These days, the word, “hacienda,” signifies controversy.
“Members of the Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) recently filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) a total of 41 criminal complaints against the President’s sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, uncle Peping Cojuangco, board members of the Tarlac Development Corporation, former Land Transportation Office chief Virginia Torres, Tarlac Provincial Police Director Alex Sintin, and former Tarlac City police chief Bayani Razalan,” report Nikko Dizon and Tarra Quismundo in Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The report noted: “AMBALA legal counsel Atty. Jobert Pahilga explained that the complaints of attempted murder, arson, child abuse, physical injuries, illegal arrest and arbitrary detention, theft, robbery and malicious mischief were filed for alleged incidents of harassment against Luisita farmers in recent months.”
The Palace, as the report said, “challenged the farmers’ group to show evidence against the President’s relatives or else their complaint would merely be a ‘smear’ campaign against President Aquino.”
In a text message, presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte stated: “Given the range of crimes being alleged, the accusers must prove all of their accusations with evidence that will withstand legal scrutiny. Otherwise, it is a mere attempt to smear the President through his relatives and will clearly be a PR stunt.”
Photo: Screengrab from Gov.ph
