VILLAR: SENATE PASSES BILL
INDEMNIFYING MARTIAL LAW VICTIMS

The Senate has passed on third and final reading the bill providing for a P10-billion compensation to some 10,000 victims of human rights violations during martial law, Senate President Manny Villar said. The Human Rights Compensation Act 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" was sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Sen. Francis Escudero.

"This is a long-overdue obligation of the government to the victims of human rights violations in pursuit of justice and redress, and the sustenance of their basic needs, especially of those in their twilight years," Villar said.

Under the bill, the victims may file their indemnity claims with the Human Rights Victims Compensation Board. It particularly directs the Commission on Human Rights and the Presidential Commission on Good Government to implement the measure. The P10-billion fund shall be placed in a separate trust account of the Bureau of Treasury.

Villar also said the Upper Chamber passed on third and final reading "An Act establishing a provident personal savings plan, known as the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA)" sponsored by Sen. Edgardo Angara.

The measure seeks to supplement the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System pension scheme by setting up a privately sponsored retirement fund.

PERA seeks to encourage voluntary long-term savings among citizens, strengthen the domestic capital market, and diminish dependence on the current inadequate retirement scheme.

The passage of the two measures brings to 11 the total number of bills passed by the Senate since the opening of the 14th Congress during the First Regular Session.

The Senate earlier passed: the bill providing more retirement benefits to judges and justices; the legal framework on the presentation of suspects under the custody of law enforcement agencies to the media; measure providing for good conduct time allowance to prisoners; the cheaper medicines bill; act providing for additional benefits and protection to househelpers; promoting entrepreneurship by strengthening development and assistance programs to micro, small and medium-scale enterprises; bill providing for stiffer penalties for cellular phone theft; promoting environmental awareness through environmental education; and measure expanding the promotion of breastfeeding.