Monday, December 22, 2008 Farmers warned on questioning Carp extension in court
POLITICAL adviser Gabriel Claudio on Sunday warned that farmers planning to question the joint resolution extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) by only six months may imperil the entire program as it is already set to lapse by the end of the month.
Claudio said while it is the right of the farmers to seek redress from the courts, especially if they feel aggrieved by a mere six months extension, they should rethink their plans and consider the consequences of their actions.
"We will respect and even defend the exercise of that right. However, perhaps the protesting parties might also wish to consider if a case filed against the terms of such extension will not imperil the extension itself," he said.
He reminded that Carp is already set to expire and Congress, which would draw up the needed law to extend the program, has already gone on recess.
Claudio reiterated that six months is better as it would give Congress and the concerned sectors more time to come up with a better piece of legislation.
"Despite the imperfections of its terms, the extension given by Congress keeps the program alive and open for reforms and improvements in its implementation," he added.
The lawyers of Task Force Mapalad are planning to question the joint resolution passed by Congress which extends Carp by six months, claiming that it is violative of the Constitution as it only extends the funding and drops the land acquisition aspect.
Prior to the passage of the joint resolution, the Carp law initially expired on June 13, but a congressional joint resolution declaring and clarifying that agrarian reform program would expire in December 2008 was passed in August, allowing the land distribution aspect to continue. (JMR/Sunnex)
