When writer, book editor and law graduate Mario Tolentino, a resident of Alfonso, Cavite informed this writer about the demolition case of the Department of Public Works and Highways on the properties of his town mates and his fellow citizens of the town in living in Kaytuhod in Barangay Kaytitinga 2, I quickly listened to him. “Sana, mabigyan ito ng katarungan (I hope this would be given justice),” said Mario agitated.
Mario in his individual capacity as a fellow human being of the hapless victims, wanted to seek justice for them. Tolentino seemed hopeless to fight for their rights.
Kaytitinga is near Sharon Cuneta and Senator Francis Pangilinan’s farm stead in Alfonso and I asked him if he has presented the problem to Sharon especially to Kiko, a public servant who could possibly help the residents solve their plight.
“Hindi ko pa nga sila nakakausap. Gusto ko sana. Pero uunahin ko muna sa media. Appeal din namin ito sa kanila para magawan din nila ng paraan. (I haven’t talked to them. I wanted to but I’d come first to the media. This appeal is extended to them so that they can also do something),” said Mario.
“MASAHOL PA SA sea-grabbing ng Red China sa West Philippine Sea atbp. katubigan ng Pilipinas ang demolisyon ng Public Works and Highways na walang habas na pagwasak sa bukirin, kabahayan at kabuhayan ng mga Caviteñong lehitimong naninirahan sa (worse than sea-grabbing of the Red Sea in West Philippine Sea etc. is the demolition of DPWH and its incessant destruction of farms, houses and livelihoods owned by legitimate residents of) Kaytuhod, BGY kaytitinga 2.
“Nang hindi binibigyan ng makatarungang kabayaran sa mga inalisan nila ng lupain, taniman at kabahayan, isang paglililo sa mga kapwa kababayang Pilipino, na tahasang pagsalangsang sa Art.3 Sek. 9 ng Konstitusyon. Ang R.A. 8975 para sa build3 program ay pahirapang pagkamit ng hustisya, na kailangang Supreme Court ang puntahan para sa special remedies ng restraining order at injunctive relief at di pinahihintulutan ng Kongreso ang mga lower courts. Pati kapangyarihan ng rule making power ng SC para sa hurisdiksiyon nito sa mga lower courts ay na-usurp na ng kongreso, sa kabila ng separation of powers. Sa panahon ng lockdown at kawalan ng mga regular na hanapbuhay, ang pagdapurak sa karapatang mabuhay ang hikahos na pamilyang pilipino ay dahandahang pagkitil,ng hininga ng bayan… (Without justly compensating the residents deprived of their lands, farmlands and home properties, a betrayal of the Filipino people, a direct assault on Article 3 Section 9 of the Constitution. R.A. 8975 of the build3 program is a tough game in the delivery of justice the Supreme Court is the only resort for special remedies for restraining order and injunctive relief lower courts are usurped by Congress despite separation of powers. In time of lockdowns and employment irregularity, trampling on the right to life of the underprivileged is slowly stifling the life of the nation…,” said part of Mario’s complaints.