AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano is set to face the Commission on Appointments for the first time on Wednesday, with at least 10 oppositions filed against his nomination.
In a notice of meeting published by the CA, it listed 10 oppositions, three of which are separate resolutions issued by three barangays in Tarlac.
Publication of the notice coincided with a concern raised by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio that leftist lawmakers at the House of Representatives had “practically” broken their alliance with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Interviewed during the launching of the Movement Against Tyranny Coalition in Quezon City on Monday, Tinio said this was due to Duterte’s pronouncements on certain issues and other progressive matters.
Leftist lawmakers at the House, collectively called the Makabayan bloc, are part of the House supermajority led by allies of Duterte.
The seven-member group includes Tinio and fellow ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Bayan Muna’s Carlos Zarate, Gabriela Women’s Party’s Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis’ Ariel Casilao and Kabataan’s Sarah Elago.
Tinio said there was no longer basis to continue the alliance with Duterte, given the President’s stance on several issues that the Makabayan bloc feels strongly against.
Tinio said they had yet to decide whether they would join the Magnificent 7 or the Minority bloc in case they formally withdraw their support to the Duterte administration.
The oppositions against Mariano were filed by the following:
1. Joint sworn opposition of Mr. Noel A. Mallari, et al.;
2. Sworn opposition of Mr. Manuel O. Gallego, Jr.;
3. Sworn opposition of Mr. Ricardo V. Quintos;
4. Joint sworn opposition of Mr. Rodel Mesa and Mr. Angelito Bais;
5. Joint sworn opposition of Roberto Nidera, et al.;
6. Barangay Resolution of Barangay Sta. Catalina, Tarlac City, Tarlac
7. Barangay Resolution of Barangay Asturias, Tarlac City, Tarlac
8. Barangay Resolution of Barangay Motrico, La Paz, Tarlac
9. Sworn opposition of Mr. Edgar V. Aguas
10. Joint sworn opposition of Mr. Manolito B. Dagatan and Mr. Hernani P. Geronimo
In a text message, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said it would be difficult for the CA to come up with a decision by Wednesday.
“We have to listen first,” Sotto, chairman of the CA committee on agrarian reform, said.
Members of the Makabayan bloc earlier said they expected Mariano, former Anakpawis Party-list solon, to be rejected by the CA.
Tinio said the opposition would likely come from the “pro-landlord” House contingent of the bicameral CA.