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Aug 6, 2010
MANILA – Malacanang welcomed on Friday the signing of the compromise agreement between Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and its farmers which gives the latter the option to choose whether to get free land or keep their stock distribution option (SDO) in the Cojuangco-owned corporation.In a media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III welcomed the peaceful solution to the long-standing problem between the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the farmer beneficiaries since negotiations began in 2007.
“Certainly, he welcomes the development that it has been signed,” Lacierda said. Lacierda said they have been informed that all union members who affixed their signatures in the agreement will cast their vote this weekend at the Hacienda Luisita if they prefer to get land or retain their SDO aside from other benefits.
What is important here is the peaceful resolution to the problem. And the President leaves it to the management of Hacienda Luisita to settle the problem with the farmer beneficiaries, Lacierda said. Earlier, the Supreme Court has set August 18 for both parties to comment on the Luisita land case to determine whether to retain the stock distribution option, or if the land will be distributed to the farmers as directed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Lacierda said it is now up to the Supreme Court to rule on the compromise agreement after both parties have already expressed their willingness to settle and all the parties are involved in the settlement. Lacierda said many farmer beneficiaries want a peaceful resolution to the long-standing problem.
“Let us allow the process to go though before the Supreme Court. Let it be reviewed by the Supreme Court. And if this will be favorably ruled upon by the Supreme Court, this will help settle the problem at Hacienda Luisita,” Lacierda said.