The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has issued the first in a series of human rights advisories assessing the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4), beginning with its chapter on Civil and Political Rights and Strengthening the Rule of Law.
As the country’s National Human Rights Institution, the CHR welcomes the PHRP4 as a significant step toward advancing the Philippines’ human rights commitments. The Commission particularly recognizes the more consultative and participatory process adopted in developing the Plan, which brought together government agencies, civil society organizations, and representatives of marginalized sectors. By encouraging broader participation in shaping public policy, the PHRP4 lays a stronger foundation for a more responsive and rights-based approach to governance.
The advisory also draws from the CHR’s independent regional consultations with civil society organizations and stakeholders, conducted with the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), to help ensure that the voices and experiences of communities across the country inform national human rights priorities.
The Commission recognizes important gains reflected in the Plan. Among these are commitments to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave human rights violations; enhance the capacities of investigators and prosecutors; increase civil society participation in accountability mechanisms; improve reporting and data management systems; integrate internationally accepted investigation standards; and pursue prison decongestion, digitalization, and rehabilitation programs for persons deprived of liberty. These commitments demonstrate meaningful progress in strengthening accountability, improving access to justice, and reinforcing the rule of law.
At the same time, the CHR underscores that important gaps remain. The Commission notes that stronger measures are still needed to ensure comprehensive protection for human rights defenders, reinforce witness protection mechanisms, strengthen the institutional mandate of the CHR through the passage of its Charter, ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and provide adequate resources to sustain implementation of the Plan.
The advisory likewise emphasizes that several priority legislative and policy reforms identified during the CHR’s independent consultations were not reflected in the current programs of action. These include the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, criminalization of red-tagging, the SOGIESC Equality Act, the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act, reforms relating to the Anti-Terrorism Act, decriminalization of libel and review of cyberlibel, the People’s Freedom of Information Act, and legislation addressing political dynasties.
These reforms, together with the effective implementation of existing commitments under the PHRP4, are essential to protecting civic space, strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability, and ensuring that the country’s domestic policies remain aligned with its international human rights obligations.
Moving forward, the CHR reaffirms its commitment to constructive engagement. As this is the first in a series of advisories on the PHRP4, the Commission will continue engaging with the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat, treaty body focal agencies, and other government stakeholders in monitoring implementation and advocating for the full consideration of recommendations that have yet to be reflected in the Plan.
Through sustained dialogue and evidence-based monitoring, the CHR hopes to help ensure that the PHRP4 evolves into an even more responsive and effective framework for protecting and promoting the rights of all.
Read the full Human Rights Advisory on the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan: bit.ly/OnThe4thPHHumanRightsPlan