Malacañang on Tuesday ordered the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to hasten the resolution of the agrarian reform row in the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde also urged the family of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to fully cooperate with the government in the wake of protests of farmers demanding their rightful share of the 6,400-hectare Luisita sugarland.

”We will direct the Department of Agrarian Reform to act with dispatch on the disposition of this case, to act with justice and fairness to this case,” Remonde said in a news conference in the Palace.

"We also appeal to all concerned including the Aquino and Cojuangco families and the complainants of this case to fully cooperate with the DAR in the immediate resolution of this case for the good of all concerned and justice to all,” he added.

In the last 20 years, the Cojuangco family has insisted on implementing the transfer of stocks rather than lands to workers and other beneficiaries, sparking calls for revocation of the stock distribution option.

Farmers have denounced the Aquino-Cojuangco family for allegedly distorting the essence of land reform and resorting to violence keep their land despite the existence of the agarian reform law.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman for economic Gary Olivar, meantime, urged Senator Aquino to answer questions on alleged involvement in the massacre in Hacienda Luisita five years ago especially since he is gunning for the presidency next year.

Olivar however said it would only be fair to let Aquino clear his name in the court of justice rather than in court of public opinion.

“If there will be an investigation, then so be it. This would give a chance to clear his name and avoid being pirouetted in the court of public opinion,” Olivar told reporters in the Palace.

“For the same reason that we say that he should be judged for his own achievements and not because of his generics, the same thing also applies if there are adverse things against him. That's only fair,” he added.