MANILA, Philippines - Hacienda Luisita farmer-groups are dismayed with the Supreme Court decision upholding the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council's (PARC) revocation of the company's stock option deal with farmer-beneficiaries.
The high court's decision to give farmers a choice via a new referendum to determine whether they prefer land or shares of stock also doesn't sit well with them.
The Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) said the stock distribution option has not done them any good.
"Sa pananaw namin, isang malaking panloloko sa amin ito. Ang hiniling naming sa SC i-reboka ang stock distribution, bakit siya pumasok sa referendum?" said AMBALA Spokesperson Rodel Mesa on ANC's "Headstart" on Wednesday.
"Dinaya na po kami nung 1989, dinaya nanaman kami ng 2004, napilitan kaming pumirma. Pera-pera, gutom na kami, sasagpangin namin yun, wala kaming sasainging nung pahanong yun. Yun ang panlolokong ginagawa sa amin."
Calling the Supreme Court decision deceitful, Mesa said only the Cojuangco clan stands to benefit from the decision.
"Pag pinili namin lupa, babayaran namin iyan, mapupunta rin sa Cojuangco yung ibabayad namin, win-win ang Cojuangco dito, sa amin talo talaga," he added.
PNoy urged to step in
Mesa added President Aquino should step in and distribute the long-contested land to farmer-beneficiaries, adding he would be in the best position to order the land's distribution.
"Ang hiling namin sa Pangulo magdesisyon na siya na ipamigay yung lupa. Siya yung head ng Presidential Agrarian Reform Council, siya yung may kakayahan na magdesisyon, doon niya maipakikita yung 'tuwid na daan,' 'kung walang corrupt walang mahirap.' Linisin niya yung bakuran niya," Mesa said.
Hacienda Luisita is owned by the Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO), which is owned by the Cojuangco-Aquino families and legitimate farm workers.
After President Aquino divested his part in the corporation and left the board to avoid possible conflicts of interest, Mesa said the President cannot remain mum on the Hacienda Luisita issue.
Mesa also urged the President to walk the talk, in keeping with the government's "matuwid na daan" (righteous path).
"Nangangamba kami. Hindi pwedeng magwalang kibo siya diyan. Namumuno siya ng PARC, so and mandato nasa kanya," he added. HLI: Respect rule of law
But speaking in the same interview, HLI spokesperson Atty. Tony Ligon urged all parties concerned to respect the rule of law.
"Kailangan nating irespeto ang batas na umiiral sa atin," Ligon said. "Pero kung iyan po ay mananaig sa 6,296 [farmer-beneficiaries] or lahat manaaig, lahat palagay ko pati ang Presidente, sasabihin sa SC: the beneficiares have spoken, susundin natin."
Ligon said the SC was correct in giving farmers the right to choose, adding the stock distribution option has not benefited the majority.
"Sa decision ng SC sabi nila, the court has taken judicial notice na karamihan ng nabibigyan ng lupa hindi rin namin naging successful ang land reform dahil either nabebenta or nababalik sa may ari," he said.
Unlike the compromise agreement struck last year and in 1989, Ligon said, this time the land will not be given free.
"Ang nakabubuti dito, mas malaki na yung sakop ng referendum, pero ang hindi maganda dito pagagastusin natin ang magsasaka ng lupang ibibigay," he said.
The Department of Agrarian Reform is scheduled to meet with 6,296 farmworker-beneficiaries, to explain the consequences of either choice.
The United Luisita Workers Union earlier said it will appeal the high court's decision before the Office of the Solicitor General
