Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the recent graduation of 68 PDLs at the Bilibid Extension School
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) warmly welcomes the recent graduation of 68 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta – Bilibid Extension School (UPHSD-BES) program. According to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), 11 PDLs have earned their college degree in Entrepreneurship, while 57 PDLs have completed high school. […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights lauding the first-ever in-person classes for PDLs in Manila City Jail
Edukasyon para sa lahat! The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends and warmly welcomes the first-ever in-person classes for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Manila City Jail, initiated by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University (PUPOU). Last July, PUP and Manila City Jail formalized an agreement to offer four bachelor’s programs to […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights backing BJMP’s appeal for higher food and medical allowances for PDLs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) appeal for increased budget allocations for the food and medical allowances of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). For 2024, only P70 is allocated per PDL for daily meals, while the budget for medicine is capped at P15 per person. These […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the DOJ’s commitment to conduct forensic autopsies on deceased inmates
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) commitment to conduct forensic autopsies on deceased inmates. Under the agreement, the DOJ will look into the deaths of inmates under the custody of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), in accordance with international standards and good practices. DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla signed […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing deep concern over the reported cases of suspected TB symptoms among PDLs in Pasay City Jail
[ERRATUM] (On the previous statement released regarding the reported cases of suspected TB symptoms among PDLs in Pasay City Jail) As of 18 June 2024, this Press Statement has been revised to correct the name of an institution mentioned in the previous version released on 30 May 2024. In the previous version, we urged the […]
CHR discusses rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives for women deprived of liberty to Asia-Pacific women judges
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), represented by Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, took part in the 2024 Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) and the 2024 National Convention of the Philippine Women Judges Association (PWJA) on 08 to 10 May 2024. With the theme “Women Lead: Transforming […]
Statement of CHR Commissioner Beda Angeles Epres, Focal for Older Persons, supporting the P500 monthly grocery discount for Seniors and Persons with disabilities
Commissioner Beda Angeles Epres, Focal Commissioner for Older Persons of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), supports and acknowledges the proposed P500 monthly grocery discount for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). “This initiative reflects the Commission’s collective efforts to improve the quality of life for our elderly and persons with disabilities. This also […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged strip search of political prisoners’ wives at the New Bilibid Prison
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over the reported cases of strip searches of political prisoners’ wives and other visitors of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). The CHR has launched its own investigation, led by the Investigation Office and the Prevention Cluster, to look into the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights in support of the proposed measure seeking to ensure the safety of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside jail facilities
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its strong support for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2031 or the “Jails and Prisons Monitoring Act of 2023,” which seeks to ensure the safety and security of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) while serving their sentence. Filed by Senator Raffy Tulfo, SB 2031 “seeks to […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights in support of the RISE project that seeks the reintegration of PDLs while boosting food security
The Commission on Human Rights expresses its support to the Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment for Food Security (RISE) project signed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) that aims to rehabilitate and reintegrate persons deprived of liberty through agricultural work while contributing to the Philippines’ […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights commending the Supreme Court’s modernization efforts, including its recent decision to allow videoconferencing for legal aid cases
On 18 January 2023, the Supreme Court signed a decision permitting videoconferences for legal aid cases through the Office of the Court Administrator Circular No. 13-2023 in response to a request from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. This decision pursues the goals of the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027 [1] […]
Welcome Address of CHR Commissioner, Hon. Faydah M. Dumarpa, during the “Women, Life, & Liberty: Women’s Situations in Jails and Access to Justice” Forum (30 March 2023)
30 March 2023, 3:00 PM, via Zoom Hon. Faydah M. Dumarpa | Commissioner, Philippine Commission on Human Rights Asallamuwalaikum at magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat, ako po si Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa, Focal Commissioner for Women’s Rights and Persons Deprived of their Liberty ng Komisyon sa mga Kaparatang Pantao. It is my pleasure to welcome […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the DOJ circular on the reduction of bail bonds for indigent persons deprived of liberty
The government is duty-bound to ensure that the rights of all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs)—including those facing charges, those awaiting trial, and those arbitrarily detained—are respected, protected, and fulfilled in accordance with constitutional and international human rights standards. But given existing problems of overpopulation, poor living conditions, corruption, inadequate access to legal and medical […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights commending the Bureau of Corrections for its efforts to decongest detention facilities
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for the release of 416 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) on 20 February 2023. Of these PDLs qualified for release, 78 were acquitted, nine were granted probation, and 81 received parole, while the remaining served their maximum sentence. Location-wise, 205 came from the […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the alleged strip search of relatives of political prisoners in Metro Manila District Jail Annex 4
Rules 51 and 52(1) of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, or the Mandela Rules, state that security searches “shall not be used to harass, intimidate or unnecessarily intrude upon a prisoner’s privacy” and that “intrusive searches shall be conducted in private and by trained staff of the same sex […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing concern over the 176 bodies of persons deprived of liberty unclaimed in a funeral home
The recent discovery of alleged 176 bodies of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) stored and unclaimed in a funeral home since December 2021 is a cause for serious concern for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The unclaimed bodies were discovered in the course of the ongoing investigation into the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid. […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the high death rate among persons deprived of liberty
The 2021 data of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) revealed that 1,166 individuals out of the total 48,501 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) died within correctional facilities—the highest figure in 32 years. As of September 2022, there have already been more than 700 PDLs who have died in custody. This is tantamount to three to […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights expressing grave concern on the reported hostage incident involving former Senator Leila De Lima
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is gravely concerned on the reported incident of former CHR Chair and Senator Leila De Lima being held hostage today, 9 October 2022, at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center by three other detainees. While initial information reaching CHR share that Senator De Lima is now safe, it […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, supporting the PAO appeal for the release of elderly and sickly persons deprived of liberty
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports the appeal of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to the Office of the President (OP) for the grant of executive clemency to 301 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) composed mostly of those elderly and ailing. In line with the Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes […]
Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, lauding the SC decision to allow persons deprived of liberty to vote in national and local elections
It can be recalled that in 2012, a petition was filed with the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to thwart the implementation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 9371, which allows the participation of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the national and local elections. The High Court partially granted the Petitioner’s application in 2016 […]
CHR Region III commends Guimba District Jail for best practices in ensuring the health and safety of inmates during the Covid-19 pandemic
By Alistair T. Tan The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Region III held a simple awarding ceremony on 22March 2022 to recognize the best practices and initiatives of the Guimba District Jail in theprotection and promotion of the rights of inmates during the pandemic. Present during the ceremony was Jail Inspector Jose Lennon III, […]