Sectarianism and the RH Law

What should be an interesting session tomorrow  is Atty. Alfredo Tadiar’s presentation on the relationship between sectarianism and  the Reproductive Health Law. The public is invited to attend the lecture, whose core theme is “Union-Disunion-Union”  to be held at the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG),  UP Diliman campus from 2 to 5 p.m.

The eminent lawyer’s lecture will trace  how pagan inhabitants of the archipelago were “united” by sectarianism through conversion to the Roman Catholic faith; how clerical abuses leading to the executions of Gomburza and Jose Rizal further “united” the people and led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896; how sectarianism through opposition to the RH Law at the national, provincial, city and barangay levels is “disuniting” the Filipino people, and finally, how the call of Pope Frances I and Archbishop Soc Villegas that those who disagree with the church on the RH law are still children of God and members of the flock, will hopefully “unite” the people to become a true nation.

*      *      *

Vice President Jejomar Binay told participants in a seminar/workshop on human trafficking that the fight against human trafficking must begin with strengthening the Filipino family, which he dubbed as the “frontline defense mechanism against human trafficking.”

“For the needs of the family are what drive the victims into the arms of human traffickers,” Binay, chairman emeritus of the Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said at the workshop organized by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).  

Binay deplored the fact that due to financial difficulties, some families abet the trafficking of its own members. Poverty has compelled families to perform sexual acts on the internet for pedophiles all over the world.

Binay challenged the parishes and parish priests “to provide a bridge for the family between its spiritual and material needs, and to strengthen its resolve to deter its members from taking that perilous leap for material gain at all costs, even at the expense of the member’s human rights, his or her honor and dignity,” he added.

Citing the connection between poverty and human trafficking, he proposed that the country promote agricultural investments in rural areas, and job opportunities to include community-based livelihood choices, like agriculture processing, and trading.

He also touched on coverage of health, education, transportation and other services at the local level to ease the burden of the underprivileged.  

On the importance of education as a motor for advancement, he said the K to 12 basic education and the changes it has brought about “provides opportunities (for young people) to pursue new education outcomes” that are aligned with the requirements of the Philippine job market.

*      *      *

Compensation for victims of abuses under the Marcos martial law regime cannot erase the suffering and pain of victims, and relatives of slain victims. Memories of tortures and imprisonment are still fresh in the minds and hearts of those whose plight was one of the reasons for EDSA  1. 

But compensation must be given, say the Philippine government and human rights advocates, thus the signing  into law (RA 01368) in 2013 by President Benigno Aquino  which created the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board that is charged with the processing and reparations for all victims of martial law.     

According to the Board, “The real lessons and true meaning of the 1986 People Power Revolution will remain incomplete for as long as justice remains elusive for the thousands of human rights victims. The victims’ struggles inspired the Filipino people to topple the dictatorship 28 years ago.

“We affirm our commitment  to human rights, truth,  justice, healing and reconciliation. We owe it to those who shed their blood, sweat and tears in the struggle against the dictatorship. We will reach out to all victims of abuses during martial law, beyond those who are already recognized by the US Federal District Court of Honolulu and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.”

To fulfill the Board’s responsibility, it will need information from the victims and their families, civil society organizations and government agencies including the security sector so that it can document human rights violations, recognize the victims and perpetrators and provide reparations to the victims, survivors and their families.

The Board  will seek  the records of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the now defunct Philippine Constabulary/Integrated National Police, paramilitary units and other security forces which were instrumental in the massive and systematic violations of human rights during the authoritarian rule.

The Board, which promises completion of its task in two years, is currently drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 10368.

The Human Rights Victims Claims Board is chaired by Lina Castillo Sarmiento, who has  a long experience in forensic investigations, police community relations and implemented reforms as head of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office

Members are Wilfred Asis, Galuasch Ballaho, Byron Bocar, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Glenda Litong, Jacqueline Veloria Mejia, Aurora Corazon Alvareda Parong and Erlinda Nable Senturias.

Jose Luis Martin Gascon was a Constitutional Commission  delegate which framed the 1987 Philippine Constitution which integrates human rights and social justice, taking off from lessons during martial law.

Three have worked with the Commission on Human Rights.  Jacqueline Veloria Mejia worked as executive director of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for 27 years and takes with her extensive managerial experience.

 Byron Bocar, a lawyer who was forced to seek refuge in the Netherlands, worked at the CHR and in Congress.

Galuasch Ballaho, a Muslim lawyer from Mindanao, worked with the newly established Regional Commission on Human Rights in the ARMM.

Aurora Corazon Alvareda Parong and Erlinda Nable Senturias are medical doctors who visited jails and evacuation centers and rendered services to victims of torture, families of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and internal displacement during martial law. Both worked with the Medical Action Group and have a track record of three decades of work on health and human rights

Senturias worked with the Philippine Ecumenical Peace Platform while Parong worked with Amnesty International. Senturias worked on the  medical mission staff of the World Council of Churches in Geneva. She also served as president of the Southern Christian University in Midsayap, Cotabato.

She is the prime mover behind a forum on experiences of  HIV-infected church pastors and laymen.

Six of the board members are lawyers  â€” Wilfred Asis, Glenda Litong, Gascon, Mejia and Bocar. Litong helped in the gathering of evidence for the class suit filed by martial law victims at the Hawaii court and has worked with the Women’s Legal Human Rights Bureau and the UP Institute of Human Rights. Wilfred Asis, a lawyer from Mindanao, has been a member of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the Nationalist Alliance for Justice Freedom and Democracy.

 According to Dr. Senturias, inquiries can be made through email, [email protected] until the board has found  an office, to be firmed up this week. Claims can be filed after the IRR are accomplished by the end of March. The IRR will then be published in two newspapers of general circulation by April. Claims then could be filed after the publication within six months. The board is committed to work  within the requirements of the law.

Senturias said, the board “is going beyond those cases recognized by the Hawaii Federal Court and Bantayog and include those delisted by the Hawaii court and those who  have not claimed anything at all. The board would be issuing subpoenas to individuals and families including security sectors and government agencies to determine the extent of human rights violations.”

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]