By Raïssa Robles
Hacienda Luisita
In May 1987, the independent polling organization Social Weather Stations gave then President Corazon Aquino the findings of a “preliminary and confidential [and] non-commissioned” survey showing most Filipinos wanted her to distribute Hacienda Luisita to the tenants.
The timing of the survey release was important. Mrs Aquino could still do something about the survey results since she still wielded law-making powers under the Freedom Constitution.
The survey response showed Filipinos were overwhelmingly for Mrs Aquino using her vast powers to effect land redistribution:
Portion from a Social Weather Station March 1987 survey
The SWS asked respondents directly whether they were FOR including Hacienda Luisita for land redistribution. And the respondents replied:
Portion from March 1987 Social Weather Station survey
Mrs Aquino’s law-making powers lapsed, however, when Congress reconvened on July 1 after an absence of 39 years.
Unknown to the public, most of those they had voted into office had vast landholdings.
Being landlord-dominated, Congress exempted huge estates including Hacienda Luisita from direct land redistribution.
SWS president Dr. Mahar Mangahas wrote a paper discussing the Hacienda Luisita findings. Among the two most important findings he saw were:
Number 1: An “overwhelming number” of respondents wanted Hacienda Luisita placed under land reform (see Number 4):
From "Public Opinion on Land Reform" by Mahar Mangahas, 1987
Number 2: The urgent need for the Cojuangco family “to participate” in the “speedy” redistribution of Hacienda Luisita
Excerpt from "Public Opinion on Land Reform" by Mahar Mangahas, 1987
I should stress here that Dr. Mangahas was not expressing his personal opinion regarding land reform. He was discussing the SWS findings then regarding this very touchy, incendiary subject.
Dr. Mangahas said respondents saw that Ferdinand Marcos’s land reform program which only touched on rice lands did not go far enough.
He noted that based on the responses, Filipinos overwhelmingly wanted land reform to go even further:
Excerpt from "Public Opinion on Land Reform" by Mahar Mangahas, 1987
Why Pres. Cory did not follow survey
One of the Palace insiders I have talked to since, told me why President Cory Aquino never used her vast revolutionary powers to implement a sweeping and genuine land reform program that covered huge landed estates like that of her family. I was told she was pressured by her oldest brother, the clan patriarch Pedro Cojuangco – the man who died recently – and by her own brother Peping Cojuangco, not to distribute the land to the farmers.
Fernando Cojuangco has actually told listeners – “Over my dead body”
A separate source also told me about hearing Pedro Cojuangco’s son, Fernando, say something aloud during a gathering when the conversation wandered to land reform and Hacienda Luisita.
Fernando Cojuangco told his listeners: “Over my dead body.”
Perhaps his remark showed how passionately he felt about the land. He is after all the administrator of Hacienda Luisita.
The Cojuangco lawyer’s recent statement, though, seems to show a kind of softening.
Why do I write about such a divisive issue at this time?
Because it is one of the unfinished business of President Cory Aquino and the entire Filipino nation. We cannot move forward as a nation because of this. The energies of many Filipinos are devoted to blocking land reform or trying to ram it through.
The communist rebellion continues to feed on this issue.
Some one million hectares of land are not being used to their full potential because the landowners continue to resist land reform with the same passion as the late Congresswoman Hortencia Starke.
In 1987, Starke threatened to lead a counter-revolution. Here is my memento of that sad era. Starke gave away T-shirts like these to us Senate reporters:
Landlords like Congresswoman Hortencia-Starke threatened to revolt in order to keep their vast haciendas. Here's what she gave reporters
Perhaps there are those in the Cojuangco clan who think I should stick my nose into my own business and I have no right to intrude on what happens to their land.
Sorry to say, I have the moral ascendancy to write on this issue
My family was among those whose landholdings were seized by Marcos for land reform. And unlike the Cojuangcos who borrowed money to buy their land, my grandfather, the late Dr. Mariano Lamson, bought the land using his earnings as a medical doctor in the province of Nueva Ecija.
I still remember him raging to his dying day. My mother and aunts, too, were deprived of their inheritance. And I, too, could have been wealthy by now if we still had that land – converted to a mall or subdivision.
