Farming in
the Philippines

Farmers warn PCGG on
GMA-Danding double edge trap

by Rafael Mariano, KMP National Chairperson
December 7, 2001

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) today, warned the Philippine Commission on Good Government (PCGG) from falling into the double edged trap of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's and Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

The KMP said the PCGG is both dancing with the compromising position of the President and playing into the hands of Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco's dirty tricks to push the government for an out-of-court settlement on the P130 billion coconut levy funds.

KMP Chair Rafael Mariano said, "as the PCGG states its objectionable position, vis-a-vis the compromise deal, they (PC8G) must not fall into entertaining Ms. Macapagal and Cojuangco's well-orchestrated entrapment plan. Cojuangco and his cohorts are aware that the Macapagal-Arroyo government comes from a position of weakness and will have no options left but to negotiate with them."

Mariano said, "the PCG6 must immediately resolve within its power, jurisdiction, and means the coco levy issue without entering into any compromise or negotiation with Cojuangco.

The only acceptable permanent solution for small coconut farmers is on the basis of principle, justice, and truth that the small coconut farmers are the rightful owners and beneficiaries of the coco levy funds."

Mariano stressed "the Macapagal administration's open recognition of Cojuangco's so-called right to the coco levy funds is a complete betrayal of public trust and interest."

"The President has completely betrayed the people who catapulted her to power. She is now selling the small coconut farmers interest in exchange of her political ambitions and hunger for power," he added.

"We will not allow Ms. Macapagal to easily escape from the coco levy scandal and provide a bit of space for political accommodation with the Estrada and Cojuangco camp. The peasantry will hold the Macapagal-Arroyo government accountable to the people for this betrayal," the peasant leader added.

"The small coconut farmers, message is loud and clear. Any kind of compromise with plunderers is highly immoral and unacceptable."

The KMP maintains that "the coconut levy funds are ill-gotten and squeezed out from small coconut farmers in a form of tax. Cojuangco and his cohorts do not have any single right on the funds."

Editor's note: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a member of an elite organization.

Kilusang Maghubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
Peasant Movement of the Philippines
URL: http://www.geocities.com/kmp_ph

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