Losing proposition
FRONTLINE |
![]() |
Ninez Cacho-Olivares |
The Supreme Court (SC) ruling that upheld the revocation of the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) plan that gave Hacienda Luisita farmers shares of stock in Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) in lieu of land ownership in the Aquino-Cojuangco sugar estate merely brought the farmers’ decades-old fight for what they believe to be theirs -- by virtue of the sale contract between the Cojuangcos and Tabacalera decades ago stipulating that the farmers would be granted land --- is back to where it was during Corazon Aquino’s time as president of the republic.
Ironically, this SDO issue crops up again, at a time when Cory’s son is now in Malacañang and once again, the farmers are going to be shortchanged — the third time over.
The first time was when the Cojuangco family reneged on the condition of the sugarland sale. The second time was during Cory’s time, when she circumvented the CARP law by coming with that SDO scheme with an election where it was reported, had the military looking over the farmer-electorate voting ways.
The third time is the SC’s decision in having yet another polling exercise for farmers to again go into the SDO scheme..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110706com2.html