MANILA -- Anakpawis party-list Representative Rafael Mariano assailed the family of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for the reported settlement between farmers in the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the Cojuangco-Aquinos, saying that the farmers are unaware of such deal.

Reports said that Aquino’s family has reached a settlement under which farmers in its Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) will be given the option to retain shares of stock in the corporation or secure parcels of land from a third of the 6,500 hectare plantation up for distribution.

Mariano, who chairs the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), called the proposal as “deceptive, unjust and immoral.”

“This newly concocted deceptive and divisive proposal by the Cojuangco-Aquinos, in collaboration with bogus and yellow farm workers’ organization, is preposterous and highly unacceptable,” said Mariano.

Lito Bais, acting president of the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU), said the main labor group in the plantation, said he was unaware of the deal. ULWU staged the strike in 2004 that turned violent and left 14 people dead.

“I don’t know about any offer from Luisita or a compromise agreement,” Bais said. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)