The case of Batch 1 is with the Supreme Court awaiting resolution. This petition questions the mode of appeal made by LandBank based on pure question of law filed with the Court of Appeals. If the case will be given due course by the Supreme Court, a memorandum will be required for submission and based on such a decision will be made and hopefully will pass upon the merits of the case.

Batch 2 is with the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 55, it was held in abeyance pending resolution of the 1st Batch. However, a hearing on April 22 was calendared to determine whether the case would proceed independently of the 1st Batch.

Batch 3 case for the restoration of 40% BEP is with the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 34.

Based on the earlier decision of the RTC, Batch 1 is not a class suit since the petitioners were not the authorized representatives of all employees of LandBank. In the event that the case is won in court only the petitioners would be benefited.

LBPEA NEB on its meeting last February 13 came to a decision for the filing of intervention to represent the employees who were not petitioners in these cases subject to their approval through a special power of attorney.

However, the major issue and constraint lies on the legal fee of 30% which is not acceptable to majority. Actually, this is a contingent fee- we pay only if we win, if not we lose nothing.

While we are waiting and doing nothing to receive these benefits, there are lawyers who are working for us. As we all know, there are a number of Supreme Court decisions favoring payment of COLA.

LET THE LBPEA OFFICERS KNOW YOUR STAND, KINDLY CAST YOUR VOTE ON THE POLL AND YOU MAY WRITE YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE QUICK REPLY PORTION SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY. THANK YOU!