PNoy appoints PNP’s first female 2-star general as claims board chair

(Updated 5:11 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Lina Castillo-Sarmiento, the Philippine National Police's (PNP) first female two-star general, to head the body tasked to process claims by human rights victims during the Martial Law regime.

During a press briefing on Thursday in Malacañang, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino appointed retired PNP Chief Superintendent Lina Castillo-Sarmiento as the chair of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB).

Sarmiento, who headed the PNP’s Directorate for Police Community Relations, retired last January before she even reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 in September this year.

Coloma, however, said he does not have information whether her appointment to the board was the reason for her early retirement.

But he said there was a vetting process and that Aquino appointed reliable and qualified officials.

"Ang mga hinirang naman po dito ay batay sa kanilang mga kuwalipikasyon at competence; at inaasahan po natin na gagampanan nila ang kanilang tungkulin sa pinakamainam na paraan," he said.

Aside from Sarmiento, appointed as members of the board were Wilfred Asis, Galuasch Ballaho, Byron Bocar, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Glenda Litong, Jacqueline Veloria Mejia, Aurora Corazon Parong, and Erlinda Senturias.

"President Aquino has signed the appointments of the chairperson and members of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board. The board was created pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act no. 10368 for the Human Rights Victims’ Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013," said Coloma.

In February last year, Aquino signed Republic Act 10368, which seeks to distribute P10 billion in funds from the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses to Martial Law human rights victims.

The law also requires the President to form the HRCB to receive, evaluate, process and investigate applications for claims.

Aside from this, Coloma said they also expect the board to conduct independent administrative proceedings and resolve claim disputes.

Asked why the President took too long to form the board, the Palace official just said that the newly appointed officials recognize the "urgency" of the matter.

"I think it is implied in the mandate na that there is an urgency and that is one of the reasons why Congress enacted this law and why the Executive is now executing the law that has been passed," he said. — KBK/BM, GMA News