Farmers, fisherfolk want impeachment case vs VP to proceed

Last December 11, the Alyansa Agrikultura (AA) agreed with the position that the country’s current senators should take on the critical task of hearing Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.

The AA, founded in 2003, represents farmers and fisherfolk seeking justice and a better life. They are primarily from the rice, corn, coconut, poultry, hogs and fishery sectors.

AA is part of the AgriFisheries Alliance (AFA), which also has under its umbrella the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. which represents agribusiness and the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines, which represents science and academe.

The AFA was responsible for the inclusion of six conditions in the Senate ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership signed on February 21, 2023. Central to these conditions were accountability and transparency.

It is this same accountability that is critical in the ongoing impeachment trial of the Vice President.

Accountability

AA previously cited three indicators which showed that the Department of Agriculture (DA) was remiss in requiring accountability among its ranks. Not much happened until Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. took charge on November 3, 2023.

First, the Commission on Audit stated that one-third of the expenses incurred by the DA have been unliquidated for three consecutive years. Second, an independent study commissioned by then Agriculture Secretary William Dar showed that more than 30 percent of DA projects had significant deficiencies. Third, a 2024 report of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries documented that 35 percent of DA projects monitored by the private sector were either unutilized or underutilized.

Upon assumption into office, Tiu Laurel launched a significant move to address accountability. He has already given show-cause orders to one undersecretary, three assistant secretaries, 10 directors and 33 employees. This intensity on exacting accountability has not been seen before.

Two weeks ago, I went to Leyte and participated for the second year in the private sector monitoring of DA-funded projects. I saw a big change.

Last year, unutilized projects (mostly equipment given to farmers who did not want them, thus indicating waste and corruption) were at a scandalous 28-percent level.

Because of Tiu Laurel’s emphasis on accountability, this has decreased to 2 percent today. In addition, the DA chief has implemented a private sector method of imposing checklists before grants are given. If the DA official does not comply with this, he or she will face serious penalties, including dismissal.

Impeachment

The same principles of justice and truth must be followed during the impeachment trial of Duterte. The Vice President herself had said she needed this trial to clear her name, which may have been unfairly tarnished. We must honor and follow her legitimate wish.

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AA president Arsenio Tanchuling cites the stand of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), signed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno. It also objects strongly to the Senate’s decision to remand the impeachment articles to the House of Representatives.

Philconsa’s reasons were: “(1) grave abuse of discretion; (2) encroachment on the House’s executive power; (3) circumlocutory delay; and (4) due process and impartiality.”

In a statement, the group said: “Is the mere lack of certification from the House of Representatives sufficient to justify the removal of the case and suspension of the trial? … To create such a requirement ex post facto undermines the separation of powers and the rule of law … The importance of accountability of public officials cannot be overstressed.”

Time wasted

There are still 15 days of important work that can be done prior to the end of the senators’ term in the 19th Congress. If they do not do this work, this will have to be done by the next Congress. This will take time away from urgent legislation, especially for the agriculture sector.

The Senators should do their work now so that the next Congress can focus on urgent legislation.

Every day counts. For farmers and fisherfolk who are significantly affected by the impeachment trial, justice and accountability must no longer be made to wait.