MANILA, Philippines—Although many lauded the Supreme Court’s decision to distribute Hacienda Luisita to its farmers, a leftwing lawmaker on Wednesday said it would be better if the vast sugar estate would be distributed without compensation.
Anakpawis Party-list Representative Rafael Mariano said that the farmers would benefit more from the high tribunal’s decision if they would not pay amortization fees for 30 years.
Mariano said the Cojuangco clan has for years benefitted from the sugar plantation, and need not be paid for the land.
Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño on Tuesday urged the Hacienda Luisita management to just waive the pay.
On Tuesday, eight justices of the Supreme Court voted to peg the compensation for the 4,915.75-hectare sugar plantation at the 1989 land valuation of P40,000 per hectare.