Castriciones’ appointment as DAR chief recommended for confirmation

After an executive session, the Senate subcommittee on agrarian reforms decided to recommend to the plenary the confirmation of the appointment of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones.

Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the CA subcommittee on agrarian reforms, said 13 members voted in favor of Castriciones while two opposed.

“Sa executive session, nagkaroon ng secret ballot at nanaig ang kanyang panalo sa pagka-appoint. Na-confirm na siya kasi 13 ‘yung bumoto para sa kanya, dalawa ang nag-object,” Poe told reporters.

She said the oppositions raised against Castriciones during the CA subcommittee hearings were legitimate and the official should address them.

“May mga issues talaga na lehitimo katulad ng pakikipag-usap sa magsasaka na dapat ay gawin niya at ipagpatuloy niya, ‘yung iba sinasabi ‘yung distribution ng land na matagal nang may CLOA (certificate of land ownership award) pero hindi pa nagagawa, maaaring bilisan din niya ‘yun,” Poe said.

“‘Yung mga bagay na ‘yun kahit na ikaw ay ma-confirm dito, kahit na ikaw ay kalihim na, babalik ka pa rin sa Senado para sa budget hearing para matse-check natin,” she added. —KBK, GMA News