Luisita farmers decry latest forms of harassment
Video: HLI farmers decry latest forms of harassment
Video: HLI farmers decry latest forms of harassment
By RONALYN V. OLEA
In another twist in the long-standing agrarian dispute at Hacienda Luisita of the Cojuangco-Aquino clan, a Tarlac court issued warrants of arrest against the farm workers for cultivating the land for survival.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
"Are stockholders subjected to exploitation and abuse? Are stockholders deliberately kept in the dark and excluded from all pertinent discussions regarding how a business is run?" -- Lito Bais, president of United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu)
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“By not issuing any decision today, the Supreme Court prolongs the sufferings of farm workers and provides opportunity for the Cojuangco-Aquinos to maneuver.” – Lito Bais, president of the United Luisita Workers Union (Ulwu) said.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
When the lawyers of the Cojuangco family said, during the September 14 hearing, that they are open to land distribution if the price is right, the farm workers finally became hopeful. However, the Cojuangco clan denied it the very next day.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
On a roller coaster ride in their struggle for the land they till, victory seems to be within grasp for the farm workers of Hacienda Luisita after the mediation panel announced that the land should be distributed, effectively revoking the Stock Distribution Option being imposed by the Cojuangco clan.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
"The farm workers of Hacienda Luisita had been through so many referendums already. All of these were merely used by the Cojuangco family to deceive the farm workers and keep the land." – Lito Bais United Luisita Workers Union acting chairperson.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Ulwu chairman Lito Bais said the financial package from Hacienda Luisita management was meant to lure farm workers into the compromise-agreement bait. “They exploited the poverty of the farm workers and used money to deceive them,” he said. Bais also accused the Cojuangco-Aquinos of "hoodwinking" farm workers of hundreds of millions from earlier land deals.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“We never had any dialogue [with HLI management],” said Lito Bais, a leader of the Luisita union, noting that the Inquirer report on the deal came two weeks before the scheduled oral arguments before the Supreme Court on Aug. 18. Bais said the supposed agreement is meant to send a message to the members of the high court. “They want to influence the outcome of the SC decision.”
As lawyers haggle over the legality of the revocation of the stock distribution option in Hacienda Luisita, the farm workers continue to reap benefits from tilling the land and earn money from the on-going sugar cane harvest. By Abner Bolos Bulatlat.com As lawyers...
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