This refers to your news article "Coco
farmers draft compromise agreement on SMC shares" dated January 28, 2006.
We, the coconut farmer members of the AM-Mindanaw
representing 17 coconut-producing provinces, vehemently oppose the compromise
deal on the coconut levy that is being promoted by Presidential Commission on
Good Government (PCGG) Chairperson Camilo Sabio and other coconut farmers group. We have no reason to
compromise our legal victories. The Supreme Court categorically declared that
the coconut levy funds are "prima facie" public funds. The Sandiganbayan, for its part, had already decided on the
case involving the CIIF-SMC shares of stock and ruled that the shares belong to
the government "in trust" for all coconut farmers. Why, then, should
we entertain any compromise agreement with the camp of Mr. Eduardo Cojuangco?
Not only is the behavior of Mr. Sabio detestable,
it is downright insulting. We have endured decades of injustice and poverty and
only recently found hope that our lot could improve under the able leadership
of the late Chairperson Haydee Yorac.
Our hopes were dashed when Chairperson Sabio,
together with Bishop Fernando Capalla, began peddling
a compromise agreement on the coco levy to the coconut farmers all over the
country. Entering into such an agreement is inconsistent with the previous
stance of former PCGG Chair Haydee Yorac who, during her term, advocated for the full recovery
of the coco levy funds. Chair Yorac argued that there
is no need to enter into any compromise agreement because of the victories in
the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan. The actions
of Mr. Sabio would reverse all our victories.
We have lost confidence in PCGG Chairperson Sabio.
By declaring that he is open to a compromise deal, Mr. Sabio
has practically handed the coconut levy funds to Mr. Cojuangco
and betrayed the small coconut farmers. Clearly, he no longer represents the
interests of the small coconut farmers and should resign his post.
(Sgd.) Jun
Adorable
Chairperson
AM-Mindanaw is an alliance of small coconut
farmers in Mindanao. For inquiries, please
call Atoy Atillo at
082-2911023 or 09275674892.
