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Republic of the Philippines he CEIVED %

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NOV452

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT
MANDATING THE OBSERVANCE OF 23 NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR
AS NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY TO END IMPUNITY,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

November 23 is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists as
proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 in commemoration of the
assassination of two French journalists in Mali on that same day and year.

In the Philippines, November 23 is remembered as one of the grimmest incidents where 58
men and women were massacred in Ampatuan town of Maguindanao province in 2009. It is
also the worst attack on press freedom in Philippine history because 32 of the victims were
media practitioners. Marking it as a National Consciousness Day to end Impunity will remind
us that as long as high crimes remain unpunished, the fight against injustice in the country
should continue to broaden and persist.

The Philippines has been tagged this year by international media groups as one of the most
dangerous places for journalists being ranked poorly or is placed among the worst worldwide
for unsolved journalist murders. Key witnesses end up dead or forever fear for their lives like
the ones in the Maguindanao case who were murdered, with one of them even dismembered
and mutilated.

The Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre case is on its 4" year and there is still no positive
light for the prosecution of the Ampatuans. More than 100 suspects are already in police
custody while around 90 are still at large. Very recent reports say that some of the victims’
families have agreed to settle with members of the Ampatuan clan and to sign an affidavit
putting the blame for the massacre on Governor Toto Mangudadatu.

Impunity exists whenever perpetrators of a crime are not prosecuted or are not held
accountable because of their power or influence in society. Families of the victims of
extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations point to
state security forces but to no avail.



The term “impunity” has attained prominence and common usage during the last
administration. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s nine-year term suffered from
corruption issues, electoral fraud and worsening poverty of its citizens thus the discontent of
the populace over her leadership, and increasing calls for her ouster. As a response to this
growing dissent, the human rights situation under Arroyo turned to worse. Determined to stay
in power, the administration institutionalized a campaign to repress forces critical of the
administration through military and police force. A systematized human rights violation then
took place and the result: 1,206 victims of extrajudicial killings and 206 victims of enforced
disappearance perpetrated against activists and critics from among workers, peasants,
women, indigenous people, students, lawyers, church people, and media practitioners.

Under the Aquino administration, no commitments were fulfilled to hold accountable high
officials for the massive corruption and fraud under the previous administration, and also for
the gross human rights violations that will in turn serve justice to the people especially the
victims. Further, killings and enforced disappearance has already reached 137 cases of
extrajudicial killings and 14 enforced disappearances (July 2010 to December 2012). The
police continue to refuse or stall investigations, the military persists in making blanket denials
and arrest warrants against alleged perpetrators have not been executed. The climate of
impunity persists.

The killings have continued under the present administration.

Thus, there is a need to instill awareness and spur action on the part of the government and
for the people to stand up and fight for justice. The people’s clamor and demand for justice
should continue to compel the government and the authorities to take action and prosecute
those who are blanketed with impunity.

Thus, the approval of this bill is eamestly sought.

Approved,

iA PAN re

Bayan Muna Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5452

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE.

AN ACT
MANDATING THE OBSERVANCE OF 23 NOVEMBER OF EVERY YEAR
AS NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS DAY TO END IMPUNITY,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Consciousness Day to End Impunity
Act of 2017.”

Section 2. The State shall ensure that the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings and enforced
disappearances shall be punished so that justice shall be served to the victims and their
families.

The State shall intensify its efforts to curb impunity and bring it to an end. The State
recognizes that the participation of all sectors concerned shall ensure the success of the fight
against impunity. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to raise awareness of the people
regarding this issue.

Section 3. In memory of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre and as a symbol of the
people’s struggle against impunity, the 23 of November of every year is hereby declared as
National Consciousness Day to End Impunity.

Section 4. The implementation of this Act shall be under the Commission of Human Rights
(CHR), with the help of the Department of Education and the Department of Interior and
Local Government, which shall create programs directed towards educating the people about
human rights issues and the need to uphold these rights. In this regard, civil society
organizations shall be tapped to assist the CHR in this endeavor.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.


Approved,