Former Bayan Muna Congressman Neri Colmenares, a principal author of the Marcos Human Rights Victims Compensation Law, expressed his strong support for the call of Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, for the enactment of a law that would provide compensation to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are acquitted after unjust detention.

Colmenares emphasized that unjust detention is a grave violation of human rights and the government has a moral and legal obligation to compensate those who have suffered under such conditions. He underscored that this call reflects the principles of justice and accountability enshrined in the Constitution and international human rights standards.

“The call of Cardinal David and Bishop Alminaza for a compensation law is both timely and necessary. Hindi dapat basta lamang palayain ang mga inosenteng nakakulong nang walang hustisya—dapat din silang bigyan ng sapat na kompensasyon para sa kanilang nawalang panahon, oportunidad, at dignidad. This is the least the government can do for those who have been robbed of their freedom and subjected to inhumane conditions inside our prisons,” Colmenares stated.

Citing the overcrowded and substandard conditions of Philippine detention facilities, Colmenares called on lawmakers to prioritize the measure. He pointed out that many PDLs, especially political prisoners, endure years of unjust detention due to fabricated charges, delayed court hearings, and the weaponization of the legal system against activists and dissenters.

"Our prisons are overcrowded, underfunded, and inhumane. Maraming nakakulong ang hindi dapat naroon sa simula pa lang—mga magsasaka, manggagawa, kabataan, at aktibista na pinaratangan ng gawa-gawang kaso. For those who are acquitted, freedom alone is not enough. Justice requires that the state makes amends by compensating them and helping them rebuild their lives," he added.

Colmenares highlighted the lessons learned from Republic Act No. 10368, also known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which he co-authored. The law provided financial reparations to victims of human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship.

"The Marcos Human Rights Victims Compensation Law showed us that recognizing injustice and providing reparations are critical steps to healing and accountability. This principle must extend to all those who are wrongfully detained and later acquitted. Tulad ng mga biktima ng Martial Law, ang mga inosenteng PDLs ay biktima rin ng inhustisya na kailangang itama," Colmenares said.

Colmenares echoed Cardinal David’s proposal for compensation equivalent to the minimum wage, or around P20,000 per month, as a starting point. He also supported Bishop Alminaza’s call for compassion in addressing the plight of political prisoners and other PDLs who have been unjustly detained.

“I stand with Cardinal David and Bishop Alminaza in calling for a just and compassionate law that compensates acquitted persons deprived of liberty. This is not only a matter of human rights but also of human dignity. Ang pagkakulong nang walang sala ay hindi lang isang legal na usapin kundi isang pagyurak sa pagkatao ng tao,” Colmenares said.

Colmenares urged Congress to immediately work on such a law, noting that the current compensation provided under Republic Act No. 7309, which limits awards to P1,000 per month of detention, is grossly inadequate.

“Ang kasalukuyang batas ay hindi sapat upang tugunan ang pinsalang idinudulot ng maling pagkakakulong. A compensation law that provides fair and meaningful reparations is long overdue. Congress must act with urgency,” he concluded.