[Two months after] DAR told: Implement SC decision on Luisita

Marking two months of the Supreme Court’s decision ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita’s lands to farmers, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno picketed the main office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City to call for the immediate implementation of the High Court’s decision.

KMU called on the public to be vigilant as the DAR is delaying the implementation of the SC’s decision so that Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III can maneuver against the decision to favor the Cojuangco-Aquino family.

The labor center launched “Bantay Luisita,” a campaign to push for the immediate implementation of the SC’s decision on the farmland.

“We are calling on the workers and people to be vigilant. With former Chief Justice Renato Corona out of the way, Aquino will surely seek to reverse or undermine the SC’s decision on Luisita,” said Joel Maglunsod, KMU vice-chairperson for political affairs.

“We do not believe that Aquino respects the final and executory decision of the Supreme Court. He did not move heaven and earth to oust Corona for nothing,” he added.

“We need to put pressure on the DAR to speed up the implementation of the ruling. Delays in the implementation of the ruling will only benefit Aquino and the Cojuangco-Aquino family,” he said.

KMU underscored the importance of the SC’s decision.

“The SC decision on Luisita is most just. It seeks to give to the farmers what has been denied them for decades,” Maglunsod said.

“The Cojuangco-Aquinos have raked in so much wealth from owning the Luisita lands and exploiting the rightful owners of the land. They may be keeping mum on the issue right now, but they cannot be trusted on the issue of the ownership of Luisita,” he said.

“They promised to subject Luisita to land reform but repeatedly maneuvered to keep their control of the land. They have repeatedly used the presidency to advance their selfish interests,” he added