Aquino distances self from hacienda case

President Benigno Aquino III has divested his interests in Hacienda Luisita.

This was Malacañanang's statement, through presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, as a response to calls for the redistrribution of the 6,000-hectare property of the Cojuangcos.

Further, Malacañang said that the government will abide by the Supreme Court's decision calling for another referendum among the farmers.

"Number one ... the President has already divested his shares," said Lacierda.

"Number two, all the more that there's an SC decision, that decision must be observed," he added.

Lacierda stressed that they are still waiting for the recommendations of the Department of Agrarian Reform secretary as well as the Office of the Solicitor General so they can decide what course of action to take.

"So once it is taken, the OSG, Joel Cadiz, will inform us what course of action they will take," he said.

In the meantime, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said that the president's silence "clearly shows that he tolerates his family's illegal and immoral control of Hacienda Luisita and the continuing social injustice and denial of farm workers' just and legitimate rights to the land."

Hacienda Luista, owned by the Cojuangco family, is located in Tarlac. — ARA