Agrarian reform was proudly and loudly proclaimed by someone after Edsa I. Agrarian reform thus started in high gear. But there was an exemption to the program, i.e., the Hacienda Luisita. Farmers, their relatives and friends were mercilessly gunned down in Mendiola. But Hacienda Luisita was unmoved. There were those hideously killed in Tarlac itself on account of the same dangerous and even deadly land phenomenon. But Hacienda Luisita remained intact, at least and in peace.
Then there was nothing less than the 14-0 final executor judgment rendered by the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines concretely and categorically in favor of the land reform of the Hacienda Luisita.
This historically infamous land tenure of a family however still remains solid and intact. In other words, both the Hacienda and the Azucarera are to this date decidedly and calmly doing their standard agenda.
Then, the department specifically concerned with agrarian reform in the Philippines bravely said that it was assiduously attending to the implementation of the said judgment of the SC.
Let it be well noted though that the said agency is directly under the now all-powerful Executive Branch department of government whose supreme head is precisely identified with Hacienda Luisita as a no mean owner.
Lately, the same Department of Agrarian Reform said that no less than about 1,000 farmer beneficiaries of the Hacienda were already dead — and it is wherefore having a tough time identifying the farmer beneficiaries who are still alive.
The conclusion is obvious: If the same Department continues to merrily sit on the case — as it has conveniently and gleefully done in the past decades and not one of the famers would eventually remain alive. The Hacienda Luisita wherefore would stay intact, compact, and integral.
More recently, someone delivered the so-called “Sona.” It was about one hour and a half long. It spoke about anything and everything — including the purchase of so many guns, this number of planes and this kind of boats as some kind of a too little and so late preparation for war from within and without.
And lo and behold! Agrarian Reform was mentioned for but a few second and in general — with deadly silence about Hacienda Luisita in the concrete.
Incidentally, the Sona speaker is well identified with the Hacienda ownership — all allegations to the contrary notwithstanding.
One thing is certain: No judgment even by the Supreme Court of the land — no matter how many times “final” and “executory” it may be — is self-implementing.
Precisely, it belongs to the Executive Department to act on it accordingly — if ever. And this is a big “if.”
Pitiful Hacienda Luisita farmers!
(Reprinted with permission of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, from www.ovc.blogspot.com)