MAGSASAKA PARTYLIST HOLDS SPECIAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND VICTORY PARTY AFTER SC RULING ON ITS REPRESENTATIVE

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Magsasaka Partylist held a special general assembly and victory party led by Atty. Argel Cabatbat, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that Soliman Villamin Jr. was validly removed from his position as National Chairperson.

The assembly featured the former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary and Chairman of the Federation of Free Farmers, Leonardo Montemayor, and Ariel Querubin, the most decorated military hero in Philippine history. Both expressed their support for the partylist.

A total of 7,996 delegates from Region 3, including Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Aurora, attended the event.

Cabatbat highlighted that Magsasaka Partylist genuinely represents the interests of Filipino farmers, calling the SC’s decision a significant victory not just for the party but for farmers nationwide.

“Ang may-ari ng Magsasaka Partylist ay ang mga magsasaka. Kayo ang dapat masunod. Kayo ang dapat pakinggan. Nasa inyo ang desisyon kung sino ang gusto ninyong mamuno. Hindi tayo katulad ng ibang partylist na pagmamay-ari ng iilan lamang,” he said.

“Ang pagkapanalo sa Supreme Court ay pagkapanalo ng mga magsasaka, pagkapanalo ninyo,” Cabatbat added.

Farmers who attended the assembly also reiterated their demand for council leaders’ elections, as promised during the event on August 11 in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Earlier, the Supreme Court released a decision stating that Soliman Villamin Jr. was validly removed from his position as National Chairperson of Magsasaka Partylist and that his first nominee, Roberto Gerard Nazal Jr., cannot be the partylist’s representative.

“While the COMELEC has limited jurisdiction over intra-party leadership disputes, it does not mean that COMELEC can substitute its judgment for that of the Party. The COMELEC cannot disregard the Party’s actions simply because these do not appear to be in line with the COMELEC’s interpretation of the Party’s Saligang Batas. A party must be allowed to interpret its own governing rules and remove officials from participating in its affairs,” stated the decision penned by Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez.

In 2021, Villamin was expelled by Magsasaka in a general assembly due to his family corporation’s involvement in anomalous activities.

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