Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said he is asking the Office of the President and the Department of Justice to immediately initiate an investigation into the serious complaints of Department of Agrarian Reform employees in Bacolod City on the alleged use of DAR funds for Task Force Mapalad.

This gives me more reason to believe that Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman does not consult local officials on agrarian reform concerns in Negros Occidental because he is already biased towards the TFM, Marañon said.

In the past Marañon had been irked by Pangandaman's failure to consult him during his visits to Negros Occidental for the implementation of land reform in Hacienda Velez Malaga, La Castellana, involving TFM beneficiaries.

Numerous incidents of violence have erupted at Velez Malaga that have, so far, resulted in the death of three farmer beneficiaries this year.

Marañon said he will present his call for an investigation to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit to Negros Occidental on July 13 for the Go Negosyo campaign, and the new Bacolod-Silay airport.

The president is expected to be accompanied by members of her Cabinet, he said.

The allegations that DAR resources are being used to fund TFM activities to the prejudice of the DAR employees and operations is alarming, he said.

The governor is calling for an examination of funds given DAR and an audit of its performance.

The governor was reacting to a position paper of the DAR employees composed of the United MAROs Association of Negros Occidental and the Department of Agrarian Reform Rank and File Employees Union.

The position paper slammed the recent relief of Stephen Leonidas and asked that he be retained as PARO of Negros Occidental.

It said Pangandaman abused his authority when he disregarded the rules on procedure and administrative due process in the transfer of Leonidas.

The TFM had earlier called for the relief of Leonidas for the alleged delay in the demarcation of property due its beneficiaries in Hacienda Velez-Malaga.

The DAR employees position paper slammed what it called the unwarranted pampering of TFM members who compose only a small percentage of the province's farmer beneficiaries.

It also called for the ouster of DAR Undersecretary Narciso Nieto and DAR officials affiliated with TFM.

"The frequent demand for consultation done by the TFM members as well as the money or funds allotted for such consultations is a great loss to the department. Instead of prioritizing the benefits due to the DAR employees, oftentimes we prioritize TFM consultations as directed by our top DAR officials," the position paper said.

Pangadaman, Nieto and other DAR employees rely so much on the advice and pronouncements of TFM members over the decisions of local DAR officials, making a mockery of their dignity and credibility, the position paper added.*CPG

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