Aquino aware of DAR, SolGen steps to appeal SC ruling on Hacienda Luisita

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino is “aware” of the decision of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Office of the Solicitor General to appeal the Supreme Court decision that gave farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita a choice on whether to get land, or stocks.

“The President is aware of the steps that are being taken by the DAR and by the OSG,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Monday, a few hours after the two government agencies held a news conference to announce the government’s plan to appeal the high court decision.

Valte said the DAR and OSG decision to appeal had been discussed with President Aquino, whose family owns the sugar mill estate but who has divested his share.

“The President has always taken of the position that he is after the welfare of the greater number of agrarian reform beneficiaries,” Valte also said.