Noynoy plan to give Hacienda Luisita hailed

The plan of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to convince his family to relinquish control over the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac is “a step to the right direction”, and if the Cojuangco-Aquino clan will support him, more so will the Liberal Party, a party official said.
Former Education Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, the party’s campaign manager, said Sunday that Aquino’s bold statement Saturday during his visit to a squatters’ colony in Quezon City is a positive development that will address public qualms about his fairness and independence.
Earlier, a group advocating farmers’ rights dared the only son of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and martyred Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. to scrap the October 30 ultimatum set by his family for some 500 families in Hacienda Luisita to leave the vast sugar plantation.
Members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno challenged the senator to prove his promise of a “working democracy” by “giving land to those who till it” and “ordering the military to stop harassing the farmers.”
“This is a positive development that paves the way to resolve certain controversial issues being thrown against Senator Aquino. It is certainly a step in the right direction that is still subject to the approval of his family.
“If the family rallies behind his stand, more so will his party mates,” Abad told the Manila Bulletin.

source:  The Manila Bulletin