February 25, 2013

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10368

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR REPARATION AND RECOGNITION OF VICTIMS OF

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE MARCOS REGIME,
DOCUMENTATION OF SAID VIOLATIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

CHAPTER I
Preliminary Provisions
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Human
Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — Section 11 of Article II of the
1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines declares that the State
values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for
human rights. Pursuant to this declared policy, Section 12 of Article III of the
Constitution prohibits the use of torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation,
or any other means which vitiate the free will and mandates the
compensation and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices and
their families.
By virtue of Section 2 of Article II of the Constitution adopting generally
accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land, the
Philippines adheres to international human rights laws and conventions, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT)
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which
imposes on each State party the obligation to enact domestic legislation to
give effect to the rights recognized therein and to ensure that any person
whose rights or freedoms have been violated shall have an effective remedy,
even if the violation is committed by persons acting in an official capacity. In
fact, the right to a remedy is itself guaranteed under existing human rights
treaties and/or customary international law, being peremptory in character
(jus cogens) and as such has been recognized as non-derogable. CDHacE

Consistent with the foregoing, it is hereby declared the policy of the

State to recognize 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 covering the period from September 21, 1972
to February 25, 1986 and restore the victims' honor and dignity. The State
hereby acknowledges its moral and legal obligation to recognize and/or
provide reparation to said victims and/or their families for the deaths, injuries,
sufferings, deprivations and damages they suffered under the Marcos regime.
Similarly, it is the obligation of the State to acknowledge the sufferings
and damages inflicted upon persons whose properties or businesses were
forcibly taken over, sequestered or used, or those whose professions were
damaged and/or impaired, or those whose freedom of movement was
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 restricted, and/or such other victims of the violations of the Bill of Rights.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — The following terms as used in
this Act shall mean:
(a) Detention refers to the act of taking a person into custody
against his will by persons acting in an official capacity and/or
agents of the State.
(b) Human rights violation refers to any act or omission
committed during the period from September 21, 1972 to
February 25, 1986 by persons acting in an official capacity
and/or agents of the State, but shall not be limited to the
following:
(1) Any search, arrest and/or detention without a valid
search warrant or warrant of arrest issued by a civilian
court of law, including any warrantless arrest or
detention carried out pursuant to the declaration of
Martial Law by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos as
well as any arrest, detention or deprivation of liberty
carried out during the covered period on the basis of an
"Arrest, Search and Seizure Order (ASSO)", a
"Presidential Commitment Order (PCO)" or a "Preventive
Detention Action (PDA)" and such other similar executive
issuances as defined by decrees of former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos, or in any manner that the arrest,
detention or deprivation of liberty was effected; cDTaSH

(2) The infliction by a person acting in an official capacity

and/or an agent of the State of physical injury, torture,
killing, or violation of other human rights, of any person
exercising civil or political rights, including but not
limited to the freedom of speech, assembly or
organization; and/or the right to petition the government
for redress of grievances, even if such violation took
place during or in the course of what the authorities at
the time deemed an illegal assembly or demonstration:
Provided, That torture in any form or under any
circumstance shall be considered a human rights
violation;
(3) Any enforced or involuntary disappearance caused upon
a person who was arrested, detained or abducted against
one's will or otherwise deprived of one's liberty, as
defined in Republic Act No. 10350, otherwise known as
the "Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of
2012";
(4) Any force or intimidation causing the involuntary exile
of a person from the Philippines;
(5) Any act of force, intimidation or deceit causing unjust
or illegal takeover of a business, confiscation of property,
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 detention of owner/s and or their families, deprivation of
livelihood of a person by agents of the State, including
those caused by Ferdinand E. Marcos, his spouse Imelda
R. Marcos, their immediate relatives by consanguinity or
affinity, as well as those persons considered as among
their close relatives, associates, cronies and subordinates
under Executive Order No. 1, issued on February 28,
1986 by then President Corazon C. Aquino in the
exercise of her legislative powers under the Freedom
Constitution;
(6) Any act or series of acts causing, committing and/or
conducting the following:
(i) Kidnapping or otherwise exploiting children of
persons suspected of committing acts against the
Marcos regime;IaEACT

