The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), together with the National Human Rights Consciousness Week – National Committee (NHRCW-NC), officially opened the 2025 National Human Rights Consciousness Week (NHRCW) on 04 December 2025 at the Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon Buidling, CHR Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City. This year’s theme, “Karapatang Pantao: Kasama sa Araw-araw,” highlights the crucial role of human rights in daily life and underscores the collective duty of government, civil society, and the public to uphold these principles in all spaces of society.
Delivering the keynote message, CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-Latoc emphasized that the week-long celebration serves as a reminder that human rights should not be confined to grand occasions or crises alone.
“Human rights are not occasional ideals—they are the everyday foundations of a just, humane, and democratic society. This year’s theme challenges us to make dignity, equality, and freedom present in the ordinary moments of our collective and personal lives,” Chair Palpal-latoc said.
Guest of honor Rep. Maria Cristina “Inday Tina” Talavera-Lopez, CHR’s House budget sponsor, also delivered an inspirational message underscoring the importance of legislation in ensuring that human rights principles translate into concrete and accessible services.
“This year’s theme deeply resonates with me as a legislator entrusted with the responsibility of shaping policies to protect our people. When we craft policies, when we debate measures, when we vote on the budget, we are deciding on the quality of life of our people. Human rights is not just a principle to uphold, it is the compass that should guide every servant who wields the power to legislate,” Rep. Talavera-Lopez said.
Members of the NHRCW-NC also gave solidarity messages together with CHR Commissioners Beda A. Epres, Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, Justice Monina Arevalo-Zenarosa (Ret.), and Judge Maria Amifaith S. Fider-Reyes (Ret.).
Featured events of the week-long celebration
This year’s NHRCW features a lineup of activities led by the CHR and various members of the NHRCW-NC, reflecting the evolving needs and challenges of human rights work in the Philippines. Among the key highlights are:
4 December 2025 — Discussion on the Philippine Islamic Burial Act
A multi-stakeholder dialogue examining the newly enacted Philippine Islamic Burial Act to strengthen policy awareness and collaboration in upholding the cultural and religious rights of Muslim Filipinos.
5 December 2025 — Advancing PDL Rights 2026: Program Presentation and Partnership Ceremony
A presentation of CHR’s 2026 initiatives for persons deprived of liberty, bringing together government, civil society, and international partners to advance humane treatment and access to justice.
9 December 2025 — Upholding Integrity: A National Forum on Corruption and Human Rights
A national conversation on how corruption erodes human dignity and why integrity in governance is essential to protecting human rights.
11-12 December 2025 — Public Symposium on Human Rights in Contemporary Times
A three-day symposium examining emerging human rights issues shaped by technology, climate change, and evolving global challenges.
10 December 2025 — Culmination Night
A celebration of International Human Rights Day featuring the awarding of the Gawad Karapatang Pantao to outstanding human rights champions.
A call to practice human rights every day
CHR calls on all Filipinos to take part in this week’s activities and to live out human rights in every space where people live, learn, work, and interact. As we commemorate NHRCW 2025, CHR encourages everyone to contribute in making human rights real and accessible for all.
Let us continue building a nation where rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled—saan man, kailan man, maging sino ka man. ###