Press Release
September 25, 2014

SEN. GUINGONA EYES EXTENSION ON FILING OF CLAIMS UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS COMPENSATION LAW

Senator Teofisto "TG" Guingona III is urging the senate to give a two-year extension for human rights victims during martial law to file their claims for reparation and recognition.

Sen. Guingona filed Senate Bill No. 2418, otherwise known as "An Act Extending The Deadline To File Claims Under The Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 Or Republic Act No. 10368."

Sen. Guingona said the November 10, 2014 deadline for the filing of claims is fast approaching but the entire operations of the Human Rights Victims' Claims Board (HRVCB) will take more time than originally anticipated.

As of September 2014, the HRVCB has received over 17,000 claims under the said law. Many of these claims have already been processed and awards have been granted to deserving applicants.

"Unfortunately, many more are still coming to file claims. In spite of the best efforts of the Board in reaching out to communities and persons all over the country and even to Filipinos living abroad, much more work has to be done if we are to give ?some? measure of justice to all deserving claimants," Sen. Guingona said.

Sen. Guingona stressed that the two-year extension for the filing of claims will give the victims more time to prepare and complete their claims and for the HRVCB to complete its work.

Under RA 10368, it declared as the policy of the State to "recognize the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committeed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos covering the period from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and restore the victims' honor and dignity."

The law acknowledges the State's moral and legal obligation to recognize and provide reparation to these victims and their families for the deaths, injuries, sufferings, deprivations and damages they suffered under the Marcos regime.

The law also acknowledges the suffering and damages inflicted upon persons whose properties or businesses were forcibly taken over, sequestered or used, or those whose profession?s were damaged ?or impaired, or those whose freedom of movement was restricted.

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