New claims board chair slammed

MANILA - Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Lina Castillo Sarmiento retired earlier this year, but she is back at work again as the chair of the human rights victims claims board. Sarmiento was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III last week to head the group which is mandated to administer, process and distribute the P10 billion in compensation for victims of human rights abuse during the martial law. Her appointment, however, has been met by criticism. Samahan ng Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SEDA), an organization of former political prisoners, said the group is insulted by Sarmiento's appointment. SELDA claims Sarmiento is not qualified for the position, and that her appointment is an example of the Aquino administration's lack of support for victims of human rights abuse. The group plans to hold a protest on February 21st. Sarmiento, for her part, said she would rather work than respond to her critics, especially since the board has only two weeks to draft the rules for the distribution of the compensation. Commission on Human Rights chair Etta Rosales defended Sarmiento, saying groups must respect the president's choice. Malacañang, meanwhile, is asking the public to give Sarmiento a chance. The board was created under the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act, which President Aquino signed into law during the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution. It took almost a year before Aquino was able to appoint members of the board. Sarmiento will serve as chairperson of the board. Appointed as members are: Wilfred Asis, Galuasch Ballaho, Byron Bocar, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Glenda Litong, Jacqueline Veloria Mejia, Aurora Corazon Parong, and Erlinda Senturias. - ANC Headstart, 18 February 2014