SC asked to stop talks on Luisita with Chinese firm

MANILA, Philippines - A group of farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) asked the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday to stop the disputed sugar land estate owned by the family of President Aquino in Tarlac from proceeding with talks with a big Chinese firm for possible exportation of sugar cane.

The Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (Ambala) sought an order from the Court stopping the negotiations between HLI and Wahaha Group, China’s largest soft drinks manufacturer, in a 11-page omnibus motion.

Ambala lawyer Jobert Ilarde Pahilga argued that “exploratory talks” should be stopped “to assuage the fear of the farm workers that their struggle to revoke the SDO (stock distribution order) and to have the land distributed unto them will not be for naught.”

Pahilga explained that the farmers, who are claiming ownership of the 6,453-hectare land, have the right to know the details of the negotiation between HLI and Wahaha that also involves the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

He asked the Court to compel the parties to submit documents or agreements pertaining to the negotiation.

“Since the farm workers are still stockholders and beneficiaries of the subject land, they have the right to information on such matter and therefore, (HLI) is under obligation to disclose whatever nature or kind of agreement it has entered or it intends to enter into with Wahaha,” the motion stated.

Ambala filed the pleading after HLI lawyer Vigor Mendoza reportedly confirmed last week that the Wahaha Group has expressed interest in sourcing its sugar supply from the Tarlac plantation.

The SC is now deliberating on the long-standing labor dispute on Hacienda Luisita.

Last August, the SC held oral arguments on the case.

It also created a mediation panel to end the dispute between HLI and its farmer-beneficiaries through amicable settlement.

However, mediation has been suspended after parties failed to reach an agreement after six meetings within the 30-day period prescribed by the court.

The panel chaired by retired SC justice Alicia Austria- Martinez has opted to leave to the High Court the decision on whether or not to continue with the mediation, considering the refusal of a faction of farmers from the Ambala to participate in the proceedings.