Saturday, June 23, 2007 Banana growers not satisfied with court injunction By Carlo P. Mallo
AS EXPECTED, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) will not stop at just getting the writ of preliminary injunction, which will put on hold the implementation of the aerial spraying ban Saturday for three months. Instead, they are out to prove that the ban is unconstitutional and, thus, cannot be implemented.
Stephen Antig, president of the PBGEA, admitted that they are relieved that they were given another three months to be able to use aerial spraying as an agricultural practice.
"But what we are really hoping for is for the ordinance to be declared null and void," Antig said.
In the decision granting the writ, PBGEA has to pay a bond of P1-million, an amount the group is willing to pay.
"One million is something that the industry can live with compared to the cost that a shift from aerial spraying would entail us," Antig said. His statement hints at their confidence that they will be able to show that the ban is null and void as there is no certainty that aerial spraying will be allowed after the three-month extension and the payment of the bond.
Antig said they have yet to discuss with their lawyers the merits of the case.
Antig meanwhile brushed off accusations of those opposed to aerial spraying saying everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
