MANILA, Philippines – A group of Martial Law victims is set to file on Wednesday, July 1, a class suit against Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his mother Ilocos Norte 2^nd district Representative Imelda Marcos before the Makati City Regional Trial Court.

The organization Claimants 1081 said the lawsuit would help enforce the Hawaii court ruling that cited the two Marcoses in contempt for refusing to pay compensatory damages amounting to US$353.6 million, after they ignored the original US judgment of US$2 billion for 9,539 human rights victims.

“The lawsuit against Rep. Imelda R. Marcos and Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is singularly significant because it magnifies in perspective the total arrogance of the Marcos family in its historical denial of the gross violations of human rights committed by Ferdinand Marcos under martial law,” Claimants 1081 said in a statement. 

The group also cited Republic Act 10368 or the Recognition and Reparation of Martial Law Victims Act, which was passed in 2013, saying both Marcoses, as members of Congress during the time, should follow the law.

RA 10368 recognizes the government’s culpability in committing gross violations of human rights under martial law and the responsibility to provide monetary and non-monetary compensation to victims. 

“It is their obligation to uphold the law as they are in Congress when RA 10368 was approved. Why would they not comply with the Court’s decision when the State has already recognized its responsibility to the victims?” Loretta Rosales, chairperson of the group, said.

The Marcos dictatorship is accused of massive human rights violations and corruption. The late president Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a peaceful revolt in February 1986. – Rappler.com