House passes on 2nd reading extension for HR claims

MANILA, Philippines – Voting via viva voce, the House on Wednesday, October 22, passed on second reading a joint resolution seeking a 6-month extension for the filing of reparation claims for human rights violations committed during martial law.

The House is expected to pass the measure on third and final reading before Congress goes on recess on October 29, ahead of the original deadline of November 10 for the filing of claims, said Akbayan party-list Representative Barry Gutierrez, who co-authors the measure with fellow Akbayan party-list Representative Walden Bello.

A similar measure is pending in the Senate. 

As of October 2014, the Human Rights Victims Claims Board (HRVCB) has received more than 29,000 valid claims, still short of the expected 55,000 to 90,000, Gutierrez said. 

The HRVCB is tasked to distribute the P10 billion ($223.4 million*)-fund plus accrued interest that was transferred to the government from a Swiss account holding the ill-gotten wealth of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Republic Act 10368 represents the state’s formal acknowledgement of human rights violations committed during the martial law period. Under the law, individuals or their relatives who disappeared or were killed, tortured, illegally detained, deprived of livelihood and properties by agents of the state during martial law are entitled to compensation. 

Aside from monetary compensation, a memorial, a museum, or a library will also be built in their honor. (The web site of HRVCB may be accessed here.) – Rappler.com