DAR chief remains hopeful for CA confirmation

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Rualo Castriciones. INQUIRER.net PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA

Agrarian Reform Secretary John Rualo Castriciones said he is now leaving his fate up to the Lord after he failed to get the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday.

The CA’s committee on agrarian reform chaired by Senator Grace Poe held an executive session to discuss Castriciones’ confirmation but it failed to come up with any recommendations.

Despite this, the nominee remained hopeful that the Commission would decide in his favor when Poe’s panel resumes its hearings.

“Of course I’m hopeful,” Castriciones told reporters. “I’m praying to the Lord that if it’s still my destiny to help and contribute to the resolution of the problems with regards to agrarian reform issues then hopefully if I’ll be confirmed, I will put into actions whatever plan is necessary in order to help alleviate the status of our farmers.”

Asked if the deferment of his confirmation would affect the work of the department, Castriciones said: “Of course, it has an effect because it will probably demoralize some of our employees, subordinates but we will continue to do our advocacy, our duties and functions.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson, in a separate interview, said the committee decided to defer Castriciones’ confirmation as some members remained “not satisfied” with the latter’s answers regarding his qualifications and experience.

“May mga issues pang hindi na resolved like yung qualification, experience… Minor lang naman,” Lacson he said.

(There are issues that remain unresolved… but it’s just minor.)

READ: ‘Unresolved’ issues vs DAR chief leave appointment hanging

“Merong members na hindi satisfied…Eh ni-respect na lang namin ung members na hindi pa satisfied,” the senator added.

(There are members who are not satisfied… We are just respecting the members who are still not satisfied.) /jpv

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