World | Philippines
Bill seeks to raise compensation for victims of assault
A proposal that seeks to increase compensation for victims of unjust imprisonment and violent crimes has been presented to the House of Representatives.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 22:58 May 9, 2009
Manila A proposal that seeks to increase compensation for victims of unjust imprisonment and violent crimes has been presented to the House of Representatives.
House Bill 6071, authored by Representative Giorgidi "Gigi" Aggabao of the 4th Congressional District of the province of Isabela, proposes that a person who is proven to have been imprisoned illegally will get a maximum recoverable amount of P100,000 ($2,083, Dh7,650.86) and P10,000 ($208) for every month he has been incarcerated.
Presently, the law stipulates that a person may get only a P10,000 recoverable amount and P1,000 ($20) for every month of incarceration.
Aggabao said the original amount of compensation for victim of unjust imprisonment, P10,000 "has depreciated so badly that its present value is probably a tenth of its worth in 1992, when the law was enacted."
"The amount awarded to victims under the current law is now paltry and inconsequential," he said.
"To make the spirit and intent of the law alive, it is imperative that the rates and ceiling of compensation be adjusted to a more contemporary level," he added.
In setting a higher amount for compensation, the proposal seeks to amend Republic Act No 7309 or "An Act Creating a Board of Claims Under the Department of Justice for Victims of Unjust Imprisonment or Detention and Victims of Violent Crimes and for Other Purposes" which took effect on March 30, 1992.
According to Aggabao, the landmark legislation will be a great step for restorative justice in the country. The bill also intends that the Board of Claims be constituted under the law and transferred from the Department of Justice to the Commission of Human Rights (CHR).
"Since the victim's most basic human rights - liberty - has been trampled on, the CHR is the only entity that has jurisdiction over them," Aggabao said.
In the Philippines, it is not uncommon for suspects, especially the poor backgrounds, to suffer unjust imprisonment. Most of the accused can hardly afford the cost of hiring lawyers.
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