Malacañang on Saturday said there is no definite date yet for the signing of the newly ratified bill that will provide compensation to human rights violations victims during Martial Law. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that as of Saturday morning, the Palace has yet to receive the transmittal of the bill from Congress. “Wala pa… [itse-]check namin, hindi pa namin na-receive ang transmittal,” she said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if the bill would be signed into law on Feb. 25. Feb. 25, 2013 is the 27th anniversary of the EDSA-1 People Power revolution, which ousted Marcos and installed President Benigno Aquino III’s late mother Corazon to the presidency in 1986. Some reports had said President Aquino might sign the bill into law on that date. Valte also said the Palace is still waiting for another measure, the bill for the K-to-12 basic education program, to be transmitted after its ratification. Earlier this week, both houses of Congress ratified the human rights violation victims’ compensation bill, a landmark measure that will finance claims by victims of Martial Law. Under the measure, a P10-billion fund plus interest is to be appropriated to the claimants. The fund will be sourced mainly from funds transferred to the government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court and held in escrow. On the other hand, both houses of Congress also ratified the K-to-12 Basic Education Reform program. — LBG, GMA News
