Still blaming Danding for alleged coco levy misuse, KMP says 'good riddance'

Militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) refuses to condole with the kin of business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, Jr. who died Tuesday, citing issues on the coco levy fund.

In a statement, KMP said coconut farmers have yet to receive the coconut levy funds illegally amassed during the regime of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, allegedly by Conjuangco.

"Patay na si Danding Cojuangco Jr., hindi pa naibabalik sa mga magsasaka ng niyog ng pondo ng coco levy na dinambong ng mga promotor ng coco levy fund scam," said KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos.

Cojuangco, who served as chairman of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), died Tuesday. He was 85.

"What we really want to say is good riddance. Danding Cojuangco Jr. is the embodiment of the landlord-comprador-bourgeoisie ruling class who have enriched and empowered themselves through exploiting the Filipino masses, especially workers and farmers," said Ramos.

To recall, Cojuangco -- a close associate of Marcos -- was reported to have bought the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) using coco levy funds or taxes exacted from coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982.

Under his control, UCPB was then the administrator of a block -- composed of several companies formed using the coco levy tax -- that had a 27% share in SMC.

On May 7, 2004, the Sandiganbayan awarded the 27% block of shares of UCPB in SMC to the government.

For its part, Malacañang, condoled with the family of Cojuangco as it lauded him for his  “immense contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Philippines” through SMC.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of [Mr. Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco, Jr.],” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Senators aligned with the National People's Coalition -- where Cojuangco served as chairman emeritus -- also mourned the tycoon's passing. -NB, GMA News