(ii) Committing sexual offenses against human rights

victims who are detained and/or in the course of
conducting military and/or police operations; and
(iii) Other violations and/or abuses similar or
analogous to the above, including those recognized
by international law.
(c) Human Rights Violations Victim (HRVV) refers to a person
whose human rights were violated by persons acting in an
official capacity and/or agents of the State as defined herein.
In order to qualify for reparation under this Act, the human
rights violation must have been committed during the period
from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986: Provided,
however, That victims of human rights violations that were
committed one (1) month before September 21, 1972 and one
(1) month after February 25, 1986 shall be entitled to
reparation under this Act if they can establish that the
violation was committed:
(1) By agents of the State and/or persons acting in an
official capacity as defined hereunder;
(2) For the purpose of preserving, maintaining, supporting
or promoting the said regime; or
(3) To conceal abuses during the Marcos regime and/or the
effects of Martial Law.
(d) Persons Acting in an Official Capacity and/or Agents of the
State. — The following persons shall be deemed persons acting
in an official capacity and/or agents of the State under this
Act:
(1) Any member of the former Philippine Constabulary
(PC), the former Integrated National Police (INP), the
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 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Civilian
Home Defense Force (CHDF) from September 21, 1972
to February 25, 1986 as well as any civilian agent
attached thereto; and any member of a paramilitary
group even if one is not organically part of the PC, the
INP, the AFP or the CHDF so long as it is shown that the
group was organized, funded, supplied with equipment,
facilities and/or resources, and/or indoctrinated,
controlled and/or supervised by any person acting in an
official capacity and/or agent of the State as herein
defined; aTADcH

(2) Any member of the civil service, including persons who

held elective or appointive public office at any time from
September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986;
(3) Persons referred to in Section 2 (a) of Executive Order
No. 1, creating the Presidential Commission on Good
Government (PCGG), issued on February 28, 1986 and
related laws by then President Corazon C. Aquino in the
exercise of her legislative powers under the Freedom
Constitution, including former President Ferdinand E.
Marcos, spouse Imelda R. Marcos, their immediate
relatives by consanguinity or affinity, as well as their
close relatives, associates, cronies and subordinates; and
(4) Any person or group/s of persons acting with the
authorization, support or acquiescence of the State
during the Marcos regime.
(e) Torture refers to any act by which severe pain or suffering,
whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on any
person under the custody of persons acting in an official
capacity and/or agents of the State, as defined by law,
jurisprudence, international conventions and Republic Act No.
9745, otherwise known as the "Anti-Torture Act of 2009".
SECTION 4. Entitlement to Monetary Reparation. — Any HRVV
qualified under this Act shall receive reparation from the State, free of tax, as
herein prescribed: Provided, That for a deceased or involuntary disappeared
HRVV, the legal heirs as provided for in the Civil Code of the Philippines, or
such other person named by the executor or administrator of the deceased or
involuntary disappeared HRVV's estate in that order, shall be entitled to
receive such reparation: Provided, further, That no special power of attorney
shall be recognized in the actual disbursement of the award, and only the
victim or the aforestated successor(s)-in-interest shall be entitled to personally
receive said reparation from the Board, unless the victim involved is shown to
be incapacitated to the satisfaction of the Board: Provided, furthermore, That
the reparation received under this Act shall be without prejudice to the receipt
of any other sum by the HRVV from any other person or entity in any case
involving violations of human rights as defined in this Act.
SECTION 5. Nonmonetary Reparation. — The Department of Health
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 (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
and such other government agencies shall render the necessary services as
nonmonetary reparation for HRVVs and/or their families, as may be
determined by the Board pursuant to the provisions of this Act. The amount
necessary for this purpose shall be sourced from the budget of the agency
concerned in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). CSAaDE

