinaparating namin kay Presidente Aquino dahil sya ang may command of responsibility pero kung sasabihin ng palasyo na naniniwala pa sila sa kasalukuyang pamunuan ng DAR, bandang huli ang mananagot ay ang Malacañan na mismo,” Pabillo, who is also Chairman of National Social Action, Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said.
But a position paper released by Malacañang cited Reyes continues to enjoy President Aquino’s confidence despite criticism from bishops over his department’s “dismal” performance.
“Ang aming tungkuln ay ipaabot sa kanila (Palace) ang nararamdaman ng maraming tao –na sa DAR ay may bara at may problema kaya hindi natutupad ang mga programa ng gobyerno kaya walang katarungan pero kung pinaninindigan pa nila ang nilagay nila dito (Sec. de los Reyes) ibig sabihin sangkot na sila (PNoy) sa ganitong pangyayari. Sila na ngayon ang pananagutin natin at sa bandang huli pag hindi natupad ang pangako ni Pangulo, hindi na ito kasalanan ni Secretary Gil de los Reyes, kasalanan na ito ng Malacañang,” Pabillo furthered.
The bishop also urged the Aquino administration to fix the problem between de los Reyes and his employees, as well as the farmers’ concerns.
“Dapat nang ayusin ang pamumuno dito sa DAR. Mabagal ang performance, kita naman sa track record. Kung in support pa rin ang presidente (Pnoy) ibig sabihin pananagutan na ng Malacañang kung anuman ang mangyari, at kung hindi maipapatupad ang pangako tungkol sa CARP….ibig sabihin sila (palace) ang may gustong hwag ipatupad yan,” Pabillo said.
The bishops are supporting the farmers’ struggles and urged the Aquino administration to enforce the law of justice. [SocialActionNews]
