SELDA raises concern on the non-implementation of the law on the Human Rights Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 for martial law victims

Press Release
17 May 2013

Two and a half months after the passage of the ML Victims Reparation and Recognition Act (RA 10368)
SELDA raises concern on the non-implementation of the law on the Human Rights Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 for martial law victims

The rights group SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) raised concerns on the Aquino government’s failure to form the Human Rights Victims Claims Board which will process the application for reparation and recognition of martial law victims. The formation of the said Board signals the implementation of the said law which the victims have fought for so long.

“It has been two and half months since Pres. Aquino signed the bill into law. Within these months, SELDA learned that several martial law victims have died due to their illnesses without having seen the implementation of the said law.“Again, we reiterate what is taking the government so long to implement the law?” SELDA national coordinator Roneo Clamor asked.

Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 or RA 10368 requires that a Human Rights Victims Claims Board be formed within 30 days so it can proceed to formulate the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) after which it can start with its evaluation and processing of the claims of the martial law victims under the Marcos dictatorship. The President will appoint the members of the Claims Board

As one of the five organizations that may nominate members of the Claims Board, SELDA , submitted five names on March 12: its national chairperson, a multi-awarded artist who was twice detained, a UP College of Medicine faculty member, a lawyer from Cebu and another from General Santos City, for prospective members of the Board. Tanggol Bayi nominated a former congresswoman and a former member of the UP Board of Regents. They are individuals “with integrity, competence and probity and who understand the plight of the martial law victims.”

Up to the present, SELDA is kept in the dark about the Board’s formation that many of the victims are awaiting. The absence of information about the Claims Board raises questions as to Malacanang’s transparency in forming the Board and the possibility that for political reasons not even one of SELDA’s nominees will be appointed. This will deprive the victims of a genuine voice in the Board,” Clamor explained.

“We seriously hope that the Human Rights Victims Claims Board will be composed soonest. Martial Law victims cannot afford to be disenfranchised, much more neglected again. The law was a victory for the victims. We cannot allow our efforts to go down the drain.” Clamor stressed.

SELDA is the organization that initiated the class action suit against former dictator Marcos. ###

Reference:
Roneo “Jigs” S. Clamor, National Coordinator
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SELDA to Aquino govt: Whatever happened to the Board to process claims of martial law victims?

Two months into passage of the Reparation and Recognition Act
SELDA to Aquino govt: Whatever happened to the Board to process claims of martial law victims?

Rights group SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) questioned the Aquino government’s failure to form the Human Rights Victims Claims Board which will process the application for reparation and recognition of martial law victims.

“It has been two months since Pres. Aquino signed the bill into law. What is taking the government so long to take the initial step to implement the law? Are the martial law victims in for a very long wait again?” SELDA national coordinator Roneo Clamor asked.

RA 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 requires that a Human Rights Victims Claims Board be formed within 30 days so it can proceed to formulate the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) after which it can start with its evaluation and processing of the claims of the martial law victims under the Marcos dictatorship.

According to SELDA, it was bad enough that the guidelines for nominations to the Board was never communicated to them which, per provision of the law, is one of the human rights organizations which “may submit nominations” to the Claims Board.

Nevertheless, SELDA submitted five names on March 12: its national chairperson, a multi-awarded artist who was twice detained, a UP College of Medicine faculty member, a lawyer from Cebu and another from General Santos City. Tanggol Bayi nominated a former congresswoman and a former member of the UP Board of Regents. They are individuals “with integrity, competence and probity and who understand the plight of the martial law victims.”

“It has been more than a month and way past the deadline. The absence of information about the Claims Board raises questions as to Malacanang’s transparency in forming the Board and the possibility that for political reasons not even one of SELDA’s nominees will be appointed. This will deprive the victims of a genuine voice in the Board,” Clamor explained.

“We seriously hope that the Human Rights Victims Claims Board will be composed soonest. Martial Law victims cannot afford to be disenfranchised, much more neglected again. The law was a victory for the victims. We cannot allow our efforts to be put to waste. Without the Claims Board and the IRR, the law is lifeless,” Clamor stressed.

SELDA is the organization that initiated the class action suit against former dictator Marcos. ###

Group wants transparency on selection of HR claims board

Dennis Carcamo | Philippine Star

Rights group Karapatan on Thursday called on the Aquino administration for  transparent and credible process in the selection of the members of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board.

“The process should be acceptable to the victims,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

Palabay said they are  apprehensive because as vital information on the nomination process and schedules were not publicized.

“We hope that this is not a foreshadowing of the possible exclusion of the nominees of Selda and Tanggol Bayi from the Human Rights Claims Board,” Palabay added.

The group also echoed the call of the martial law victims that the Claims Board should be composed of people “with integrity, competence and probity and, who understand the plight of the victims.”

Under Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Violation Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, the Claims board is mandated to formulate the implementing rules and regulations of the measure and to process the claims of victims of human rights violations during martial law.