MikeLigalig.com

By Efren Danao, Philippine Star, January 2000

Any government compromise with industrialist Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. on the P40-billion coconut levy fund would be questionable without any definitive ruling that the levy constitutes public funds, Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr. said yesterday.

There were reports that a compromise is in the offing and that President Estrada is drafting an executive order to create a committee that would oversee the disposition of the coconut levy.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the coconut levy is imbued with public interest, but the tribunal did not rule that the levy constitutes public funds.

Guingona said the government cannot touch the coconut levy without approval by the Sandiganbayan. He pointed out that the anti-graft court has exclusive jurisdiction over illegal wealth-related cases against the Marcoses and their cronies like Cojuangco.

The senator added that any compromise with persons associated with the Marcoses must be publicly disclosed, as directed by the Supreme Court in the case of Chavez vs the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Guingona reminded President Estrada that when the latter was still a senator, he authored Senate Bill 1720 authorizing the acquisition of assets obtained through the coconut levy for distribution to coconut farmers, tenants and workers.

He urged the President to certify a similar bill filed by Quezon Rep. Wigberto Tañada and other congressmen "so that any proceeds from the coco levy would be remitted directly to its intended beneficiaries -- the coconut farmers, tenants and workers."

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