Hacienda Luisita farmworkers protest against an
'Aquino court' at the Supreme Court. (Photo by AMGL)
'Aquino court' at the Supreme Court. (Photo by AMGL)
Leaders and members of Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (Ambala, Farmworkers’ Alliance in Hacienda Luisita) and Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (Amgl, Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon) criticized president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino's appointment of associate justice Lourdes Sereno as new chief justice of the Supreme Court as this is equal to the reversal of the high court's decision on the Hacienda Luisita case. The Supremen Court, then led by ousted chief justice Renato Corona, decided on November 22, 2011 to abolish the stock distribution option (SDO) and on April 24, 2012 to set the price compensating the Cojuangco-Aquinos at 1989 prices contrary to Sereno's opinion that it should be at 2006 prices, which is valued at P10 billion or P2.25 million per hectare for the 4,915.75-hectare remaining agricultural lands of the hacienda.
Farmers groups said that they have already anticipated the decision that Aquino would appoint a string -puppet to serve the interest of their family and opposed the creation of an 'Aquino court' since June.
“We extremely oppose the appoinment of Sereno as it is very clear that she is a defender of the Cojuangco-Aquino family”, stated by Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairperson.
“We are very angered that Aquino and his family are attempting to get Hacienda Luisita back,” stated by Rodel Mesa, Chairperson, Ambala.
“We opposed the nomination of former San Miguel Corp. legal executive and current solicitor general Francis Jardeleza, associate justices Antonio Carpio and Lourdes Sereno, tax commissioner Kim Henares as they were the Cojuangco-Aquino favorites,” Canlas said.
“Sereno's appointment is a step closer to the reveral of the Hacienda Luisita ruling. On the other hand, the interest of the poor farmworkers would be threatened,” Canlas added.
“On the instance, the Hacienda Luisita ruling is revised even to the littlest provision, Aquino should be held liable for betrayal of public trust as this only proves that he used public funds and resources to oust former chief justice Corona, then appointed Sereno only to serve the interest of his family,” Canlas said.
AMGL and Ambala said that Sereno has been undoubtedly pro-Cojuangco-Aquino. Sereno's dissenting opinion on the November 22, 2011 decision that the Cojuangco-Aquino should enjoy 'just' compensation based on 2006 prices. Her arguments was used by the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI) on their motion to clarify and reconsider filed on December 27 last year.
“Aquino's appointment is a repeat of what Arroyo has done during her administration. Appointing a chief justice who would protect their own interests. This time around, the 'Aquino court' has been created, with Hacienda Luisita as its primary agenda,” Canlas said.
The groups said that different sectors should oppose Sereno's appoinment as this is an opposite of reforming the judiciary, preservation of ruling class' protection of their interests and total disregard of social justice.
“We should take note of Sereno's term as chief justice for 18 years. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have a strategic plan for appointing her,” Canlas said.
Sereno is the youngest appointed chief justice at age 52 with a term to expire on 2030, on her age of 77.
“Aquino has bastardized the justice system in our country. He is attempting to restore his family's control on the Hacienda Luisita, as well as of his haciendero class. We remind Aquino not to ignite this little spark that could lead to a big prairie fire he would not be able to extinguish,” Canlas said. #
Farmers groups said that they have already anticipated the decision that Aquino would appoint a string -puppet to serve the interest of their family and opposed the creation of an 'Aquino court' since June.
“We extremely oppose the appoinment of Sereno as it is very clear that she is a defender of the Cojuangco-Aquino family”, stated by Joseph Canlas, AMGL chairperson.
“We are very angered that Aquino and his family are attempting to get Hacienda Luisita back,” stated by Rodel Mesa, Chairperson, Ambala.
“We opposed the nomination of former San Miguel Corp. legal executive and current solicitor general Francis Jardeleza, associate justices Antonio Carpio and Lourdes Sereno, tax commissioner Kim Henares as they were the Cojuangco-Aquino favorites,” Canlas said.
“Sereno's appointment is a step closer to the reveral of the Hacienda Luisita ruling. On the other hand, the interest of the poor farmworkers would be threatened,” Canlas added.
“On the instance, the Hacienda Luisita ruling is revised even to the littlest provision, Aquino should be held liable for betrayal of public trust as this only proves that he used public funds and resources to oust former chief justice Corona, then appointed Sereno only to serve the interest of his family,” Canlas said.
AMGL and Ambala said that Sereno has been undoubtedly pro-Cojuangco-Aquino. Sereno's dissenting opinion on the November 22, 2011 decision that the Cojuangco-Aquino should enjoy 'just' compensation based on 2006 prices. Her arguments was used by the Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI) on their motion to clarify and reconsider filed on December 27 last year.
“Aquino's appointment is a repeat of what Arroyo has done during her administration. Appointing a chief justice who would protect their own interests. This time around, the 'Aquino court' has been created, with Hacienda Luisita as its primary agenda,” Canlas said.
The groups said that different sectors should oppose Sereno's appoinment as this is an opposite of reforming the judiciary, preservation of ruling class' protection of their interests and total disregard of social justice.
“We should take note of Sereno's term as chief justice for 18 years. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have a strategic plan for appointing her,” Canlas said.
Sereno is the youngest appointed chief justice at age 52 with a term to expire on 2030, on her age of 77.
“Aquino has bastardized the justice system in our country. He is attempting to restore his family's control on the Hacienda Luisita, as well as of his haciendero class. We remind Aquino not to ignite this little spark that could lead to a big prairie fire he would not be able to extinguish,” Canlas said. #
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