MANILA — A proposal for full reparations for surviving Filipino comfort women, known as the Malaya Lolas, has been filed in the House of Representatives.

House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Leila De Lima filed House Resolution 912 urging the Executive Department and relevant government agencies to provide “adequate, prompt, and effective” compensation to survivors and, where applicable, to the families of deceased members in line with international and domestic laws.

“Hustisya para sa Malaya Lolas! These concrete steps should be implemented swiftly and seriously, as they are consistent with the country’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),” De Lima said.

De Lima highlighted the most notorious incident in November 1944, when members of the Imperial Japanese Army forcibly took the Malaya Lolas to “Bahay na Pula” in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. There, the women were detained and repeatedly subjected to sexual violence, torture, and inhumane conditions.

“Consistent with its constitutional duty to uphold human dignity, human rights, equality, and the rule of law, the State must act decisively to address this longstanding injustice to Malaya Lolas and provide an effective remedy for the continuing consequences of wartime sexual violence and the State’s failure to afford timely, adequate and effective redress,” De Lima, a former Commission on Human Rights chairperson, said.

She stressed that only a few of the Malaya Lolas remain alive, many of whom are bedridden or in poor health.

“Ano pang hinihintay ng gobyerno, bakit hindi pa rin maipagkaloob sa kanila ang nararapat na pagkilala at sapat na danyos perwisyo sa mga karahasan at pagdurusang dinanas nila?” De Lima said.

The proposal cites the 2023 findings of the CEDAW Committee, which said the Philippine government failed to provide adequate redress to survivors. The Committee recommended full reparations, including compensation, an official apology, and measures to preserve historical memory.

De Lima urged the government to implement the following measures:

• Adequate compensation recognizing the grave physical, psychological, emotional, social, and intergenerational harms suffered by survivors;
• Comprehensive rehabilitation and support services tailored to the age, health, and circumstances of the Malaya Lolas;
• Memorialization and historical preservation of sites like Bahay na Pula;
• Inclusion of the history of Filipino comfort women in basic and secondary education; and
• Legislative and institutional guarantees to prevent recurrence of conflict-related sexual violence.

“Walang dahilan para ibinbin at ipagkait pa ang makatwirang mga serbisyong ito para sa Malaya Lolas. Ang pagkakaloob nito ay hindi lamang hustisya para sa kanila, kundi pagbibigay din ng proteksyon at paggalang sa karapatan at dignidad ng kababaihan sa bawat henerasyon ng ating kasaysayan,” De Lima said.

(There is no reason to hesitate and deny the fair compensation to Malaya Lolas. This is not just about justice, but giving them protection, respect, and dignity.)