Thanks to Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales for the Victory of Sumilao Farmers

Although I expressed disgust over the Bishops ambiguity in their position on the Filipinos' search for truth, justice, and accountability from the President Evil, I would like to acknowledge the role played by His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in helping the Sumilao farmers negotiate with the giant San Miguel Corporation to get back the 144 hectare property previously awarded to them.

The Sumilao farmers are the farmers who marched from Bukidnon starting October 10 last year with a few churches and non-government organizations supporting them. But throughout their march, they have gathered enough strength, from ordinary people in the countryside wishing them well to the Roman Catholic hierarchy with no less than Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales joining their cause.

The Cardinal said it all: “Kung mga tunay na Kristiyano ang mga taga-San Miguel, ibibigay na nila ang lupa. Yan ay kung tunay silang mga Kristiyano.” Maybe they should also be reminded that their company was named after a saint. But this is not to say that their fight doesn’t have any chance in court, it’s just that the legal processes may take years and it would have been better if the company gave up their claim to the land.

Thank you Cardinal Rosales for helping the farmers win back their dignity and their right over the land.