Akbayan Party lauded President Aquino’s declaration that the administration will not accord a state burial for the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, saying that this is a positive step toward the issuance of justice and rectification of Marcos’ atrocities during the Martial Law.
“There is no honor in perpetuating an abusive regime by silencing political dissent through torture and other human rights abuses. We are glad that the President is one with the Filipino people in recognizing that Marcos, the enemy of Philippine democracy, does not deserve any honor,” Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said.
According to Bello, the President’s strong declaration will also propel pending legislation on the compensation of Marcos-era human rights victims to its positive conclusion.
“Matagal nang patay si Marcos, pero hindi pa rin lumilipas ang bangungot ng Batas Militar. Habang komportableng nakaupo sa matataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan ang pamilya ng dating diktador, hanggang ngayon, naghihintay pa rin ng hustisya ang karamihan sa mga biktima ni Marcos at ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Bello added. “The debate is resolved, Marcos is no hero. It is high time for government to pave the way for justice to be issued.”
Akbayan championed the legislation for the compensation of victims of abuse during Martial Law, which is now awaiting the schedule for debate in plenary. The main thrust of the bill is to finally dispense justice and issue compensation to Marcos’ victims of human rights abuses or the family that survives them.
“In order to end the culture of impunity that allows human rights abuses to persist, we need to make perpetrators accountable and ensure that due compensation and justice is accorded victims. We will take the President’s lead, Akbayan will see to it that Congress follows through on the commitment to the Filipino people that finally, especially for Marcos’ victims, justice will be served,” Bello concluded.
In commemoration of the proclamation of Martial Law, Akbayan also filed House Resolution 1756 declaring Ferdinand Marcos an enemy of democracy. #
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