Luisita workers ask SC to dismiss HLI motion to reject pro-farmer ruling

MANILA, Philippines—Workers at the Hacienda Luisita asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the motion filed by Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) to reconsider its last year’s ruling ordering the distribution of 4,915-hectare sugar land estate to farmworker-beneficiaries.

In its Comment/Opposition, members of the Alyansa ng mga Mangagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) told the high court that HLI is merely delaying the implementation of the distribution of the land to the farmers because the issues raised in its motion has already been tackled by the high court in its November 2011 ruling.

“HLI’s repeated argument on those issues is nothing but a vile stratagem not only to prolong the adjudication of the case but a devious scheme to delay the execution of the judgment…Obviously, HLI is merely vying for time. It is waiting and hoping for some miracle to happen.”

“But AMBALA is hoping that even with the ongoing intramurals involving the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court will immediately resolve to deny HLI’s motion, affirm the 22 November 2011 resolution and order its immediate execution,” AMBALA through counsel Jobert Ilarde Pahilga said in their comment/opposition filed Tuesday.

HLI, in its motion sought clarification on the amount to be paid to the farmers and also asked the high tribunal to bring back the option to the original FWBs the option to choose whether they still want to remain as stockholders of HLI or lift the 10-year prohibition on the sale of the awarded lands.

Through lawyer Maria Estela Ares, the firm of the Cojuangcos insisted the reckoning period for the computation of the just compensation on its agricultural lands should at the time of the taking or at least at the issuance of the notice of coverage by the DAR on Jan. 2, 2006 pursuant to PARC’s resolution recalling the approval of the Stock Distribution Plan (SDP).

They also asked the high tribunal to leave it up to the Land Bank and the DAR the determination of the reckoning period, which is necessary in fixing the just compensation for the property.

The high court, voting 14-0 dismissed the stock distribution option (SDO) and ordered the distribution of the 4,915.75-hectare estate to its 6,296 workers.

The justices agreed that the contested land should be distributed by HLI to the original 6,296 farmer-beneficiaries pursuant to an order of the PARC in December 2005.

The high court also directed HLI to pay the original farmworker-beneficiaries (FWBs) with more than P1.33 billion it earned from selling the 500-hectare converted portion of the land estate that is owned by relatives of President Benigno Aquino III.

The justices agreed that the contested land should be distributed by HLI to the original 6,296 farmer-beneficiaries pursuant to an order of the PARC in December 2005.