LANDBANK clarifies role in Hacienda Luisita compensation case

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) clarified recently that it is no longer a party respondent in the just compensation case involving Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI), following a ruling by the Court of Appeals (CA).

In a press statement, LANDBANK said it was formally dropped as a respondent in the case titled Hacienda Luisita, Inc. vs. Land Bank of the Philippines and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) [CA-G.R. SP No. 180821], based on the CA’s April 30, 2024 decision.

The bank also noted that the more recent CA ruling dated April 25, 2025, which ordered the payment of P28.49 billion in just compensation to HLI, is chargeable against the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF). 

The ARF is owned by the National Government and administered by the DAR, while LANDBANK serves only as the custodian responsible for disbursing funds upon the DAR’s instruction.

LANDBANK emphasized that the CA ruling is not yet final and executory. The DAR filed a Motion for Reconsideration in May 2025, which is still pending. Should the CA deny the motion, the DAR may elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

The clarification comes amid renewed public interest in the decades-old land reform case involving one of the country’s most controversial estates.