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US judge approves transfer of reparation to martial law victims

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L4WOBnlNwzM?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - A federal judge in New York City on Tuesday approved the transfer of settlement proceeds to human rights victims of the late President Ferdinand Marcos&#x27; martial law regime. New York district court Judge Katherine Polk Failla signed an order directing the transfer of $13.75 million (about P715 million) proceeds from ill-gotten assets of the Marcos family, lawyers of the martial law victims said.&quot;The Republic&#x27;s OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) sought to kill the settlement and prevent a distribution to human rights victims. However, Judge Failla found that the Republic&#x27;s New York attorney had actual and apparent authority to bind the Republic to the settlement,&quot; read part of the statement from the class counsel.Lead counsel Robert Swift said each victim would receive $1,500 (about P78,000) share from the proceeds that Judge Manuel Real approved for distribution last March 28.He earlier said the proceeds came from the sale of 4 paintings - 1 by Claude Monet, leader of the French impressionist movement, and 3 others sold in auction last November for over $3 million.The Philippine government, which refused to implement the Hawaii court’s verdict awarding the victims with a $2-billion indemnification package charged against the Marcos estate, would get about $4 million.All the 4 paintings are believed to have been part of some 200 art collections Imelda Marcos accumulated over her husband’s 20-year regime. The court and Swift are still trying to locate the rest of the paintings.Philippine co-counsel Rod Domingo said most victims are poor and in need of financial assistance.&quot;Many of the victims of human rights abuses are dead, so the money will provide needed assistance to their families,&quot; he said.Distribution of reparation will begin in May in Butuan until July in 15 other cities.Claimants must bring the letter sent by the lawyers&#x27; team and 2 valid IDs bearing their pictures. In case the victims have passed away, their next of kin may be able to receive the check.This would be the third round of compensation from the US court for the victims, after they were awarded $1,000 and $1,100 in previous wins.<div>&#x27;GROSSLY DISADVANTAGEOUS&#x27;</div>Meanwhile, the OSG defended its move to drop the settlement, saying it is &quot;grossly disadvantageous to the government and not in accord with existing Philippine laws and jurisprudence.&quot;The OSG said splitting the proceeds is lopsided in favor of a group of human rights victims filed by petitioner Jose Duran, which is represented by Swift.&quot;Of the approximately $20 million set to be divided among the party claimants, the Duran class is to collect $13.75 million, an almost 70% share, while the Republic is to receive only $4 million or 20% of the subject properties,&quot; it said in a statement.The OSG also said the proposed settlement requires the Philippine government to grant immunity to Vilma Bautista, Imelda&#x27;s former secretary who was arrested by New York authorities for illegally selling the prized art pieces.It also slammed Swift for hampering its efforts in recovering the ill-gotten wealth in foreign jurisdictions, such as in Switzerland and Singapore.&quot;It appears that Swift’s determination to enforce the award wherever and whenever he deems possible is driven, not by the purely noble aim to seek justice and retribution for human rights victims, but by the hefty attorney’s fees he stands to receive,&quot; OSG said.It said lawyers who litigated the Hawaii class suit, including Swift, has sought $4.125 million in attorney&#x27;s fees to be deducted from the settlement fund.<div>($1 = P52)</div>

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - A federal judge in New York City on Tuesday approved the transfer of settlement proceeds to human rights victims of the late President Ferdinand Marcos' martial law regime.

MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - A federal judge in New York City on Tuesday approved the transfer of settlement proceeds to human rights victims of the late President Ferdinand Marcos' martial law regime.