But I believe in genuine land reform which includes redistribution and hand-holding farmer-beneficiaries
Despite what had happened to our family I believe in genuine land reform.
Japan, Taiwan, China and South Korea were only able to progress and modernize as a nation after undertaking genuine land reform.
Not the bogus kind that Hacienda Luisita has been trying to pass off as land reform. Not the kind that all other haciendas in the country, including those of the Arroyo brothers, are trying to emulate using Hacienda Luisita as the model.
The Cojuangcos know in their hearts it is bogus and just a ploy to keep the land and then convert this to other uses like a mall, an industrial zone, a BPO, etc.
What they don’t understand, perhaps, is that their family – the Cojuangcos – has this choice before them whether or not to live forever as heroes in Philippine history. And to be respected the way the family name Rizal is respected across ages.
They do not understand that it is not the land that is valuable but their name – Cojuangco.
That is the coin that will open doors for them for generations to come once they give up the land with joy and generosity.
How that will unleash a revolution of giving all across the nation.
_________________________________
Read below Dr. Mahar Mangahas’ 1987 report entitled:
Public Opinion on Land Reform
I would like to thank Dr. Mangahas for this copy.
Maria Elizabeth Embry says
SOURCE: http://www.gopetition.com/online/35733.html
LIFT TRO HDA LUISITA Published by Maria Elizabeth Embry of Antioch California on Apr 24, 2010
[email protected]
Hacienda Luisita, 42 years Blowin’ in the Wind (1968-2010)
How many more Hacienda Luisita farmers must die
Before we can call ’em owners of their land?
Yes, ‘n’ how many Laws they must passed
Before you can call it an Agrarian Reform Law?
Yes, ‘n’ how many more farmers the guards must slay
Before you can say it is enough?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer, indeed is blowin’ in the wind.
How many times must Hacienda Luisita farmers fight
Before they can see the end of their plight?
Yes, ‘n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear the farmer cry?
Yes, ‘n’ how many massacres will it take till we all wake up
That too many Hacienda Luisita sakadas have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer, indeed is blowin’ in the wind.
How many years can the Hacienda Luisita farmer’s plea exists
Before it’s heard by y’all?
Yes, ‘n’ how many years can Hacienda Luisita farmers complain
Before they’re allowed to be right?
Yes, ‘n’ how many times can some people turn their heads,
Pretending they just do not see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,
The answer, indeed is blowin’ in the wind.
Danie says
Very informative and fair. How could you excel on this? Awesome job.
Dennis says
Another intriguing piece from a master. Ang galing!
If I may interject, I’m not saying that CARP is bullsh*t, but why does the gov’t allow land ownership(accumulation through legitimate ways) in the first place if they will just distribute them to others? Come on, who has not dreamed of having an hacienda where you can cherish the fruits of your labor? Was it wrong for people to acquire in the first place? Was it wrong to hire people to work for your land? Forgive my stupidity on the matter, but this is something that has hounded me.
I am a middle-income OFW dreaming of one day owning a farmland. To cherish it and bring fruits of labor. To help people prosper. But this CARP threatens this dream, because as an investor, I don’t want my hard earned livelihood be taken away by this law. Hope you understand where i am coming from.
Of course I know where the farmers are coming from, but I just wish, we Filipinos learn that we should work hard and earn our way through living, and not just wait for the government to provide for our needs. Yes we pay taxes, but our taxes can only do so much (of course it’s a different story if no corruption). I mean to say, farmers were clamouring to get the land, but in the end, like most of us, when we cant get enough of the land, we just sell away our land to the highest bidder.
It’s not like the farmers are not compensated at all during their work in the farm. Have they not dreamed on owning their own by buying or acquiring through legit ways than wait for the land to be part of CARP and be distributed to them?
So this land ownership issue becomes a cycle, which why CARP is a useless legislation for me. Unless the government can put strict restrictions on the lands which were distributed, farmers will just be another “professional squatter” in the society. Sorry for harsh words if I offended anyone.
raissa says
You raised valid points.
However, in the case of big landed estates this is part of the tenancy problem dating back to the Commonwealth period and even earlier.
You can still dream of owning your own farm. But I guess not to the tune of 6,000 hectares.
