Their lands are parched and they have nothing to feed their animals.

For the farmers to let go of one of their prized possessions – their helpers in the farm – indicates a bleak situation.

According to senatorial candidate Erin Tañada, the farmers would not have been forced to sell their animals had there been intervention to help them battle the scourge of El Niño.

He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and related agencies should be working double time to address the farmers' need for irrigation, seedlings, and feeds for their farm animals, if necessary.

“Short-term livelihood programs or jobs should also be at hand as alternatives to farming if the dry season will not make planting viable. The DA has budget and sources of funds that it can tap to aid the country's farmers and their best friends in the farm at a time they need help most,” explained the former deputy speaker.

Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga and Zambales have been severely affected by the earthquake on Tuesday. Another trembler hit Eastern Samar and some parts of the region yesterday.

“DA must step up and show the same diligence in helping those affected by the earthquake in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas. Nature induced calamities have overtaken the capacity of our government to intervene to mitigate the impact and damages to people. It is doubly alarming to see them, especially the poor helplessly waiting for assistance from the government,” said Tañada.

This was the reaction of former Deputy Speaker and senatorial candidate Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada as he and his father, former Senator Wigberto “Bobby” Tañada were at the receiving end of one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s vitriolic attacks. Speaking in front of a crowd in Marikina Hotel and Convention Center, the President called out the Tañadas for having done nothing but defend communists.

“I have never defended communists in court as alleged by President Duterte. I am a human rights lawyer. My grandfather and father defended Ninoy Aquino during Martial Law.” Tañada said.

Tañada, however, emphasized that right to counsel is a basic personal right. “There is nothing wrong defending communists in Court. The Bill of Rights article of the Constitution states that no one can be deprived of life or liberty without having been provided with a good defense in a fair trial. They, just like everyone else, are entitled to their day in court aided by competent counsel.”

During Tañada’s three terms as Quezon Province Fourth District’s Representative in Congress, he authored the Repeal of the Death Penalty Law, Cheaper Medicines Law, Anti-Torture Act, Condonation of SSS Penalties on Deliquent Contributions, People’s Survival Fund, Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act, Human Rights Recognition and Reparation Act, and the Universal Healthcare Law. He voted against the raising of the VAT rate from 10 to 12% and has always called for a tax structure that shifts the burden to the rich rather than the poor. In his nine years in Congress, Tañada said he relentlessly worked for the welfare of Filipino workers and farmers, and all consistently within the context of human rights.

“There is nothing wrong with dreaming about better economic, employment, and living conditions for our farmers and workers. There is nothing wrong about believing in yourself that you can do something about it. That I share this aspiration with the CPP-NPA does not mean I am a member of the Party. Some universal ideals are worth fighting for. And I will fight for them as how my grandfather and my father fought for them--with all their heart, their mind, their life,” shared Tañada.