50K Batangas farmers reject eviction order
THOUSANDS of farmers from three haciendas formerly owned by publicly listed Roxas and Company Inc. in Nasugbu, Batangas have rejected a Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) order that would cause their eviction from their Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)-awarded lands.
Their lawyer, Mario Bernardo Cerro, on Friday told members of the Quezon City Press Club in a press conference at a local restaurant that some 50,000 farmers — mostly holders of certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) from the three disputed haciendas stand to be affected by the order.
With Cerro were Carlito Caisip, president of the Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Hacienda Roxas Inc. (Kamahari); and Lauro Martin, president of the Damayan ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Roxas-National Federation of Sugar Workers (Damba-NFSW) who earlier filed an omnibus motion with motion for reconsideration of the 63page consolidated order of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella 3rd.
The January 2024 order has directed the provincial agrarian reform program officer (Parpo) to consolidate the six certificates of titles for Hacienda Caylaway, Hacienda Palico and Hacienda Banilad, the cancellation of previously issued CLOAs and redistribution of 1,322 hectares, representing half of the aggregate land for distribution.
The order subsequently allowed Roxas and Company Inc. to keep the other half covering a total 1,322 hectares.
Cerro said the farmers’ motion for reconsideration cited as grounds the fact that all agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Barangay Aga and covered by Hacienda Caylaway did not consent to the voluntary withdrawal of all pending cases that paved the way for the consolidated order.
“With all due respect, respondents were misrepresented by their former counsel in agreeing to the voluntary submission for the consolidated order,” the motion for reconsideration stated.
Cerro also said that the DAR chief allegedly committed grave abuse of discretion in evading the positive duty directed by the Supreme Court in GR (general register) 127876 and the consolidated order brushed aside final and executory judgments in the same case and the consolidated cases in GR 149598, 167505, 167540, 167543, 167845 and 179650.
In rendering the decision, the DAR chief said decades of judicial hostilities that have been alternately instigated and endured by the principal parties — the two clashing protagonists — the landowner, on one hand, and the ARBs, on the other, are now to see closure.
“Their clamor has been heeded, elusive justice now finally achieved and secured. The time, resources, energies, and efforts spent in unceasing argumentation are now to come to a halt and justice dispensed equitably,” the order stated.
The same consolidated order states that qualified ARBs are rendered free of payment of any amortization under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act of 2023.
The DAR chief also ordered the Nasugbu Parpo to issue a certificate of condonation with release of mortgage to each ARB to clear their names of debt.
“The ARBs are hereby ordered to vacate the areas outside the ½ portion awarded to them and are enjoined to peacefully turn over the physical possession to Roxas and Company Inc.,” the order states.
Likewise, Roxas and Company Inc. is ordered to vacate the portion outside their 1/2 share and to turn over the physical possession to the ARBs.
However, the farmers argued that their former counsel committed fraud and deception, Cerro told reporters.
“They were misled by their former lawyer who never consulted them of his plan to withdraw all cases and submit to the jurisdiction of the DAR secretary,” Cerro said.
The farmers have vowed to go after their former counsel, Cerro added.