Palace assures steering clear of Hacienda Luisita case

MANILA, July 21 (PNA) -- President Benigno Aquino III will respect judicial proceedings on the row over distribution of his family's Hacienda Luisita (HL) sugar plantation in Tarlac province.

His spokesperson Edwin Lacierda gave this assurance, noting Mr. Aquino recognizes the judiciary's independence from the executive department that he heads and from the legislative branch of government as well.

The President will put himself "at arm's length" as far as the HL case is concerned, Lacierda said.

Lacierda gave this assurance after reports said Supreme Court (SC) set for Aug. 3 oral arguments on this case.

Such case involves HL farmers' petition for SC to review and recall the 2006 order that temporarily stopped distribution of the sugar plantation land to them through government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Lacierda said Mr. Aquino will leave this matter to HL's lawyers.

"The President has indirect ownership of the plantation so he'll allow the HL lawyers to deal with this," Lacierda said.

He also noted Mr. Aquino decided on such move since HL is a separate juridical entity. (PNA)