Philippine Standard Time:

Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 5:08 PM

  1. Home
  3. Policy Advisory
  5. Human Rights Advisory on the Accepted and Noted Recommendations by the Philippines During the Third…
  • Press Release

CHR unveils Diokno Memorial; calls for the defense of human rights

20 September 2017
PRESS RELEASE

CHR unveils Diokno Memorial; calls for the defense of human rights

Quezon City—On 21 September 2017, Thursday, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will commemorate the triumph against dictatorship and the affirmation of freedom, democracy, and human rights through the unveiling of the Ka Pepe Diokno Memorial at the grounds of CHR’s Offices in Quezon City.

“Ka Pepe was a legal luminary who worked relentlessly to build an active resistance of citizens that was necessary to make the anti-dictatorship movement emerge and ultimately triumph,” said CHR Chairperson Chito Gascon.

In 2016, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) entered into an agreement to create a memorial statue in honor of the late Senator Jose “Ka Pepe” Wright Diokno. The renowned Filipina sculptor Julie Lluch was commissioned by the NHCP through the NCCA to create the said monument.

As Ka Pepe is considered to be one of the pioneers of the CHR as he headed its predecessor Presidential Committee on Human Rights in 1986, the Commission is privileged to receive the statue from the Diokno Family and to mount it on its Office grounds.

“It is but fitting to honor the work that Ka Pepe and other human rights activists have done in defending our human rights and democracy on Thursday. Ka Pepe remains an inspiration and a source of light for us to press on in these dark times for human rights,” Chairperson Gascon added.

Ka Pepe established the Free Legal Assistance Group immediately after his release in 1974 to provide legal assistance to victims of human rights violations during the martial rule.

Day of mass support for human rights

Civil society organizations (CSO) have also expressed support to the CHR regarding its pending Congressional budget cut, and condemnation of human rights violations such as the ongoing extrajudicial killings, and an extended Martial Law in Mindanao, among others.

The Commission offers its Office grounds as safe space for individuals and groups who wanted to launch peaceful assemblies.

“We invite everyone to join us as we look back in our history and as we remember the life of Ka Pepe and his contribution to this country’s fight for democracy,” Chairperson Gascon stated. ###

 

Contact Person:

Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 0977 284 0787
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com

 

Download PDF

 

Related Post
  • Press Release
CHR, rights groups kick off the One Billion Rising dance campaign to end all forms of violence against women
  • Articles, Press Release, Press Statement
Child rights advocates urge gov’t, public: Don’t forget child victims of online sexual abuse & exploitation amid pandemic
  • Press Release, Press Statement
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in support of the bill to strengthen protection of children against online sexual abuse and exploitation
  • Press Release, Press Statement
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the proposed P100 minimum wage increase for private sector workers nationwide
  • Press Release, Press Statement
Atty. Richard P. Palpal-latoc joins the Commission on Human Rights as its new Chairperson
  • Press Release, Press Statement
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the hazing that killed a student in Davao City
Latest Post
  • Press Statement, Statements
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the ambush of a barangay kagawad in Tanza, Cavite
  • Press Statement
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on reports of red-tagging and sexist remarks amid the #Eleksyon2025 campaign season
  • Press Statement
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the rise of alleged human trafficking cases involving Filipinos in Myanmar
  • Press Release
CHR launches its first-ever Human Rights-Based Approach Training to Reporting for Filipino Journalists
  • Press Statement
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the ambush of an election officer and spouse in Maguindanao del Norte
  • Press Release
CHR publishes advisory calling for rights-based approaches in upcoming #Eleksyon2025

Other Stories

  • Brief Statement, Press Statement

Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the student modules discouraging children from joining peaceful assemblies

We are concerned that a module on Media and Information Literacy allegedly coming from the Department of Education (DepEd) discouraging children from participating in peaceful assemblies, such as rallies, because the government is doing its best for all Filipinos and

  • Press Statement

Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, in observance of National Children’s Month

The National Children’s Month commences today, 1 November 2020, to promote the welfare of children and increase awareness on their rights. This year’s theme focuses on collectively ensuring children’s rights in this period of health crisis: “Sama-samang Itaguyod ang Karapatan

  • Position Paper

Right to Adequate Food Bills in the 17th Congress of the House of Representatives

The CHRP fully supports the enactment of laws that ensure the enjoyment of all the people of their right to adequate food. This proposed measure seeks to showcase the right as the right of all to have physical and economic

  • Press Release, Press Statement

Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the authorisation of the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber to proceed with investigation in the Philippines

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) notes the recent decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I authorising the Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan KC, to proceed with the investigation of the crimes against humanity allegedly linked with the

  • Brief Statement, Press Statement

Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia, on the protest of Liga ng mga Magulang on the recruitment of minors in armed conflict

A group of concerned parents called ‘Liga ng mga Magulang’ held a protest at Liwasang Diokno, a freedom park at CHR’s Central Office, on Thursday, 27 February 2020. Focal to the issues raised were concerns over the alleged recruitment of

  • Brief Statement, Press Statement

Statement of CHR Center for Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights on the decision of the Court of Appeals declaring Mandaluyong City’s riding-in-tandem ordinances unconstitutional

The Commission welcomes the decision of the Court of Appeals in declaring unconstitutional the Mandaluyong Ordinance prohibiting riding in tandem. In Garcia vs. Drilon (Garcia vs. Drilon, G.R. 179267, June 25, 2013. 699 SCRA 352), when the Supreme Court upheld