Ipinaglaban ni Cong. Rodante Marcoleta sa budget hearing ng Department of Agrarian reforms ang mga lupang ipinamigay sa mga magsasaka noong panahon pa ni President Quezon ngunit ayaw bitawan ng mga humahawak sa lupa.
Narito ang kanyang sinabi:
“I have a a few clarificatory questions for the Department of Agrarian Reform.
… His representation pointed to a case in Lian, Batangas were a big trtack of land which is supposed to be the source of livelihood of so many farmers in that area, is not being farmed as it should be because of a dispute with several big businesses or big persons that claimed the property. historically, this piece of land was awarded to ther farmers sometime during the time of President Quezon.
I got from DAR’s document that at that time, President Quezon bought that property and was awarded to the farmers. For reasons that cannot be explained, some enterprising individual was able to title or put that property into their names. These are big businesses. I will mention some of their names
Mr. Menardo Jimenez, I think is one of the owners of GMA-7 in occupying 78.4 hectares. Raymund Moreno, 70 hectares Phil Estate and Mega World 156 hecatres Egie garcia 40 hectares Sta Lucia Realty 193 hectares
There is already a final and executory decision by the opffice of the President. In that decision it was ruled that the solicitor general should have those titles cancelled in order for the farmers to be installed. To the credit of the Department of Agrarian reform the pertinent records were already submitted to the office of the Soilicitor General
I was very happy to say the Sol-Gen committed to file the necessary action to cancel the titles.”
“Ang totoo nga po, kaya hindi makagalaw ang mga farmers sapagkat meron silang mga security guards na nakabantay sa lupain na iyon kaya pati po yung joint resolution na ginawa ng DAR, kasama na po ang PNP, kasama na po ang AFP, saka yung DILG ay parang hindi na nagkaroon ng bisa dahil parang mas malakas yung mga private security guards na ininstall ng mga malalaking tao na sila ngayon ang nag-ooccupy sila sa lupa na ‘yan.”