The operations of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) has ended on May 12, 2018 per R.A. 10368 as amended by R.A. 10766. After judicious deliberation, HRVCB determined 11,103 claimants that are eligible for monetary reparations and an additional 125 cases that were determined motu propio. Distribution of monetary reparation or compensation has been undertaken for these heroes and victims during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. They will also be eternally memorialized in the Memorial Commission, which will involve an archive, a museum, and a wall of remembrance. This is to immortalize them in the struggle against dictatorship.
We must draw lesson from the painful experience of dictatorship so we can guarantee that there will be no repetition of gross human rights violations and authoritarian abuses. The historic completion of this task is in recognition of the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
We thank Congress for passing R.A. 10368 that paved the way for this landmark accomplishment. Providing reparations to the victims and heroes is part of the moral and legal obligation of the State to restore the victims’ honor and dignity. While the term of HRVCB has ended, much work needs to be pursued. Out of the 75,000 claims for recognition and reparation, over 60,000 have been denied for different reasons based on criteria established by law. Hence, there might be questions that may arise. The answers to these questions can be addressed by Congress as the HRVCB was created by law.
HRVCB is an institution that is separate and distinct from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). HRVCB is mandated to receive, evaluate, process, and investigate reparation claims made by victims of human rights violations under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos during Martial Law period. CHR has no legal basis nor mandate to carry out the task of the HRVCB. Hence, it is imperative for the Legislative and/or Executive to provide recourse or the proper action to resolve all outstanding issues of transitional justice.
CHR remains committed in ensuring support for human rights victims in general. We will continue to monitor and ensure that other government offices deliver on the non-monetary reparations recommended by the HRVCB. We thank the HRVCB for undertaking the historic action for reparation of victims. Your service will be etched in history books as people who committed to work for transitional justice.
We will exercise our mandate with greater fervor to combat impunity and fight the repetition of human rights violations that stem from authoritarian rule. ■