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Sunday, June 8, 2025 - 7:57 PM
This archive features official communications from the Commission on Human Rights, reflecting its stance on pressing human rights issues and national developments. It includes joint statements, press releases, brief statements, and press statements, all aimed at informing the public, asserting positions, and fostering transparency and accountability.
The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the decision of the Sandiganbayan convicting Imelda Marcos guilty of the graft charges committed when the former First Lady occupied different positions under the Marcos dictatorship. Despite being a long process, this conviction is nonetheless a triumph for the Filipino people, especially for the victims of human rights violations under martial law, in the face of historical revisionism. The Commission stresses the need for truth so that we call ultimately hold the dictatorship and their cohorts accountable for their crimes. We will continue to be vigilant in this process in the interest of upholding justice for the victims of such transgressions. We will never […]
In light of the recent comments of PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde on limiting the number of women recruits to 10% of the police force and reasoning that such limitation is justified considering how women police officers get pregnant and avail of extended maternity leaves, the CHR as Gender Ombud reminds the PNP of the unequivocal provisions of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) on the incremental increase in the hiring women police officers tasked to address violence against women (VAW). Regardless of proposed legislation, section 9(a) of MCW is already explicit in mandating the PNP and other allied services to increase women hirees to reach 50% in five years […]
The Commission on Human Rights continues to express concern on the continuing violence against human rights defenders in the country, with the killing of Atty. Benjamin Ramos as another addition to the growing incidents of injustices to be reported. We note that, in April this year, Ramos was included in a poster, which was then disseminated in central Negros town of Moises Padilla, tagging him and other personalities as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front. Ramos is known to be a founding member of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and the secretary general of its chapter in Negros Occidental. But, regardless of his […]
Dismissal on the basis of pregnancy is clearly prohibited under the Magna Carta of Women (MCW). The prohibition against dismissing students on the basis of pregnancy does not distinguish between public or private educational institutions. The CHR is alarmed with the documents circulating in the internet showing Pines City Colleges policy of mandatory pregnancy testing not only as to possible MCW violation but also of other women’s rights particularly on the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy. As Gender Ombud, the Commission through its CAR office is investigating the case motu propio, according to the institution due process and verifying the existence of the policy. In the past, the CHR […]
The Commission on Human Rights welcomes the approval of the Senate joint resolution extending the validity and availability of funds for the victims of human rights violations under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. We recall that the House of Representatives approved their version of the joint resolution in August this year. Similar to the passage of bills, after securing the approval of both houses of Congress, it still needs the signature of the President to bear the force and effect of a law. On our part, the Commission continues to push for efforts in favour of remedies that would grant victims of the dictatorship the reparation and acknowledgement they deserve.
As a fellow human rights defender, we recognise with gratitude the dedication of Sister Patricia Fox to the human rights cause in the Philippines, especially for our farmers, labourers, and the urban poor. Founded on the universality of human rights, being a foreign national did not prevent her from dedicating almost three decades of her life addressing, within her means, an array of injustices and violations against the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our country. The Commission continues to remind the government of its human rights obligations to all persons in the country, Filipino or otherwise, in line with the human rights conventions it has accepted in […]
It is reprehensible that the President made another remark that seem to condone and encourage state forces to illegally arrest and kill those who are asserting their land rights. Given that 9 sugar farmers were recently killed, such statement by the Commander-in-Chief himself only serves to reinforce the current environment of impunity that farmers as well as other vulnerable sectors are subjected with. We urge the government to address the grievance of the farmers. As a sector that is vulnerable to natural disaster and calamities, as well as economic crisis, what they need is the government’s protection, not intimidation nor harassment. Government officials must exemplify in their words and deeds […]
When our police officers assumed their mandate, they took an oath to serve the Filipino people and protect our rights. As the motto of the Philippine National Police (PNP) commits, “to serve and protect.” There is then no acceptable excuse when our police officers become the first ones to violate our laws and the people’s rights, especially the vulnerable. The recent incident involving a police officer, who allegedly raped a suspect’s 15-year old daughter should be strongly condemned. It is more alarming that, aside from the rising number of alleged deaths linked to the anti-drug campaign, the police officer in question claims that such violation is a standard practice among […]
The Commission on Human Rights recognises that peace and order are necessary conditions for the conduct of any political exercise, such as elections and even the expected plebiscite, anywhere in the country. The martial law declaration in Mindanao, however, was primarily justified to address claimed terrorist threats following the siege in Marawi City. We agree with Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez that, at this point, it is premature to recommend the extension of martial law. There is a need for a thorough assessment of its effectiveness and a clear response to alleged cases of human rights violations, including the continuing condition of internal displacement in the region. There is […]
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document that proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being—regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The UDHR serves as an inspiration in the continuing pursuit for freedom, equality, and dignity. The universality and enduring values encapsulated in the document and espoused by States provide the foundations for a most humane and just world where equality, justice, and human dignity can thrive and flourish. As part of the anniversary celebration, an inter-agency campaign dubbed as […]