Dennis says
You are right Ms Raissa, but i was not even thingking that big. :)
But do note on CARP LAW OF 1988 there is a rentention limit for anyone to own…
SEC. 6. Retention Limits. – Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no person may own or retain, directly, any public or private agricultural land, the size of which shall vary according to factors governing a viable family-sized farm, such as commodity produced, terrain, infrastructure, and soil fertility as determined by the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) created hereunder, but in no case shall the retention by the landowner exceed five (5) hectares. Three (3) hectares may be awarded to each child of the landowner, subject to the following qualifications: (1) that he is at least fifteen (15) years of age; and (2) that he is actually tilling the land or directly managing the farm: Provided, That landowners whose lands have been covered by Presidential Decree No. 27 shall be allowed to keep the area originally retained by them thereunder; Provided, further, That original homestead grantees or direct compulsory heirs who still own the original homestead at the time of the approval of this Act shall retain the same areas as long as they continue to cultivate said homestead.
So i this case, if an unwed individual started working hard to own more than 5 hectares and subsequently marries but failed to bear children, the gov’t would have the right to include his land for CARP.
Assuming his land is still farmlands and falls under definition.
Now, comes the trickier part. The govt has been wondering why are agriculture production has been declining, and blame it all to poor crops, bad weather, etc. But it seems none of the officials have blamed it to decreasing/missing agricultural lands. You cant blame the land owner if they sell away or convert their land if “just compensation” of CARP will be considered.
So again, if the CARP law will be ammended to include provissions which makes sense to the current era, it will fail miserably. Just my thought ma’am.
raissa says
There are developments that cater to “weekend farmers”. Some are in Tagaytay. YOu can check these out.
nona says
i just reread martinez confession after 24 years in jail that cojuangco ordered the assasination of ninoy.
no wonder neither cory or noynoy sought justice and never showed any interest. they already knew the dirty family secret
money is thicker than blood.
raissa says
Frankly, I don’t know at this point whom to believe.
But definitely, it was the Marcos couple that had control of the military apparatus at that time.
YOu know the joke at that time shortly after Ninoy’s aassasination?
“Bakit ang tagal bago natukoy kung ano ang pangalan ng gunman na bumaril kay Ninoy?
Answer – Kasi ang bagal magburda ng pangalan sa brief ni Mrs. Ver.”
betsak says
http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/2012-08-19/839610/joma-sison-ninoy-marcos-mao-cory-p-noy-ara-mina-lino-brocka
this answers the question according to joma…
Joseline says
Are you saying that President Cory Aquino chose to heed to the words of a few affluently-living family members rather than to 6,000 almost starving farmers?
raissa says
It was not only Mrs. Aquino. Even people areound her pressured her. And of course her brothers.
nona says
We know aquino is economical with the truth when it suits him
– porsche, lexus, psyhiatric history etc.
It is also widely believed that cory aquino did not dispense with her hacienda luisita shares and that p-noy also evades the question when and to whom he sold his shares.
The first words out of aquinos mouth after the SC decision – not about justice – but ‘we need to compensate the landowners as well’!
Interesting since this is going to be one of the cojuangco legal ploys to delay distribution.
Easy to tell which side the many faced aquino is on in this issue.
lean says
thank so much!
lean says
*you
epoy says
Dyan masusubukan si pnoy kung wala syang motive para maging presidente… to protect personal interest sa hacienda luisita… protection ang gagawin.. syempre Blood is thicker than water….
At least, may magandang naidulot, sana kasama na mga hacienda ng mga arroyo maibigay…
Good thing happened sa pag appoint ni arroyo sa SC, at least check and balance is happened…
Rochie says
if Cory were still alive, would the other Cojuangcos listen to her (or for that matter, to Pnoy), when her family owns only about 4% or so? would she have a voice above the others in her clan who enjoy more slices of the pie that is Hacienda Luisita? I think Pnoy is in a dilemma since his share is not even 0ne percent now since there are 5 of them who will divide among themselves what Cory’s share was. Since it is a corporation, can he ( as Phl president) dictate to them on what to do? his only recourse now to avoid being ganged up by his own clan is to abide by the SC ruling on the distribution of lands to farm workers.
