Form rights victims board, Aquino urged

former Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman: Appoint members of the claims board now RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), lawmakers and human rights victims have urged President Aquino to immediately form the nine-member Human Rights Victims Claims Board tasked to compensate the victims of martial law.

The call was made during a joint press conference at the CHR office on Sept. 21, held to commemorate the declaration of martial law 41 years ago.

At the press conference, former Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said there should be no delay in the reconstitution of the board considering that seven months had passed since Republic Act No. 10368, or the Compensation Act of 2013, was signed into law.

Lagman described the law as a “superior law” compared to those of other countries that also faced human rights violations.

He expressed the fear that RA 10368 “may degenerate into a dead law” if not implemented soon.

“If the President fails to appoint the members of the claims board, the law will not be implemented. It will not move if the board is not constituted. Its efficacy is in limbo,” Lagman said.

CHR chair Loretta Ann Rosales said the Compensation Law will correct the assumption that martial law victims were enemies of the state, when they were actually killed, tortured and abused in their fight for freedom and democracy.—Cynthia D. Balana