Former senator Leila De Lima and the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list have vowed to propose a bill establishing an Extrajudicial Killings (EJK) Victims Compensation Fund if they secure seats in the House of Representatives.
De Lima, a longtime critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, said the fund aims to provide financial and social support to the families of thousands of EJK victims during Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
“As part of our fight, the ML Party-List is pushing for a law to establish an EJK Victims Compensation Fund. This seeks to provide care and support to families who lost their loved ones to the ruthless killings under the previous administration,” De Lima said in a video statement.
De Lima’s Call for Justice
De Lima, who was jailed in 2017 over drug-related charges that were later dismissed in 2024, emphasized that justice is finally within reach for victims of extrajudicial killings.
“Duterte is being made to answer—not to me, but to the victims, to their families, and to a world that refuses to forget. This is not about vengeance but justice finally taking its course,” she said.
According to government records, over 6,000 drug suspects were killed in anti-drug operations. However, human rights groups estimate the actual death toll could be as high as 30,000 due to unreported incidents.
ML Party-List Candidates
Joining De Lima as ML Party-List nominees are Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada, both known for their advocacy for human rights and good governance.