Arnold says
“if Cory were still alive, would the other Cojuangcos listen to her ”
Cory was the president of a revolutionary government !!! the figurehead of most of those legislators that passed the CARP, she has the veto power. If she wanted to distribute Hacienda Luisita, she could have done it notwithstanding her clan. She did not !! that says many things about she was.
raissa says
Only partly.
She did not give up the presidency despite numerous coup attempts. If she had, we would be a problematic as Egypt is now.
rochie says
how can she give what she did not have? again, she only owned a very, very minute part of the hacienda. i wonder what those “many things” were.
Life Insurance Philippines says
Yes, Cory could have copied Marcos and nationalized Hacienda Luisita in order to distribute it. But doing so would have been against the principle of due process that a modern democracy should exhibit. This all boils down to the judiciary. If they were able to resolve cases in an expedient manner, the land would have been distributed years ago.
raissa says
Hello, she had revolutionary powers at that time.
And democracy and land reform do go together.
Because what we have right now in the Philippines is elite democracy.
nona says
very tortuous and indefinable.
better not to think!
free press a dictators nightmare
or of course if comments do not originate in the country then libel irrelevant.
bye for now from singapore
pro pinoy says
So don’t mess up with the media or they will demonized u like marcos and arroyo.Just followed what lopez family want and averything gonna be alright.long live the oligarch
nona says
you mean for example if i accuse arroyo of stealing the election.
allegedly
as a friend told me.
raissa says
you can say – widely accused of stealing the election
David says
Dear Raissa,
My father instilled in my heart and mind, the thought that to only way to have anything in life, of value, is to simply give it away, be it a lesson or tutrial session in a favorite subject, a little pocket change, sack of rice, anything of value.
Shortly after our baby died in the states, I realized I had to get my wife back to the Philippines where she would be surrounded by friends, loved ones, and members of the extended family.
Realizing the cost of raising and educating a child in the states, and the deprivation of that responcibility,due to the sudden death of our baby, we felt the best way to honor him was to help the less fortunate in the Philippines.
Both factors, the death of my baby and the desire for his legacy to live on, sealed our decision, and we moved back to the Philippines. My wife and I have provided an education for 9 nurses, 2 engineers, 3 HMR’s majors, whom otherwise would have had no chance to succeed in life.
We do not judge our wealth by the size of our bank account but rather by how many less fortunate we can help by providing opportunities to succeed. So many times, these students some of which were our maids, come back and ask ” Uncle, how can we ever repay you”? I simply tell them that someday in their life, they will see an opportunity to extend a helping hand to someone just as deserving as they were. If they will extend that helping hand, then we will be PAID IN FULL and Leslie, our baby’s legacy lives on.
I was touched by your article, and agree that in a spirit of accomplishment, a new revolution can be started whereby we all pitch in with our little sparks of generosity, until we ignite a bon fire of hope and prosperity, that spreads across the magnificant chain of islands, knows as the Phiippines. Given the resources, the Filipino people could feed the world.
raissa says
I was also touched by your story.
Leslie will live on.
Danie says
I am touched with your story and admire your compassionate & geniune heart. Your baby Leslie is proud watching you from heaven. May God bless your family.
nona says
did cojuangco not mean ” over ninoy’s dead body”!
unfortunately the cojuangco name is worth no more than a greek government bond.
this is the problem with those who steal money in the first place. they never have style, class or values. nouveau riche or simply trailer trash with cash.
they will continue their legal manouvres
raissa says
steal money?
nona says
steal?
another murky area of financial manoevering and creative accounting.
i dont know enough to be categoric.
i just remain sceptical about the initial funding.
the latter actions show that these are not officers or gentleman so anything is possible, and probable
raissa says
P. when you accuse someone of stealing, you need to be very specific.
Or you could leave yourself open to a libel suit.
Not kidding.
Life Insurance Philippines says
What do you call borrowing the land on the condition that it would be distributed to the farmers later, and then doing your very best to hamper the distribution of the said land?
raissa says
Magulang?
nona says
and just to add as an executive of a western multinational the principles of corporate governance are clearer and, in the main, business ethics more robust (wall st excluded)
i say steal – ‘you’ say ?borrow
raissa says
No.
tahimik says
hindi ako mangmang.. pero ilang ulit ko binasa ang iyong kumento.. ang masasabi ko lang eh.. ANG LABO MO… d:)