Luisita lawyer meets with farmer-beneficiaries

MANILA, Philippines - The lawyer of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) yesterday met with representatives of a majority of farmworker-beneficiaries in Tarlac to explain the final ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) to distribute the controversial land to farmworkers.

Antonio Ligon said he met with heads/representatives of some 8,000 farmworkers in the sugar estate to enlighten them on what they can expect following the final ruling of the high court on the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands.

“Among those who attended the dialogue were representatives of the 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries indicated in the ruling, while the rest who were not covered by the SC order also showed up,” Ligon said.

He stressed that the HLI management wanted the talks with the farmers to be direct and personal even if it remains unclear what would happen to some 4,000 farmworkers not covered by the ruling.

“We tried to answer their questions as much as we can. We explained to them that though the SC order is out and reports about it were published, we haven’t received a copy yet, and that the process is yet to begin,” Ligon said.

He added that even if a copy were forwarded to them, they would continue to meet with the farmworkers and assist them with whatever concerns they might have.

“It is possible that someone might misrepresent any of them. We want to prevent that from happening. As early as now, the issue of amortization is already being raised though Step 1 of land distribution has not yet begun, especially that concerned parties have not yet been given a copy,” Ligon said, adding that they don’t want farmers to get confused.

He added there are still questions on the remaining 4,000-plus beneficiaries who were not covered by the SC ruling.

“That is now the big question. Though the HLI said it will not challenge the ruling and that no pleading will be filed, still, the HLI is concerned about the farmers,” stressed Ligon.

On Tuesday, the SC unanimously voted to reaffirm a November 2011 decision to distribute some 5,000 hectares of Hacienda Luisita land to 6,296 farmer beneficiaries.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes earlier expressed hope that a copy of the final ruling of the SC on the Hacienda Luisita case would soon be turned over to the department for the task of land distribution.

He said they are ready to distribute the land but would not be able to do so or at least begin the process until the SC order is in their hands and they have carefully read it.

Palace mum

Malacañang, on the other hand, remains mum about the SC decision ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita owned by President Aquino’s family and that any problem with the land valuation would have to be dealt with by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the DAR.

The Palace has said it would follow the ruling but could not comment on the amount to be paid to the landowners based on 1989 rates as stated in the SC ruling.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said they could not comment on the beneficiaries, including those who were covered by the stock distribution option (SDO).

“We still have not received the decision. I do not know what is taking the service so long. But no, we have not received the copy of the decision yet,” Valte said.

Valte said she was not aware if the OSG and DAR supported the 1989 land valuation of Hacienda Luisita when they filed a motion for reconsideration for distribution rather than SDO.

“That I am not aware of, what valuation that they supported. What I am clear about is that the OSG supported the position for land distribution. As to valuation, I am not aware what position the government took on that particular point,” Valte said.

Asked if the OSG or DAR could do something to seek new rates if they found the just compensation unfair, Valte refused to comment.

“Well, that I will have to consult with DAR and the OSG about – on what steps they will take in case they will find the problem with the valuation. But as to the moment, we really cannot say because there is no decision,” Valte said.

Palace distances

Malacañang is distancing itself from the pronouncements of the President’s uncle, former congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., that Chief Justice Renato Corona “campaigned” for the recent SC ruling on the distribution of the sugar estate to farmers.

Cojuangco said Corona took the matter personally as the Chief Justice had an “axe to grind” against the President.

“I cannot speak for the former congressman. While he is related to the President, I really do not know the contents and the complete statement and as such I don’t want to comment on fragments of any particular statement that he has made, especially on this particular issue,” Valte said over radio dzRB.

In a GMA News report, President Aquino said his family was not against land distribution and never complained when they lost 6,000 hectares before.

“Did you hear us cry? Did you hear us complain?” he asked.

The former congressman also raised the plight of some 4,000 Hacienda Luisita farm workers, who he said were legitimate beneficiaries of land distribution but were excluded by the SC decision.

Cojuangco said the exclusion of these 4,000 farm workers “was most likely the doing of Chief Justice Corona para makabawi siya kay Noynoy (to get even with Noynoy).”

Corona, who is on trial by the Senate sitting as impeachment court, has maintained that the SC ruling affirming an earlier decision on the compensation for the distribution of Hacienda Luisita’s land to farmers was in accord with social justice. – With Aurea Calica, Perseus Echeminada