The Sixth Commission (2022-2029)
Leadership committed to advancing human rights.
Meet the Sixth Commission of the CHR, serving from 2022 to 2029. As the Commission En Banc, they lead the institution’s mandate to protect, promote, and uphold the rights and dignity of all Filipinos through collective decision-making and strategic governance.
HON. RICHARD PAAT PALPAL-LATOC
Chairperson (2022-2029)
Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc leads the 6th Commission en banc (CEB VI) of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR), now with a full roster of Commissioners. At the midpoint of his term, he remains dedicated to transforming the Commission into a modern institution—prompt, accessible, responsive, and efficient in fulfilling its mandate. Alongside the four Commissioners, he elevates the CHR’s standing as an independent and credible national human rights institution that is attuned to the changing needs of Filipinos and aligned with international human rights standards.
Building a future-ready CHR: Institutional reforms through digitalization
Under his leadership, the CHR has embraced digital transformation to strengthen its systems and services. The Management Information System Monitoring Outlet, popularly coined as CHR MISMO, is a web-based portal for reporting, filing, and tracking complaints and requests, established to improve access and efficiency. He has, likewise, advanced the Alisto! Alert Mechanism. It is an online reporting platform where media workers nationwide can promptly report incidents of attacks and threats to the CHR. This initiative strengthens the Commission’s monitoring and response systems and reaffirms its commitment to uphold media freedom and safety, in line with the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists.
Chairperson Palpal-latoc also spearheaded the creation of the Place of Deprivation of Liberty Visitation Information System, which streamlines data collection and monitoring of detention conditions, enabling evidence-based reporting on compliance with the Anti-Torture Act and international standards. Complementing these initiatives, the CHR General Administration and Financial Management Information System was introduced for CHR employees to enhance internal management and streamline processes.
Strengthening human rights across the Philippines
In his effort to bring the Commission closer to local communities throughout the country, Chairperson Palpal-latoc launched the nationwide caravan Lakbay Karapatan Tungo sa Kamalayan (LaKarAn), which fosters dialogue and capacity-building on human rights issues across the regions. Media Sessions were conducted as part of the LaKarAn to engage local journalists, discuss pressing human rights concerns, and promote the safety and welfare of the media community. Guided by his leadership, the Commission conducted a series of public hearings under the Public Inquiry on Red-Tagging, aimed at producing a comprehensive report that defines the practice, identifies acts and violations, and recommends mechanisms to prevent related abuses. Additionally, Chairperson Palpal-latoc leads the Task Force on Zero Backlog Cases, a flagship initiative designed to expedite case resolutions and deliver timely justice for victims and their families.
As the Focal for the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, he leads CHR’s efforts to uphold the right to life, protect human rights defenders, advance international humanitarian law, and promote freedoms of opinion and expression. Concurrently, he guides CHR’s initiatives under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, focusing on labor rights, environmental protection, climate change, and business and human rights. Additionally, he manages CHR’s specialized mandate as the Oversight Committee on Anti-Torture, championing robust advocacy for the prevention of torture and the protection of Persons Deprived of Liberty.
Global representation and leadership
On the global stage, Chairperson Palpal-latoc represents the Philippines in key human rights bodies. He serves as the Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Working Group on Business and Human Rights, where he leads discussions on corporate accountability and human rights responsibilities. He is also an Alternate Member of the GANHRI Bureau, a Member of the Asia Pacific Forum Governance Committee, and a Forum Councilor of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institutions where he contributes to strengthening the capacities and independence of national human rights institutions worldwide.
With Chairperson Palpal-latoc’s firm commitment to advance human rights, he encourages collaboration and is determined to work tirelessly with everyone who believes in the same advocacy, solidifying the CHR’s role not only as the country’s national human rights institution but also as a vital contributor to the worthy cause of global human rights.
HON. BEDA ANGELES EPRES
Commissioner (2022-2029)
Commissioner Beda Angeles Epres is the first appointee under the 6th Commission en banc of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). He serves as the Spokesperson of the Commission and heads the Strategic Communication Division, roles through which he strengthens the CHR’s visibility, credibility, and impact as the nation’s independent human rights institution.