SECTION 6. Amount of Reparation. — The amount of reparation

under this Act shall be in proportion to the gravity of the human rights
violation committed on the HRVV and in accordance with the number of points
assigned to the individual under Section 19 hereof.
SECTION 7. Source of Reparation. — The amount of Ten billion pesos
(P10,000,000,000.00) plus accrued interest which form part of the funds
transferred to the government of the Republic of the Philippines by virtue of
the December 10, 1997 Order of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, adjudged
by the Supreme Court of the Philippines as final and executory in Republic vs.
Sandiganbayan on July 15, 2003 (G.R. No. 152154) as Marcos ill-gotten
wealth and forfeited in favor of the Republic of the Philippines, shall be the
principal source of funds for the implementation of this Act.
CHAPTER II
The Human Rights Victims' Claims Board
SECTION 8. Creation and Composition of the Human Rights Victims'
Claims Board. — There is hereby created an independent and quasi-judicial
body to be known as the Human Rights Victims' Claims Board, hereinafter
referred to as the Board. It shall be composed of nine (9) members, who shall
possess the following qualifications:
(a) Must be of known probity, competence and integrity;
(b) Must have a deep and thorough understanding and
knowledge of human rights and involvement in efforts against
human rights violations committed during the regime of
former President Ferdinand E. Marcos;
(c) At least three (3) of them must be members of the Philippine
Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least
ten (10) years; and
(d) Must have a clear and adequate understanding and
commitment to human rights protection, promotion and
advocacy.
The Human Rights Victims' Claims Board shall be attached to but shall
not be under the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
The Board shall organize itself within thirty (30) days from the
completion of appointment of all nine (9) members and shall thereafter
organize its Secretariat.
SECTION 9. Appointment to the Board. — The President shall appoint
the Chairperson and the other eight (8) members of the Board: Provided, That
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 human rights organizations such as, but not limited to, the Task Force
Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG),
the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism
(MABINI), the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) and
the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA)
may submit nominations to the President. ETHaDC

SECTION 10. Powers and Functions of the Board. — The Board shall
have the following powers and functions:
(a) Receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for
claims under this Act;
(b) Issue subpoena/s ad testificandum and subpoena/s duces
tecum;
(c) Conduct independent administrative proceedings and resolve
disputes over claims;
(d) Approve with finality all eligible claims under this Act;
(e) Deputize appropriate government agencies to assist it in
order to effectively perform its functions;
(f) Promulgate such rules as may be necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Act, including rules of procedure in the
conduct of its proceedings, with the Revised Rules of Court of
the Philippines having suppletory application;
(g) Exercise administrative control and supervision over its
Secretariat;
(h) The Board, at its discretion, may consult the human rights
organizations mentioned in Section 9 herein; and
(i) Perform such other duties, functions and responsibilities as
may be necessary to effectively attain the objectives of this
Act.
SECTION 11. Resolution of Claims. — The Board shall be composed
of three (3) divisions which shall function simultaneously and independently
of each other in the resolution of claims for reparation. Each division shall be
composed of one (1) Chairperson, who shall be a member of the Philippine Bar
and two (2) members to be appointed by the Board en banc.
SECTION 12. Emoluments. — The Chairperson and members of the
Board shall have the rank, salary, emoluments and allowances equivalent to a
Presiding Justice and Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, respectively. cEAIHa

SECTION 13. Secretariat of the Board. — The Board shall be assisted

by a Secretariat which may come from the existing personnel of the CHR,
without prejudice to the hiring of additional personnel as determined by the
Board to accommodate the volume of required work. The following shall be
the functions of the Secretariat:
(a) Receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for
claims under this Act;
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 (b) Recommend to the Board the approval of applications for
claims;
(c) Assist the Board in technical functions; and
(d) Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Board.
The Chairperson of the Board shall appoint a Board Secretary who shall
head the Secretariat for the duration of the existence of the Board. There shall
be a Technical Staff Head assisted by five (5) Legal Officers and three (3)
Paralegal Officers; and an Administrative Staff Head assisted by three (3)
Administrative Support Staff.
When necessary, the Board may hire additional contractual employees
or contract a service provider to provide services of counselors, psychologists,
social workers and public education specialists, among others, to augment the
services of the Secretariat: Provided, That the maximum contract amount per
year shall not exceed more than fifteen percent (15%) of the total annual
operating budget of the Board.
SECTION 14. Operating Budget of the Board. — The operating budget
of the Board shall be funded from the Ten billion peso (P10,000,000,000.00)
fund, with Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) as its initial operating budget:
Provided, That it shall not exceed Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) a year.
SECTION 15. Proper Disposition of Funds. — The Board shall ensure
that funds appropriated or those which may become available as reparation
for HRVVs are properly disbursed in accordance with the policies stated by
Congress and relevant government rules, regulations and accounting
procedures. HScCEa

