Press Release
December 9, 2009

On Human Rights Day
Villar Calls for Justice, Indemnity for Human Rights Violation Victims

Nacionalista President Senator Manny Villar reiterated his stand of condemning any form of human rights violation past, present, and future. He joins the cause of human rights advocates and activists nationwide who are tirelessly fighting for their rights and principles.

Villar vows to work with various human rights groups to help them, once and for all, attain what they are clamoring for and what rightfully belong to them--justice and indemnification.

"We have to learn from the past in order to go on with the future. We have to give justice and indemnity to the victims of human rights violation during the Martial Law years up to the present. We will work for recovery of all ill-gotten wealth in accordance with the rule of law," said Villar on the commemoration of Human Rights Day

Upholding of Filipinos' human rights is among the key priorities of the Villar-led Nacionalista Party. Yesterday, NP announced that it is severing its ties with the Marcos-led Kilusan Bagong Lipunan (KBL). Rep. Bongbong Marcos Jr., however, remains as an official senatorial candidate of NP.

Villar slams continued attempts in curtailing human rights and freedom in various parts of the country. In particular, he cited as an example Maguindanao, where people continue to live in fear. He considers the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao as "unnecessary" and calls for the dismantling of private armies to quell lawlessness.

"We support all efforts for the swift delivery of justice for the murdered victims of Maguindanao massacre. We need a justice that is without fear and favor. Aside from bringing the perpetrators behind bars, the government must dismantle private armies with dispatch and that can be done without declaring Martial Law," he said in an earlier statement.

"In today's civilized world and in a democratic country such as the Philippines, there should be no room for violation and abuse of human rights. Nobody, particularly those in power, has any right to trample on the innate rights of people as human beings," said Villar.

News Latest News Feed