CA orders DAR to pay HLI P28.49B for Hacienda Luisita lands

The Court of Appeals (CA) ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to pay Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) P28.49 billion in compensation for lands covered by agrarian reform.

However, the Land Bank of the Philippines clarified that it is not liable for the payment, as the amount will be charged to the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) managed by the DAR.

LANDBANK's role is solely as the custodian of the ARF, carrying out disbursement instructions from the DAR.

The CA's decision is not yet final and executory, as a Motion for Reconsideration was filed by the DAR in May 2025.

If the motion is sustained, the DAR may elevate the case to the Supreme Court.

The appellate court found errors in the computation of just compensation by the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court-Special Agrarian Court.

The compensation amount covers approximately 4,500 hectares of former Cojuangco family-owned HLI land in Tarlac.