CHAPTER III
Claimants, Reparation and Recognition
SECTION 16. Claimants. — Any person who is an HRVV may file a
claim with the Board for reparation and/or recognition in accordance with the
provisions of this Act.
SECTION 17. Conclusive Presumption That One is an HRVV Under
This Act. — The claimants in the class suit and direct action plaintiffs in the
Human Rights Litigation Against the Estate of Ferdinand E. Marcos (MDL No.
840, CA No. 86-0390) in the US Federal District Court of Honolulu, Hawaii
wherein a favorable judgment has been rendered, shall be extended the
conclusive presumption that they are HRVVs: Provided, That the HRVVs
recognized by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation shall also be accorded
the same conclusive presumption: Provided, further, That nothing herein shall
be construed to deprive the Board of its original jurisdiction and its inherent
power to determine the extent of the human rights violations and the
corresponding reparation and/or recognition that may be granted.
SECTION 18. Motu Proprio Recognition. — The Board may take
judicial notice motu proprio of individual persons who suffered human rights
violations as defined herein and grant such persons recognition as HRVVs and
included in the Roll of Victims as provided for in Section 26 hereof.
SECTION 19. Determination of Award. — (a) The Board shall follow
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 the point system in the determination of the award. The range shall be one
(1) to ten (10) points, as follows:
(1) Victims who died or who disappeared and are still missing
shall be given ten (10) points;
(2) Victims who were tortured and/or raped or sexually abused
shall be given six (6) to nine (9) points;
(3) Victims who were detained shall be given three (3) to five (5)
points; and
(4) Victims whose rights were violated under Section 3,
paragraph (b), nos. (4), (5) and (6) under this Act shall be
given one (1) to two (2) points. AECacS

The Board shall exercise its powers with due discretion in the
determination of points for each victim, which shall be based on the type of
violation committed against the HRVV, frequency and duration of the
violation. In each category, HRVVs who had suffered more would receive more
points. In instances where a victim is classified in more than one category, one
shall be awarded the points in the higher category: Provided, That in cases
where there are several eligible claims filed for reparation by or on behalf of a
particular HRVV, the Board shall award only one (1) valid claim which
corresponds to the category obtaining the highest number of points for each
eligible claimant.
(b) The Board shall proceed to determine the award for each claimant
classified under Sections 16, 17 and 18 of this Act.
(c) The Board shall then compute the final monetary value of one's
award that is equivalent to the numerical value of one point multiplied by the
number of points that a claimant is entitled to, as previously determined by
the Board.
(d) Within thirty (30) days after the Board has approved with finality
each eligible claim pending before it and after due publication of such
legitimate claim, the award of monetary compensation shall take effect:
Provided, That any pending appeal filed by an aggrieved claimant or oppositor
before the Board en banc must be resolved by it sixty (60) days before the
Board becomes functus officio.
CHAPTER IV
General Provisions
SECTION 20. Transfer of Funds. — Pursuant to the judgment
mentioned in Section 7 hereof, the amount of Ten billion pesos
(P10,000,000,000.00) plus the accrued interest are hereby set aside and
appropriated to fund the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 21. Documentation of Human Rights Violations Committed
by the Marcos Regime. — In the implementation of this Act and without
prejudice to any other documentary or other evidence that may be required
for the award of any reparation, any HRVV seeking reparation shall execute a
detailed sworn statement narrating the circumstances of the pertinent human
rights violation/s committed. EaScHT

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 SECTION 22. Publication. — Consistent with Section 23 herein, the
Board, after having been duly convened, shall set the period for the
commencement and termination of applications by HRVVs and cause the
publication of the same: Provided, That such period shall only become
operative fifteen (15) days after its last publication, which shall be once a
week for three (3) consecutive weeks in at least two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.
SECTION 23. Period for Filing of Claims; Waiver. — An HRVV shall file
an application for reparation with the Board within six (6) months from the
effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act:
Provided, That failure to file an application within said period is deemed a
waiver of the right to file the same: Provided, further, That for HRVVs who are
deceased, incapacitated, or missing due to enforced disappearance, their legal
heir/s or representatives, shall be entitled to file an application for reparation
on their behalf.
Any opposition to the new application/s pursuant to Section 16 hereof
shall only be entertained if such is filed within fifteen (15) days from the date
of the last publication of the official list of eligible claimants as may be
determined by the Board. The Board shall cause the publication of the official
list of eligible claimants once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
SECTION 24. Appeal. — Any aggrieved claimant or oppositor may file
an appeal within ten (10) calendar days from the receipt of the Resolution of
the Division, to the Board en banc, whose decision shall then become final and
executory.
SECTION 25. Penalties; Applicability of the Revised Penal Code. —
Any claimant who is found by the Board, after due hearing, to have filed a
fraudulent claim, shall be referred to the appropriate office for prosecution. If
convicted, he shall suffer the imprisonment of eight (8) to ten (10) years, shall
be disqualified from public office and employment and shall be deprived of the
right to vote and be voted for in any national or local election, even after the
service of sentence unless granted absolute pardon. caIDSH

