President Benigno Aquino III is doing the right thing as President to distance himself from the controversy brewing in the Hacienda Luisita deal with the farmers in Tarlac. Right now, he is under pressure to involve himself and resolve the deadlock between the farmers and Hacienda Luisita. But Aquino stood his ground and remained at a distance, thus preventing himself from being enmeshed on something that will only be attacked by his critics. Even religious leaders, at least some of them, are getting into the fray and are trying to pressure Aquino to get involved. No way, the Palace countered. It is already being handled by the Supreme Court and Hacienda Luisita is dealing with the farmers in an amicable way.
Unless laws are violated or the farmers are blatantly shortchanged in the settlement of issues regarding the distribution of land or shares, then the best that President Aquino should do is stay away from the subject and just do his job as President. Being the leader of the country, he must not take sides. His only focus should be on the advancement of the socio-economic conditions of the country as well as the maintenance of peace and order. He is no longer connected to any private entity like Hacienda Luisita. He must therefore stand his ground amidst pressures from headline-hugging individuals and groups who seem intent on perpetuating their influence or advancing their selfish and hollow cause to the detriment of people and institutions like the Presidency of Noynoy Aquino.
Hopefully, the problems that are sprouting from the Hacienda Luisita and its farmers could be settled in due time. But right now, the stance that Aquino has chosen in this controversy is the right thing. He is neutral and that is that.
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