By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Saturday said he is willing to push for legislation that will remedy the government's turning down of a settlement deal that would allow the distribution of compensation to martial law victims.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III
(SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / MANILA BULLETIN) Pimentel in a radio interview said the redress for martial law victims would be delayed by the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) disapproval of the agreement with the New York District Court on the distribution of their compensation. The senator, saying he has yet to fully read the OSG's position, said he will look into the matter for a possible "cure." "Aaralin ko muna issue, at kung kailangan ng panukalang batas ay gagawin ko to authorze 'yong distribution of the amount to the human rights victims ng Marcos martial law years," Pimentel told DWIZ Saturday afternoon. "Kung mako-cure, mereremedyohan ang sitwasyon...handa akong magfile para maremedyohan ang sitwasyon," he added. (I will study the issue, and I will file a proposed law if necessary to authorize the distribution of the amount to the human rights victims of the Marcos martial law years. If this will cure the situation, I am ready to file a bill that will remedy the situation.) Pimentel is a son to a martial law victim, former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr., who was incarcerated for expressing his views against the administration of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He recalled that the Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, was enacted to provide the P10-billion reparation for the victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos martial law. The distribution of the compensation by the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) is ongoing, Pimentel said. President Duterte, last February, signed a joint resolution from Congress extending the availability and release of funds for qualified claimants until the end of the year. The OSG earlier confirmed turning the settlement deal with martial law victims after it found "grossly disadvantageous" to the government. It involved a case at the New York District court regarding the $13.75-million proceeds from the sale of paintings of former first lady Imelda Marcos. While the Office of the Executive Secretary earlier gave its consent to enter into the agreement, the OSG, along with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Commission on Good Government "unanimously" agreed the government "no longer enter into the settlement agreement."
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III(SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / MANILA BULLETIN) Pimentel in a radio interview said the redress for martial law victims would be delayed by the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) disapproval of the agreement with the New York District Court on the distribution of their compensation. The senator, saying he has yet to fully read the OSG's position, said he will look into the matter for a possible "cure." "Aaralin ko muna issue, at kung kailangan ng panukalang batas ay gagawin ko to authorze 'yong distribution of the amount to the human rights victims ng Marcos martial law years," Pimentel told DWIZ Saturday afternoon. "Kung mako-cure, mereremedyohan ang sitwasyon...handa akong magfile para maremedyohan ang sitwasyon," he added. (I will study the issue, and I will file a proposed law if necessary to authorize the distribution of the amount to the human rights victims of the Marcos martial law years. If this will cure the situation, I am ready to file a bill that will remedy the situation.) Pimentel is a son to a martial law victim, former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr., who was incarcerated for expressing his views against the administration of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He recalled that the Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, was enacted to provide the P10-billion reparation for the victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos martial law. The distribution of the compensation by the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) is ongoing, Pimentel said. President Duterte, last February, signed a joint resolution from Congress extending the availability and release of funds for qualified claimants until the end of the year. The OSG earlier confirmed turning the settlement deal with martial law victims after it found "grossly disadvantageous" to the government. It involved a case at the New York District court regarding the $13.75-million proceeds from the sale of paintings of former first lady Imelda Marcos. While the Office of the Executive Secretary earlier gave its consent to enter into the agreement, the OSG, along with the Department of Justice and the Presidential Commission on Good Government "unanimously" agreed the government "no longer enter into the settlement agreement."