Martial Law Victims laud Indemnification Bill passage on third reading in Congress, continue to urge Senate to enact Bill now

By SELDA
March 21, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  The Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto or SELDA welcomed today the passing of House Bill 5990 or "An Act Providing Compensation to Victims of Human Rights Violations During the Marcos Regime, Documentation of Said Violations, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes" on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

“We are now up to another step for the enactment of the bill into law, with the passing of HB No. 5990 in Congress,” said Trining Herrera, a former political prisoner during the Dictatorship and Board Member of SELDA. “Our lobby efforts at the House, is seeing its fruition today,” she said.

However, the group said their work is still undone. “Unfortunately, the Senate has yet to act on their version of the bill and we still have a long way to go, to lobby, remind, and push our Senators to respond in the same manner Congress has done.”Herrera stated.

If enacted into law, the bill will allow the indemnification of 9,539 victims of martial who filed the historic class suit in Hawaii against the Dictator, Ferdinand Marcos; as well as other vicitms of martial law who are not members of the said Hawaii class suit.

“We strongly urge the Senate Committee on Human Rights through its Chair, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to expedite the passage of the Senate version of the bill that contains amendments taking into consideration the proposals of victims, to finally be passed,” Herrera stressed. “Victims of Martial Law have waited long enough, we demand a more positive action from President Noynoy Aquino’s administration.”

If the Senate passes the bill on third reading, representatives of both Houses of the Legislature will meet to harmonize the provisions of the bill that will finally be implemented as the Law.