Farmers fear Cadiz departure may imperil Luisita victory

MANILA, Philippines—The changing of the guard at the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) should not lead to a change in its position to distribute Hacienda Luisita to land tillers, farmers and militant groups said Monday.

The groups expressed concern that the resignation of Jose Anselmo Cadiz may be linked to the land dispute.

Renato Reyes of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan noted that Cadiz resigned before the Supreme Court case on the sugar estate, which is owned by President Aquino’s Cojuangco relatives, could become final.

“We are very concerned about the position of the replacement of Solgen Cadiz on the Luisita dispute still pending before the Supreme Court. Cadiz’s resignation comes at a critical juncture when the court sets to rule with finality on the case,” Reyes said.

Last November, the Supreme Court ordered the distribution of the Tarlac sugar estate to farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, ending years of heated debate over the fate of the land. The hacienda management has filed a motion for reconsideration and clarification over the amount to be paid to the farmers and asked the court to give the farmers the option to remain as stockholders.

Before this decision was handed down, the OSG under Cadiz and Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, had argued for the distribution of land and had contested the previous court ruling that allowed farmers to choose between getting shares of stocks or a redistribution of the estate

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas believes that the Cadiz resignation has something to do with the controversial case.

“We believe that Solicitor General Anselmo Cadiz’s resignation is closely linked to the continuing political maneuvers and arm-twisting being exerted by the President’s family involving the Hacienda Luisita agrarian dispute,” said Randall Echanis, KMP deputy secretary general.

Both Reyes and Echanis were adamant that the position taken by Cadiz should stay.

“The new Solgen must not depart from the basic position already taken by the OSG,” Reyes said. “We will be closely watching the new Solgen should he take on a position favorable to Luisita.”

He added that there would be questions about whether the Hacienda Luisita case was a factor in the selection of Cadiz’ replacement.

Cadiz reportedly would be replaced by Deputy Ombudsman Francis Jardeleza, who used to be the general counsel of San Miguel Corporation owned by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, an uncle of the President.

Jardeleza declined to be interviewed about the matter on Monday because there was no statement yet from Malacanang about his appointment.

Jardeleza has a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and was the salutatorian of his class at the University of the Philippines College of Law.

He used to work for the ACCRA Law Office and had chaired its litigation department. He later left to put up his own law firm.

In 1996, he became the Senior Vice President and counsel of SMC. He held the position up to June 30, 2010, leaving it for early retirement.

He specialized in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, securities, intellectual property and corporate governance.

He teaches constitutional law at the UP College of Law.