Bishops should talk to Congress about agrarian reform bills –Palace

Roman Catholic bishops should pressure Congress, not the executive branch, about passing agrarian reform bills, Malacañang said Monday.

At a press briefing, presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Aquino III had already “shown intent” and undertaken “immediate action” on bills being backed by bishops after meeting with agrarian reform advocates last year.

Lacierda particularly pointed out that Aquino had already certified as urgent House Bill 4296, which renews the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) authority to issue notices of coverage.

“You’re delving into the legislative responsibility which we can’t persuade, or ask them to hasten... Perhaps the bishops can also enjoin the congressional leaders to also pass the bill,” he said when asked how Aquino can respond to the bishops’ call to action on agrarian reform.

Aquino’s spokesman also did not give a categorical answer when asked about the prospects of the President meeting with Congress leaders to push for the passage of agrarian reform bills.

On Sunday, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a letter calling on Aquino and Congress to pass two pending land reform measures.

Aside from House Bill 4296, the bishops are also pushing for the enactment of House Bill 4375, which seeks to create an independent Agrarian Reform Commission to review the accomplishment of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Focus on issuing notices of coverage

Lacierda was also noncommittal when asked if Aquino would also certify House Bill 4296 as urgent.

He said the administration is inclined to focus on issuing notices of coverage first before forming a body to review the CARP.

"The bill for the extension looks forward. May mga hectarage na hindi pa natin nako-cover. Let’s look forward. Let’s try to cover them,” Lacierda said.

“'Yung isang House bill is to review, is to look backwards. Ano ba ang pagkukulang? Siguro ang priority natin is to look forward and to ensure that the notices of coverage be issued to all properties, all lands which have not been covered,” he added.

Aquino’s spokesman also pointed out that the DAR has already been reviewing the CARP, even without the formation of the independent agrarian reform body.

Pressed further for concrete actions from Malacañang in response to the bishops’ call, Lacierda also pledged to ask the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office to coordinate with Congress on the status of the agrarian reform bills. —KBK, GMA News