Rafael V. Mariano
Rafael V. Mariano | |
|---|---|
Mariano in September 2016 | |
| Secretary of Agrarian Reform | |
| In office June 30, 2016 – September 6, 2017 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Virgilio de los Reyes |
| Succeeded by | Rosalina Bistoyong (OIC) |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Anakpawis | |
| In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rafael Vitriolo Mariano October 24, 1956 |
| Party | Anakpawis |
| Spouse | Estrelita Mariano |
| Profession | Politician, Farmer |
Rafael "Ka Paeng" Vitriolo Mariano (born October 24, 1956) is a Filipino activist and politician. He is a former member of the House of Representatives for Anakpawis, serving from 2004 to 2013. He is also the chairman of the farmers militant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).[1]
Mariano served as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who appointed him, after being nominated by the National Democratic Front.[2] His appointment as Secretary of Agrarian Reform was rejected by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on September 6, 2017, making him the 4th member of the Duterte Cabinet to be rejected by the CA.[3]
Early life
Mariano was born on October 24, 1956, to a poor family in the municipality of Quezon, Nueva Ecija. He was a farmer who took up agriculture and agri-cooperatives at the Wesleyan University and Christian College of the Philippines (formerly Liwag Colleges) in Cabanatuan. He was not able to graduate from both institutions due to financial difficulties and his father's illness.[4]
Activism and political career
Mariano joined the Bisig ng Kabataan (Youth Arm), a local youth activist organization, when he was 20 years old. He was elected as councilor of Quezon, Nueva Ecija five years later in 1981. He became the regional vice chairman of the Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (Central Luzon Farmers' Alliance) in 1984 and as the first secretary-general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines; KMP) in 1985. He was among the survivors of the 1987 Mendiola massacre.[4] Mariano was later elected as its national vice chairman in 1990, effectively serving as acting chairman while Chairman Jaime Tadeo was in prison.[5]
In July 1993, a month before Tadeo was released on parole, Mariano accused Tadeo of committing estafa as chairman of the KMP, which caused the organization to fracture into two factions between followers of Tadeo and Mariano. Three months later, Tadeo was impeached as chairman, and by November 1993, Mariano was elected national chairman of the KMP, a position he held into the 2010s.[6][7]
In 1998, he assumed the chairmanship of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. He was nominated to the Anakpawis party-list in the 2004 general elections and served as the party's representative in the Philippine House of Representatives until 2013. During his term, he pressed for the passage of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill which aimed to distribute land to farmers for free. He was one of five progressive legislators who were detained for 2 months in 2006 in the Batasang Pambansa Complex on charges of plotting to overthrow the government of then President Gloria Arroyo.[4]
Secretary of Agrarian Reform
Following his victory in the 2016 elections, President Rodrigo Duterte offered cabinet positions to the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.[8] The NDFP declined the offer and instead nominated who they felt were qualified candidates. The NDFP nominated Mariano for the position of Secretary of Agrarian Reform[9] which Duterte accepted at the start of his term.
Mariano served as DAR Secretary from July 2016 to September 2017. As DAR Secretary, Mariano spearheaded initiatives for land distribution and supported calls for genuine agrarian reform, including land distribution in Hacienda Luisita.[10][11]
He was removed following the rejection of his interim appointment by the Commission on Appointments.[12] Malacanang was said to "regret" the CA's decision to reject Mariano's appointment.[13]
Post-Secretaryship
Mariano remained a major figure in the struggle of Philippine peasants for genuine land reform. He became the chairperson emeritus of KMP and a staunch critic of both the Duterte and Marcos Jr. administrations.
References
- ^ "EDCA to pave way for US presence in countryside – KMP". Manila Bulletin. January 15, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- ^ "Duterte names more Cabinet members, agency heads". CNN Philippines. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
- ^ Geronimo, Jee Y. (September 6, 2017). "CA rejects Rafael Mariano as agrarian reform secretary". Rappler. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- ^ a b c "The Duterte Cabinet". Interaksyon. June 9, 2016. Archived from the original on July 17, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
- ^ "KMP holds third congress". Peasant Update Philippines. Peasant Movement of the Philippines. May–June 1990. p. 8. Retrieved January 24, 2026 – via Google Books.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Philippine Peasant Movement, KMP) held its third national congress last May 13 to 15 at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Quezon City[...]
- ^ "Head of Leftist Peasants Movement Impeached". PTV-4. Quezon City. October 20, 1993 – via Daily Report.
Jaime Tadeo, national chairman of the KMP[...] has been impeached from his position. [...] In a statement, Tadeo was accused of abusing authority, squandering funds of the movement, and sabotaging the movement.
- ^ "Divided Peasant Movement Holds Two Meetings". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Manila. November 22, 1993. p. 7 – via Daily Report.
The camp of Rafael Mariano, Jaime Tadeo's vice chairman who served as acting head when Tadeo was in prison, opened its four-day congress at the Phil-Am Homes in Quezon City yesterday afternoon.
- ^ Sabillo, Kristine Angeli (May 17, 2016). "CPP, NDFP welcome Duterte's offer of Cabinet posts but…". Inquirer.net. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (May 27, 2016). "NDF nominates Rafael Mariano for DAR post". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ "Rafael V. Mariano | DAR Secretary | July 1, 2016- September 8, 2017". www.dar.gov.ph. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Go, Miriam Grace (August 25, 2016). "DAR orders distribution of 358 hectares of Hacienda Luisita". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Geronimo, Jee (September 6, 2017). "CA rejects Rafael Mariano as agrarian reform secretary". Rappler. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Reganit, Jose Cielito. "Palace rues Mariano's rejection as DAR chief". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved July 27, 2024.