Quezon City – MASIPAG joined alliance Resist Agrochem TNCs in a forum and picket-rally in front of the Department of Agriculture to call for the agency to uphold the ruling of the Court of Appeals to cease and desist the Bt-talong field trials.
Resist organized a Media Forum about the Victory and Challenges of the CA Ruling on Bt-talong to discuss the merits of the Writ of Kalikasan, as well as to enjoin the various sectors to strengthen their ranks against other GMOs in the country.
Atty. Zelda Soriano, Legal Counsel for the Petitioners discussed the grounds on which the appellate court based their favorable decision, which includes the main argument of the petitioners that the field testing is characterized by “serious scientific uncertainty with regard to its health and environmental effects.” She also pointed out the judges chose to adhere to precautionary principle to protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.
Among the other resource persons were Dr. Chito Medina of MASIPAG, who discussed the various strategies to be done to ensure the continued opposition against Bt-talong and other GM crops; Dr. Romeo Quijano of Pesticides Action Network-Philippines, who discussed the health effects of GMOs and Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano, who discussed the need for a strict legislation on GMO trials and release.
Proponents led by the University of the Philippines Los Banos have already filed three Motion for Reconsideration as of press time.
The alliance later trooped to the DA gates to challenge the agency to uphold the CA decision and finally halt other GMO trials and commercialization, specifically that of the Golden Rice and GM corn. Resist also called for the intensified mass movements against GMOs in food and agriculture.
