By Liza Soriano
MANILA — The Magsasaka Partylist officially submitted its list of nominees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, naming Atty. Argel Cabatbat as their top candidate for the House of Representatives.
The group expressed confidence that Cabatbat is the right choice to represent the farming community.
Cabatbat, who serves as chairman of the Magsasaka Party-list, led the filing, accompanied by fellow Council of Leaders members Mario Palacay and Reynaldo Dela Peña.
This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling affirming the removal of Soliman Villamin Jr. from his position as National Chairperson. The High Court declared that Villamin could no longer act as a representative for the group, citing his valid removal from leadership.
The official nominees for the Magsasaka Party-list include:
1. Argel Joseph Cabatbat – Incumbent Representative of Magsasaka Party-list, Farmers’ Lawyer
2. Ariel T. Cayanan – Former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary
3. Dante A. Lazatin – Regional Manager, Irrigators Association, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System, and a farmer
4. Rafael Naral – Former Mayor of Anao, Tarlac, and farmer
5. Reynaldo Dela Peña – Farmer-leader, President of Farmers Association, Orion, Bataan
6. Dennis Zuñiga – Chairman of the Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Aurora Province
7. Mario Palacay – Farmer and former Chairman of the Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Council, Floridablanca, Pampanga
8. George G. Cabatbat – Farmer and former Councilor of Guimba, Nueva Ecija
9. Mark Joseph T. Cabatbat – Certified Public Accountant and co-founder of Magsasaka Outlet
10. Marx Josef Mission – National Coordinator for the Party-list
The announcement was made after a special general assembly and victory celebration attended by 7,996 delegates from Region 3, representing provinces such as Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Aurora.
Cabatbat reiterated that the Magsasaka Party-list is firmly rooted in the interests of Filipino farmers.
“The true owners of the Magsasaka Party-list are the farmers. You should have the final say. You should be the ones heard. The decision lies with you as to who should lead. We are not like other party-lists owned by a select few,” Cabatbat stated.
He further emphasized that their victory in the Supreme Court was not just a win for the party but for farmers across the nation.
“The Supreme Court win is a victory for the farmers—it is your victory.”
ia/mnm
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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