Commissioner Epres represents the Commission in various international platforms that advance human rights standards and cooperation. He is elected as the permanent alternative representative for the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which plays a vital role in reviewing the accreditation of national human rights institutions to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles. His international engagements also include the 58th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council and the GANHRI Annual Meeting and Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
As the Focal Commissioner on the Rights of Older Persons, he actively engages in the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing to advocate for a convention that will strengthen the protection and affirm the inherent dignity of older persons. He has advanced this through his involvement in the Global Alliance on the Rights of Older Persons Working Group and the Working Group on Ageing and the Human Rights of Older Persons. His notable engagements in various international meetings and forums reflect his commitment to global collaboration, including his recent participation at the Asia Pacific Forum on the Rights of Older Persons and Ageing in Ulaabaatar, Mongolia, where he served as the keynote speaker.
Commissioner Epres has been at the forefront of championing children’s rights, advocating for their protection and well-being at both national and international levels. He has strongly supported the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He is also involved in discussions during the First Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group in Geneva, which focused on drafting an optional protocol to the CRC and will be submitted to the Human Rights Council.
Commissioner Epres also addresses some of the most urgent human rights challenges facing the country. He works on issues concerning extrajudicial killings, particularly in the context of the anti-drug campaign. Through his involvement on Administrative Order No. 35, he helps address severe abuses such as enforced disappearances and torture, upholding the CHR’s mandate to protect human rights across all sectors.
Before his appointment, Commissioner Epres built a 25-year career at the Office of the Ombudsman, where he rose through the ranks from Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer to leadership roles in both investigative and prosecutorial functions. With his extensive expertise in conducting independent investigations, Commissioner Epres’ track record is foundational to upholding CHR’s human rights protection mandate.
HON. FAYDAH MANIRI DUMARPA
Commissioner (2022-2029)
Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa is a member of the 6th Commission en banc of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). A passionate advocate for human rights, her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing gender equality, protecting marginalized communities, and ensuring human dignity in both traditional and emerging spaces.
As the focal Commissioner for gender, she leads the CHR’s efforts through the Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center (GEWHRC). Her advocacy centers on promoting women’s rights under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), supported by key Philippine laws such as the Magna Carta of Women (RA No. 9710), Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA No. 9262), Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA No. 7877), Safe Spaces Act or Bawal Bastos Law (RA No. 11313), Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RA No. 10354), and the Expanded Solo Parents’ Welfare Act (RA No. 11861).
Commissioner Dumarpa also plays a pivotal role in jail visitation programs, safeguarding the rights of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and promoting compliance with international standards in detention facilities. Her hands-on approach ensures that PDLs are treated with fairness and respect, aligned with human rights principles.
Beyond gender equality and prison reform, she actively works on issues related to the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). She is a staunch advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples, the Bangsamoro community, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), focusing on inclusive solutions to address their needs. In response to the challenges posed by emerging technologies, she promotes the responsible use of digital innovations, ensuring they respect human dignity and human rights.
Commissioner Dumarpa brings extensive expertise in legal, socio-political, and administrative fields, enriching the Commission’s capacity for effective governance. As a Muslim woman in the CHR’s highest decision-making body, she adds valuable diversity, fostering a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach within the Commission en banc.
Her work exemplifies a lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of the most vulnerable, inspiring others to uphold and advance the principles of human rights in every sector of society.
HON. Justice MONINA AREVALO ZENAROSA (ret.)
Commissioner (2022-2029)
Retired Court of Appeals Justice Monina Arevalo Zenarosa is the third appointed Commissioner of the 6th Commission en banc. She is the second woman member, enhancing gender balance within the CHR’s leadership.
At the forefront of her work is the Bantay Karapatan sa Halalan (BKH), a CHR initiative to monitor and report election-related human rights violations. In collaboration with election watchdogs and human rights groups nationwide, she helps ensure swift responses to voter intimidation, electoral fraud, and election- related violence. BKH also provides access to evidence-based data for attainment of justice for victims and accountability of perpetrators of human rights violations.
In promoting youth suffrage, Commissioner Zenarosa seeks to encourage young people to actively participate in democratic processes. She aims to empower young Filipinos to exercise their right to vote and to do so meaningfully, that is, that the youth should be keen and proactive, not only voting itself, but understanding the candidates, their platforms, and the implications of proposed policies.
