Malacañang on Saturday sought to downplay accusations that Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza was nominated for the Chief Justice post to seize control of the Supreme Court and have President Benigno Aquino III's family keep ownership of Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said there is no basis for such claims as the Supreme Court already decided on the matter, and the executive branch will implement that decision.

"Una sa Luisita, the case is already finished. Valuation na lang pinag-uusapan dito," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

She also advised the militant groups making such claims to bring their opposition to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is drawing up the short list for the next Chief Justice.

But as of now, she said the JBC has not made up a definite list of candidates for President Aquino's consideration.

"It is their (farmer's groups) right to oppose any nomination, pero wala pang short list from the JBC," she said.

On the other hand, she said Aquino already laid down the "qualifications" for the next Chief Justice, including probity, integrity, competence, and independence.

"When the president says that, he means it. Ang hanap natin (the one we are looking for) is somebody who can represent the judiciary by way of a serious commitment to judicial reform and judicial independence," she said.

On Saturday, the Manila Standard Today newspaper quoted the left-leaning Anakpawis group linking Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza's nomination for Chief Justice to alleged attempts by the Aquino-Cojuangco family to keep Hacienda Luisita.

Jardeleza is a long-time senior vice president of San Miguel Corp. and is said to have close ties with former Ambassador and San Miguel Corp. boss Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., President Aquino's uncle.

On the other hand, Aquino's critics claim Aquino had tried to remove Renato Corona as Chief Justice so he could appoint someone friendly to Malacañang.

'Fruitful' dialogue with farmers

Valte said government officials had a fruitful dialogue with farmers, many of whom marched from the provinces to demand land reform.

She said the meeting started at 2 p.m. Friday and lasted a little over four hours.

Among those representing the government were secretaries Florencio Abad (budget), Proceso Alcala (agriculture), Virgilio delos Reyes (agrarian reform), presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda and Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad.

Valte said the farmers were updated on the progress of land distribution, and were assured of support services.

"Maganda naman ang naging dayalogo kahapon between the farmers and our fellow workers in government," she said.

She also said arrangements may be made if the farmers still want to talk to Aquino personally.

"It was committed by our secretaries that the pace of land distribution will be hastened," she added.

Last Friday, a senior Manila bishop and several priests led the farmers' march to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang to drammatize their their clamor for genuine agrarian reform.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo was to join some 5,000 farmers from various provinces, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said Wednesday night.

Friday's march and rally was meant to mark the 24th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the CBCP noted.

Pabillo initially sought a dialogue between Aquino and the protesting peasants, but Aquino was on a trip to the United Kingdom and the US, and is due home Sunday. — LBG, GMA News