MANILA, Philippines--Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman has recommended to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she not sign a congressional joint resolution extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and allow it to lapse into law.

The Dec. 17 joint resolution, which extends CARP for six months from Dec. 31, 2008 minus the compulsory acquisition and distribution mode, has set off a furor among farmers and agrarian reform advocates.

This virtually amends the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, and makes the distribution of land optional, they say.

Pangandaman's recommendation, contained in a memorandum released by Malacañang, was apparently aimed at preempting a backlash from Catholic bishops and non-government organizations that have taken up the farmers' cause.

Pangandaman could not be reached for comment. Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, however, said that the recommendation could have come from Pangandaman, but could not say yet if Arroyo would follow it.

"If the Executive Secretary released it, that came from Pangandaman. But what the President will do, we're not yet aware of," he said in a phone interview, adding the joint resolution has not reached Malacañang. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said since the resolution has the effect of a law, "The President will not do anything but respect both Houses of Congress for such a joint resolution."

Earlier in the day, Ermita released copies of a Dec. 10 memorandum from Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and the unsigned Dec. 23 memorandum purportedly from Pangandaman.

In his memorandum to the President, Gonzalez said that only the funding, not the CARP, would expire on Dec. 31 this year. But he said there's a need to enact new legislation to address the expiration of funding. The memorandum supposedly from Pangandaman details the history of CARP, and mentions the joint resolution which extends CARP for land offered under the voluntary offer to sell and voluntary land transfer. It says that it "modified" the original resolution certified by the President extending CARP as it is, which includes the compulsory acquisition and distribution.

Item 6 of the memorandum states: "If the President signs the Resolution, it would appear that she is concurring with the act of Congress, contrary to the Resolution which she certified. This may not sit well with some bishops, farmers and NGOs, who are advocating the extension of CARP in its present status, i.e., including compulsory land acquisition."

Item 8 states: "Sec. Pangandaman respectfully recommends that the President not sign the Resolution and just allow it to lapse, arguing that what will terminate on Dec. 31, 2008 is not the CARP program, but only its funding source."

An official, who asked not to be named, confirmed that Pangandaman made the recommendation to the President not to sign the joint resolution and allow it to lapse into law.

"Ten days after receipt of the resolution, the President can veto it, or approve it, or not sign it. Then it lapses into law. The message she wants to send is that she still wants to insist on her original certification," the official said. In the briefing, Ermita said that the joint resolution - having gone through the usual legislative process of approving a bill – has the "effect of law."

"During the six months period, we're hoping the leaders of Congress, especially those in charge of the issue of CARP, will be able to think out the reforms needed so that when the six months expire, and they go on deliberation, then they will be prepared. By that time, we can see the features that we're looking for," he said.