Volunteer lawyers for farmers/Campaign rules/ Drivers’ licenses

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Farmers of the province who need legal services for problems hounding them need not look far. “Illegal importation is just a tip of the iceberg with problems hounding our farmers, the very reason why we founded, Farmers for Lawyers, basically to help our farmers in particular and the agricultural sector in general,” lawyer Richard Kilaan, LFF lead convenor said.
    LFF, he added, is a group of lawyers and volunteers for farmers' rights and legal initiatives.
    “It is a group in defending the rights of farmers, with the advocacy to inform, educate and empower the farmers in today's society,” he said.
    LFF will assist the farmers in litigation processes, will regularly conduct legal awareness training, and will actively participate in policy intervention and campaigns for our farmers to benefit and have equal access to justice
    “In Benguet, there are a lot of farmers who can't afford legal services, LFF is here to make changes,” Kilaan said. “Benguet farmers need help, we are here to help.”
    Kilaan called on other lawyers to help farmers. “We would like to encourage other lawyers to join hands with the Lawyers for Farmers in these endeavors, let us defend out farmers from oppression and unfair competition,” he added.
     For those interested to avail of services, Kilaan said they could contact him at Richardkilaan2022@gmail.com or drop by Taraki Bldg, km 5, La Trinidad where they will be opening an office. 
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The Commission on Elections has expressed openness in reviewing their guidelines on in-person campaigning.
    “We are aware of these complaint of some candidates. Maybe we will review our rules,” Acting Comelec Chairman Socorro Inting said in a press briefing Feb. 16.
    “There is a possibility that we will be downgraded to Alert Level 1. So, maybe we will review our rules soon for the campaign to be consistent with the alert level,” she added
    Election campaign activities that involve physical or personal interaction, such as in-person campaigns, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and mitings de avance are covered by resolution 10732.
    All persons participating in such activities in any capacity are required to wear full-coverage face shields, together with face masks, whether ear loop masks, indigenous reusable masks, do-it-yourself masks, or other facial protective equipment.
    Additionally, the minimum public health standards must be observed at all times.
    Meanwhile, the Comelec believes the conduct of the May 9 polls will remain credible despite the issues that cropped up recently.
    “I think these issues, which cropped up during the past days, is just to some of the people and not the commission as a whole. The Comelec is composed of so many people from the (highest) to the lowest employee,” Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said in a press statement.
    “So, I think, that rough patch, that minor issue will not affect the credibility of the commission as a whole,” she added.
Commissioner Rowena Guanzon earlier questioned the delay in the release of the decision of the Comelec First Division on the disqualification cases of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
    The First Division on Feb. 10 dismissed the petitions for lack of merit.
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    The Land Transportation Office (LTO) can impose additional requirements for the issuance of driver’s licenses, an official of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) clarified last week.
    Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar made the clarification amid reports that the DOJ favors the removal of the Comprehensive Driver’s Education (CDE) requirement for those renewing their driver’s license for 10 years.
    The DOJ, according to reports, backed the stand of some lawmakers to remove the CDE, based on the comments the department submitted to the House of Representatives.
    “This is incorrect. Our comment submitted to Congress states that it is within the power of the LTO to impose restrictions on the renewal of driver’s licenses for 10 years, which includes the CDE requirement,” Villar said.
    “The issuance of a certification of completion of the CDE is a function necessary, proper or incidental to the power of the LTO to issue driver’s licenses,” she added.
    Villar said such function is under the LTO and not of driving schools or institutions accredited by the transport agency.
On Monday, Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro said the DOJ supported his position to scrap the CDE requirement for the renewal of driver’s licenses.