The Commission on Human Rights condemns the ambush in Lupi, Camarines Sur allegedly executed by the New People’s Army, which killed 3 cops and injured 3 more. In armed hostilities, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force is prohibited under the International Humanitarian Law. Hence, the Commission will conduct thorough and immediate investigation to help see the case through its just conclusion. The cycle of violence has not waned and this incident that imperiled even armed state forces manifest the severity of the culture of killings. We reiterate our call for the government to expediently address this problem through long term solutions to prevent savagery from taking over our society. Only […]
Problems on jail congestion in the Philippines goes beyond challenges in infrastructure. It represents a larger and deeper problem on how the government regards human rights, including for those who have run in conflict with the law. The fact is that, throughout the years, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has done more than lobbying to address the worsening problem of jail congestion in the country. The Commission, in line with its mandate of continuing research to enhance the respect for the primacy of human rights, to demonstrate, has partnered with National Capital Region (NCR) Police Office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2015 to study the human rights […]
Obligasyon ng Estado ang paghubog ng kabataan. May kaugnayan dito ang doktrina ng parens patriae o ama ng bansa na siyang nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa Estado upang protektahan ang mga taong walang kakayahan na magdesisyon para sa kanilang sarili katulad ng mga kabataan. Sa mga pagkakataong lumabag sila sa batas, ang dapat isaalang-alang ay ang agarang pagtuwid sa kanilang asal at tingnan ang mga kalagayan na siyang nag-udyok sa kanila para labagin ang batas. Ang pagpataw ng kriminal na pananagutan sa mga kabataan ay pagpasa sa kanila ng pananagutan at hindi pagkilala sa mga ugat ng suliranin na naging sanhi ng kanilang pagkakasala. Nilalabag din nito ang pangunahing prinsipyo ng […]
For the President to say that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) is his only sin means that he did not only acknowledge its existence but also recognize that it is wrong. Recognizing the existence of a wrong, which has cost thousands of lives, then behooves expedient action and rectification from the State. We harp again our call to address this problem by bringing all EJK cases to court and ensuring all perpetrators are made accountable and justice be given to all the victims and their families. Amidst the prevailing impunity, it is incumbent upon the government to employ all necessary means to address the problem for it is the supreme duty of […]
QUEZON CITY—Members of the House of Representatives on Monday, 24 September 2018, called for an increase in the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) during the plenary deliberations, citing the need to strengthen the Commission in the face of rampant human rights violations and blatant marks of impunity in the country. “Makakaapekto ito [reduced budget] sa pagpapalakas at pagpapahusay ng CHR sa pagtupad ng kanyang mandato lalo na sa panahon ngayon na nangangailangan na lalong palakasin ang CHR sa harap ng papalalang sitwasyon ng human rights,” said Representative Antonio L Tinio of ACT Teachers Party-list. (The reduced budget will affect the strengthening of the CHR in the performance […]
On Friday, 21 September 2018, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will commemorate the 46th year since the Marcos’ Martial Law with an event dubbed “Never Again, Never Forget: A day of remembrance for democracy and freedom.” The commemoration seeks to renew awareness of this dark episode in the Philippine history, which was shrouded with grave human rights abuses and various atrocities. CHR Chairperson Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon underscored the importance of remembering martial law especially in the context of the relevance of the work of CHR. “We must not forget the lessons of the past so we can guarantee that there will be no repetition of human rights […]
The controversial video making fun of the sign language used by deaf people is utterly appalling and unacceptable especially that it involves a government official and a blogger affiliated to a government office. Such behavior is extremely degrading, derogatory, and further perpetuates discrimination of the vulnerable deaf people. Sign language is a form of communication that enables deaf individuals to express themselves, their ideals, and aspirations. It is a fundamental human right of the deaf community and a key part of their higher right to self-determination. Making a mockery of this right is an attack on their dignity and makes them even more vulnerable in our society where only a […]
Mayroon di-umanong mga grupo, indibidwal, at maging mga abogado na hangad na manlamang at mangikil ng pera sa mga denied claimants ng Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) kapalit ang pagproseso at/o pag-apela ng claims para sa pinansyal na reparasyon. Ito ay hindi totoo at isang uri ng scam at panloloko. Mahalagang maging mapanuri at sumangguni lamang sa official sources katulad ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Muli naming binibigyang-diin at pinapaalalahanan ang mga biktima, kanilang pamilya, at ang publiko na nagsarado na ang HRVCB. Wala nang bagong claims o appeals ang maipo-proseso dahil dito. Wala ring bagong ahensya o opisina na naitayo upang mag-proseso ng claims at/o appeals para […]
We express our gratitude to the House of Representatives’ (HoR) Committee on Appropriations led by Chairperson Karlo Alexei B. Nograles and Vice-Chairperson Raul V. del Mar for their full support to the cause of human rights through the unhampered approval of the budget of the Commission on Human Rights at the committee-level. This shows that the HoR recognizes the expediency of the work of the Commission given the current challenging times wherein human rights violations are rampant and the culture of impunity is unabated. Your confidence in us further boosts our impetus to steadfastly demand accountability from perpetrators, provide recourse for victims especially the most vulnerable ones, and fight for […]
The Commission on Human Rights urges the Department of Education (DepEd) to actively support the use of the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) in the proposed Senate Bill for Inclusive Education in recognition of the Filipino deaf community’s right to cultural and linguistic identity. The Commission, in solidarity with the deaf community, expresses concern with the reference to FSL as simply “sign language” or “basic sign language.” Such generic term negatively impacts the linguistic identity and socio-cultural life of the vulnerable deaf community. FSL is the linguistic identity of the Filipino deaf community. It has social and cultural significance because of its history and structure, which are supported by researches and […]
Ninja cops or scalawags in the police force, the Commission agrees, are a disgrace to the institution and therefore, must be removed from the service. However, like any human being, their lives are priceless too and should not be equated to any amount, however low or exorbitant it may be. Their removal from service must not be by death which promotes vigilantism and perpetuates the cycle of violence, worse the breakdown of the rule of law but by due process which will afford them recognition of their rights. Affording them due process and their constitutional rights is by no means tolerance of their wrong doings nor acquiescence thereto but rather […]