Luisita farmers ask Supreme Court to lift TRO on land distribution

MANILA, Philippines - Farmers of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to act on their claims to the 6,453-hectare Cojuangco-controlled estate before the May 10 elections for fear that they would no longer get justice if Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III wins the presidency.

Members of the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU), Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Hasyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL) asked the SC to lift its four-year temporary restraining order on the distribution of the plantation to the 10,000 farmer-beneficiaries.

Lito Bais, ULWU acting president, said they are appealing to Chief Justice Reynato Puno and the other SC justices to show their “preferential bias” for the landless, exploited and the oppressed and uphold truth, justice and accountability.

“Honorable Chief Justice, on the ground cohorts and henchmen of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan are doing the dirty jobs for the feudal lords of Hacienda Luisita to fortify land control,” read the ULWU letter to Puno.

“The Cojuangco-Aquino corporation established the Luisita Estate Management, which has tolerated terrorizing presence of government troops and civilian volunteer organizations conducting round-the-clock surveillance and harassment of leaders and members of farm workers’ groups.”

The Hacienda Luisita unions said the TRO has been in effect for almost four years now when it should only be temporary.

“Those who have less in life should have more in law,” the unions said.

“Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Joined by Anakpawis party-list group and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), members of the Hacienda Luisita unions protested the move of the Cojuangco-Aquino family to put up fences around 170 hectares of the estate.

The Luisita Estate Management has been transferring hectares of land to commercial banks and foreign commercial enterprises despite the TRO issued by the SC, according to union members.

Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano said Hacienda Luisita’s distribution to farmer-beneficiaries would remain “an impossible dream” if Aquino wins in the May 10 presidential elections.

“Another Aquino administration will provide the Cojuangcos all the political ammunition to deny farmers of their rights to the land,” he said.

Mariano said they support Nacionalista Party presidential candidate Manuel Villar Jr.’s land reform program.

“He (Villar) said he would push for effective and through-going land distribution,” he said.

“We believe that will address the interests of the Luisita farmers.”

Lakas-Kampi-CMD Gilbert Teodoro Jr.’s stand on the issue is not clear, Mariano said.

Arthur Cadungon, Bayan-NCR spokesman, said Aquino should make himself accountable for the mass killings of farmers in Hacienda Luisita in November 2004.

“Like what he wants to do with the culprits of the Maguindanao massacre, we want to see how Noynoy will end impunity in the country and how he will serve justice to victims of the brutal mass murder of farm workers of Hacienda Luisita,” he said.

Members of the estate’s union accused the Aquino family and the administration of President Arroyo of conspiring to deny justice to victims of the massacre.

Displaying masked characters of Mrs. Arroyo, Aquino and Maguindanao massacre principal suspect Andal Ampatuan Jr. flashing the “Laban” (fight) sign with blood-tainted hands, members of the Hacienda Luisita unions protested in front of the SC yesterday.