Palace: Partial compensation for 4T martial law victims approved

MANILA – The Claims Board for Martial Law human rights victims has approved the release of partial compensation for 4,000 eligible claimants, according to the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

The monetary reparation will be determined through a point system, spokesperson Ernesto Abella said on Tuesday.

“The Claims Board came up with a total of 23,567 points to be awarded to the first batch of claimants, with one point equivalent to P25,000 rounded up. Thus, the total reparation value amounted to P589-million,” Abella explained.

Half of the amount, the official said, “will be released to first batch of claimants by the second quarter of 2017 through Landbank’s Cash Cards facility, and the balance to be released after the final resolution of all claims and the publication of the final list,”

The Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) said they have already requested for the release of P300-million from the Bureau of Treasury intended for the partial payment of monetary reparations.

There were a total of 75,000 claimants affected by the regime of the late dictator Ferdinand Marco, the Board said.

They have already adjudicated 30,027 claims, while 45,073 are still to be resolved.

The HRVCB, created under Republic Act No. 10368, has until May 12, 2018 to provide reparation for the human rights victims during the martial law./