Any member of the Board and its Secretariat, public officer, employee of
an agency or any private individual mandated to implement this Act, who
shall misuse, embezzle or misappropriate the funds for the reparation of
HRVVs or who shall commit fraud in the processing of documents and claims
of HRVVs, or shall conspire with any individual to commit the same, shall also
be prosecuted.
Any member of the Board and its Secretariat, public officer, employee of
an agency or any private individual mandated to implement this Act, who
may have been found guilty of committing any or all of the prohibited acts
stated in the preceding paragraph, or those acts punishable under the Revised
Penal Code, shall be penalized under the pertinent provisions in the Code and
relevant special penal laws.
SECTION 26. Roll of Victims. — Persons who are HRVVs, regardless
of whether they opt to seek reparation or not, shall be given recognition by
enshrining their names in a Roll of Human Rights Victims to be prepared by
the Board.
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 A Memorial/Museum/Library shall be established in honor and in
memory of the victims of human rights violations whose names shall be
inscribed in the Roll. A compendium of their sacrifices shall be prepared and
may be readily viewed and accessed in the internet. The
Memorial/Museum/Library/Compendium shall have an appropriation of at
least Five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000.00) from the accrued interest
of the Ten billion peso (P10,000,000,000.00) fund.
The Roll may also be displayed in government agencies as may be
designated by the HRVV Memorial Commission as created hereunder.
SECTION 27. Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial
Commission. — There is hereby created a Commission to be known as the
Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission, hereinafter referred
to as the Commission, primarily for the establishment, restoration,
preservation and conservation of the Memorial/Museum/Library/Compendium
in honor of the HRVVs during the Marcos regime. DHITCc

The powers and functions of the Commission shall be assumed by the

Board of Trustees which shall be composed of the following: Chairperson of
the CHR as Chairperson; Chairperson of the National Historical Commission as
Co-Chairperson; and Chairpersons of the CHED, the National Commission on
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Secretary of the Department of Education
and the Head of the University of the Philippines-Diliman Main Library, as
members.
The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to hire and appoint its
officials and employees, receive donations and grants for and on its behalf,
and generate revenues for the benefit of the Commission.
The Commission shall be attached to the CHR solely for budgetary and
administrative purposes. The operating budget of the Commission shall be
appropriated from the General Appropriations Act.
The Commission shall also coordinate and collaborate with the DepEd
and the CHED to ensure that the teaching of Martial Law atrocities, the lives
and sacrifices of HRVVs in our history are included in the basic, secondary and
tertiary education curricula.
CHAPTER V
Final Provisions
SECTION 28. Guidelines for the Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR). — In implementing this Act and in formulating the corresponding rules
and regulations, and to ensure that all applications are properly screened for
fraudulent claims, the Board must provide for:
(a) Transparency in the processing of the claims;
(b) A procedure that allows any concerned party to oppose an
application or claim on the ground that it is fraudulent,
fictitious or spurious and gives that party the opportunity to
question the same and to present evidence in support thereof;
and
(c) A procedure that is speedy and expeditious without sacrificing
any of the parties' fundamental rights. AacCIT

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 Within fifteen (15) days from the date of its organization, the Board
shall promulgate the necessary IRR and procedures for the effective
implementation of this Act. The IRR shall be effective fifteen (15) days after
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
SECTION 29. Work Period; Sunset Clause. — The Board shall
complete its work within two (2) years from the effectivity of the IRR
promulgated by it. After such period, it shall become functus officio.
SECTION 30. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such other sections
or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 31. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions
of this Act, including Section 63 (b) of Republic Act No. 6657, as amended,
otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 and
Section 40 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.
SECTION 32. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: February 25, 2013.

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