Cojuangcos committed to democratic processes

The Cojuangco family said yesterday they "remain committed to democratic processes" to resolve the current labor impasse at the Hacienda Luisita, stressing that they abhor the use of violence.

In a press statement, the Cojuangco family, speaking through their spokesman, lawyer Vigor Mendoza, also took exception to the statement of Rep. Crispin Beltran asking government investigators to look into the alleged involvement of the Cojuangco family in the murder of Tarlac City councilor Abelardo Ladera.

"Beltran’s statement is irresponsible and bereft of any moral ascendancy," Mendoza said, as he recalled that it was Beltran who earlier claimed that 14 people died in the violent dispersal of the strike at the Central Azucarrera de Tarlac last November.

Beltran never gave the names of his imagined fatalities. Only seven people died during the dispersal, Mendoza said.

"The Cojuangco (family) does not believe that the use of violent means would resolve the current labor impasse. They adhere to the use of peaceful and non-violent means," Mendoza said.

"The Cojuangco family takes the high moral ground to settle the issue," he added.

Also, the top management of the Central Azucarrera de Tarlac (CAT) denied yesterday that it has refused to reopen talks with its legitimate workers, stressing that it has "remained committed to discuss with them the current labor impasse."

The CAT management said its representatives were willing to meet with representatives of its legitimate workers in whichever acceptable venue to resolve the current labor woes.

The CAT said it issued the statement primarily in reaction to insinuations that its top management has refused to reopen talks with a handful of its striking workers and their hordes of outside supporters.

It said it was willing to talk with its legitimate workers, adding that the "presence of outside parties, which have claimed to support the striking workers, was one of the reasons why the reopening of talks has been slow."