As the focal for the rights of migrant workers, Commissioner Zenarosa endeavors to address issues under the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers (CMW). She is a staunch advocate for the rights and welfare of migrant workers and their families, helping ensure their rights are upheld during all levels of the migration process. This also includes helping address cases of violence as well as supporting Filipinos încarcerated abroad or facing death row.
Her areas of concern extend to the protection of refugees tackling issues of statelessness and advancing youth suffrage. These efforts aim to guarantee that these vulnerable populations receive the protections promised under domestic and international law.
Commissioner Zenarosa strengthens the plurality of the Commission en banc with her comprehensive experience in applying and interpreting the law as a member of the judiciary for decades. This provides critical insight to the CHR’s work and helps strengthen its capacity to uphold and protect human rights for all.
HON. judge maria amifaith s. fider-reyes (ret.)
Commissioner (2024-2029)
Retired Judge Maria Amifaith S. Fider-Reyes was appointed on 13 November 2024 as the fifth and final member of the current 6th Commission of the CHR.
Being the third woman serving in the en banc, her appointment is pivotal in completing the leadership structure crucial to the foregrounding of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Right to Food Security, and the Right to Health (including mental health, and the rights of those afflicted with HIV, leprosy, or rare diseases).
She leads the CHR’s commitment to ensuring that the needs of the sectors do not get drowned by the diverse and competing challenges faced by Filipino society at large.
Joining the Philippine Delegation to the 18th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP18) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 10 June 2025 in New York City, USA, she is at the forefront of enhancing the monitoring and implementation of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act 7277, as amended), Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa 344), and the Filipino Sign Language Act (Republic Act No. 11106).
She leads the CHR advocacy for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law (Republic Act 11223), supporting efforts to improve accessibility and monitoring the law’s adherence to human rights principles like non-discrimination and affordability to health services for all Filipinos, especially the most vulnerable. She is committed to upholding non-discrimination, the right to privacy, and guarantee of healthcare services for persons living with HIV under the Philippine HIV and Aids Policy Act (Republic Act No. 11166) and persons living with leprosy under the Act Further Liberalizing the Treatment of Leprosy (Republic Act No. 4073).
Committing to a human rights-based approach to address the issue of food security, she works to establish favorable policy conditions for food security, collaborating with stakeholders in food security forums in Metro Manila and Tarlac Province, in Davao and Caraga regions for 2026.
She was Regional Trial Court Judge for 17 years. She received her LLM from the University of Haifa in Israel on scholarship. She is a Chevening Scholar with a fellowship in the University of London on the International Rights of the Child. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Members of the Commission on Human Rights
Republic of the Philippines
FIRST COMMISSION
(1987 – 1992)
Mary Concepcion Bautista
Chairperson
Abelardo L. Aportadera, jr.
Samuel M. Soriano
Hesiquio R. Mallillin
Narciso C. Monteiro
Commissioners
(1992 – 1994)
Sedfrey A. Ordoñez
Chairperson
Samuel M. Soriano
Hesiquio R. Mallillin
Narciso C. Monteiro
Paulyn P. Sicam
Commissioners
SECOND COMMISSION
(1994 – 2001)
Aurora P. Navarrete-Reciña
Chairperson
Jorge R. Coquia
Vicente P. Sibulo
Mercedes V. Contreras
Nasser A. Marohomsalic
Commissioners
THIRD COMMISSION
(2002 – 2008)
Purificacion C. Valera Quisumbing
Chairperson
Eligio P. Mallari
Dominador N. Calamba II
Wilhelm D. Soriano
Malik G. Marandang
Quintin B. Cueto III
Commissioners
FOURTH COMMISSION
(2008 – 2010)
Leila M. de Lima
Chairperson
Cecilia Rachel V. Quisumbing
Victoria V. Cardona
Norberto Dela Cruz
Jose Manuel S. Mamauag
Commissioners
(2010 – 2015)
Loretta Ann ‘Etta’ Rosales
Chairperson
Cecilia Rachel V. Quisumbing
Victoria V. Cardona
Norberto Dela Cruz
Jose Manuel S. Mamauag
Commissioners
FIFTH COMMISSION
(2015 – 2022)
Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon (2015 – 2021)
Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento (2022)
Chairpersons
Karen Lucia S. Gomez-Dumpit
Gwendolyn Ll. Pimentel-Gana
Leah C. Tanodra-Armamento (2015-2021)
Roberto Eugenio T. Cadiz
Commissioners