Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 22) — Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said the construction of a Martial Law museum is still a go.
“Kung ma-bid namin within the next few months, tuluy-tuloy na ‘yon eh. Andyan ang pondo,” Palpal-latoc told reporters on Tuesday.
[Translation: If we are able to open a bid within the next few months, it can proceed. The funds are there.]
Palpal-latoc also heads the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC), which is tasked to build a museum that would immortalize atrocities during the dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The contract for the construction of the Freedom Memorial Museum had been previously awarded. However, Palpal-latoc said problems were encountered during the COVID-19 health crisis.
“Nagkaroon ng changes sa pricing and kung anu-anong problema, na-cancel ‘yung contract. Then ngayon magbi-bid uli kami,” he said.
[Translation: There were changes in pricing and other problems, the contract was canceled. Now, we are bidding again.]
The CHR chairman also said Malacañang has made no effort to stop the construction of the museum which will be built inside the University of the Philippines campus.
Republic Act (RA) 10368 creates the HRVVMC primarily for the establishment of a memorial museum, library, and/or compendium in honor of human rights victims during martial law.
The law provides for an appropriation of at least ₱500 million for the project which will come from the ₱10 billion Marcos ill-gotten wealth seized in favor of the Philippine government through decisions of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
The father and namesake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ruled the Philippines for over 20 years. He declared martial law in September 1972, marking the beginning of nearly 14 years of one-man rule until a peaceful revolt ousted him from power in February 1986.
