MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 28, 2013) – The Philippines House of Representatives has ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the human rights compensation bill for martial law victims, state media said.
Once signed into law by President Benigno Aquino, the reconciled version of House Bill No. 5990 and Senate Bill No. 3334 will be known as the “Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.”
The Philippines News Agency said the measure seeks to grant reparation for human rights victims under the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos, including claimants of an earlier case resolved by the US Federal Court in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Under the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, the victims will be awarded compensation using USD 246 million that the Philippine government recovered from Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth.
However, all claims will still have to be evaluated by an independent commission and the amount each victim will receive will depend on the abuse suffered. (Cielito Reganit)
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