Luisita farmers to next SC chief: Don't tamper with land distribution order

Manila, Philippines -  Hacienda Luisita farmers called on the next Supreme Court chief justice not to tamper with its April 24 decision that ordered the distribution of the controversial sugar estate to its farm worker beneficiaries.

UMA secretary-general Rodel Mesa said “regardless of whether a member of the high court or not will be appointed, the important thing is he or she would not tamper with the Hacienda Luisita verdict. Any attempt to hamper or to reverse the ruling would affect the institution’s credibility.”

He added they would assert the actual and physical distribution of Hacienda Luisita to its 6,296 beneficiaries.

“The delay of the distribution can also be attributed to the complications in the process being implemented by the DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform),” Mesa said.

Both UMA and the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) said they have reservations on the nominations and the inclusion of acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlist.

“We firmly believe that Carpio, Sereno and Jardeleza would betray the farm workers’ interests if one of them becomes the next chief justice,” Mesa said.

“However, the Hacienda Luisita farm workers are ready to take on the challenge if they successfully land on the JBC shortlist and later, handpicked by the President to do his job as the next CJ. We will oppose the next CJ’s will if it is against the immediate, actual and physical distribution of Luisita to its farm worker beneficiaries,” the group stressed.