Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Chairperson Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos responded with sharp criticism and cautious skepticism to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet secretaries, warning that the move could amount to “mere political spectacle” and “political recycling” without real accountability and commitment to pro-people governance. “Whether this is a loyalty check or accommodation for Duterte’s camp, Filipinos do not need a recycled Cabinet.”

“Filipino farmers are not interested in political theatrics,” Ramos said. “We need concrete policies that will alleviate our plight and genuinely pro-people leadership that prioritizes the rural poor’s rights, welfare, and livelihoods. A Cabinet revamp should start with the removal of inept, corrupt, anti-people officials and their replacement with genuinely competent, pro-farmer, and pro-people leaders.”

Ramos noted that despite President Marcos Jr. stepping down as Agriculture Secretary in 2023 and Francis Tiu-Laurel’s designation as DA chief, the agriculture sector continues to suffer under weak leadership and anti-farmer policies. “Under Tiu-Laurel, the Department of Agriculture has remained incapable of addressing the chronic issues of food insecurity, hunger, and high food prices. PH also remains as the world’s top rice importer.”

Ramos also criticized House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s endorsement of the Cabinet shake-up and vow of “stronger oversight,” calling it a “political ploy disguised in reformist rhetoric.”

“The House leadership under Romualdez has failed to exercise genuine Congressional oversight on urgent matters like the misuse of confidential funds, the militarization of rural communities, and the worsening food crisis,” Ramos stated. “What kind of oversight allows billions in intelligence funds while farmers cannot even afford the cost of fertilizer?”

Ramos laid down key demands from rural and agricultural sectors:

“Leadership in agriculture must be based on merit, experience, and advocacy — not political patronage.” We challenge the next DA and DAR secretaries to these tall orders:

“Implement genuine agrarian reform, end land-use conversion, and stop the criminalization of agrarian struggles. Ensure that farmers earn from their toiling and are protected from exploitative importers and traders. Redirect confidential and discretionary funds and allocate these billions toward free irrigation, compensation for farmers affected by disasters, and long-term food security programs. Stop red-tagging and state violence against rural communities,” Ramos concluded. ###