26 April 2023, Mabini Hall, Malacañang

Good morning to all. Distinguished guests, friends, ladies, and gentlemen.

In the last couple of days, we have had a meaningful dialogue with Ms. Signe Poulsen, Senior Human Rights Adviser, United Nations Human Rights, and Mr. Ben Buckland and Ms. Manachaya Yankittikul from the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), sharing with them ideas, thoughts, and important local perspectives regarding the significance and need for the establishment of a workable National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to assist us in preventing torture and other similar brutal practices from taking place against persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

Today, before we end this briefing on the Sub-Committee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, we would like to express our gratitude and heartfelt thank you to our special guests, partners, and resource persons for everything that they have shared so that we may be guided further in our continuing journey towards the creation of a stronger culture of human rights in the country.

Likewise, let us acknowledge the participation of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat in organizing this event for it would not have been as successful if it were not for their hard work and assistance.

At this point, as we recognize the importance of the State in CHR’s effort to faithfully execute its mandate in upholding and protecting human rights, we reiterate the need to double our efforts to engage with all the stakeholders if we are to move forward and succeed in our goal to establish a strong culture of human rights in the Philippines.

Specifically, if we are to achieve success in pushing for legislation that will allow the creation of an NPM, we must bring the State and other relevant government agencies to the table for a meaningful dialogue. There is no denying that we need everybody’s support and collaborative effort for the Commission to get things done. As we often say, the CHR is always ready and willing to extend a hand of cooperation and partnership with everyone whose advocacy is the same as ours. After all, we share the same aspiration for our country and people: To create a just, free, and humane society where members thereof can co-exist with each other despite the many differences; where respect and dignity are afforded to all; where we, as human beings, are treated as such: HUMAN BEINGS.

In the same way that we desire to bring the CHR closer to the Government, we also aim to bring the CHR and its services closer to the masses it serves. We have commenced doing so by launching a Commission initiated program called LAKARAN or Lakbay Karapatan Tungo sa Kamalayan. It is a human rights education caravan that will visit all the regions across the country to promote human rights at the grassroots level so that appreciation understanding and assertion of the same can be improved and ingrained into the consciousness of ordinary Filipinos. Not only will the CHR become more accessible to the locals but it will also pave the way for the CHR to establish stronger partnerships with LGUs, NGOs, CSOs, and other related community organizations within the localities. Such partnerships are encouraged to enable program sustainability.

After yesterday’s session about the NPM and the urgency of its creation for the prevention of torture and ill-treatment of PDLs, let us likewise welcome the impending visit of the SPT to our country. It is a complementary human rights-focused, treaty body in the United Nations organization that will aid and guide independent NPMs in their undertakings.  It is worth noting that it has been 8 years since their last trip to the Philippines.

With their presence, we can expect sound advice, recommendations, and proposals for better and more effective management of our detention facilities, including the more acceptable and humane treatment of persons inhabiting the same. We can gain more knowledge from their expertise and years of experience regarding more proactive approaches to improving our penal system and dealing with PDLs without resorting to degradation and torture.

Let us observe, listen, learn, and possibly adopt measures and initiatives best suited for the country and our people. Let us put aside whatever differences we have and embrace the best that each of us can offer so that we can create a livable space that we all deserve.

As their intention is anchored on a notable purpose, we at the CHR would like to encourage the State authorities and other relevant government agencies to extend full cooperation and embrace this exercise as a learning and positive endeavor for the good of all.

At the end of the day, we cannot deny that what they want, and what we want are the same: To establish civility in the management of our affairs; to encourage respect in the treatment of others; to bring forth abundance for a brighter tomorrow; and to allow peace and harmony to reign over our nation. In short, we all want a progressive society where humanity is not considered a mere option. Instead, it ought to be an established reality deeply rooted in everyone’s core being. We want a livable space where ultimately humanity matters.

Together, we can make this work. Together, we can make a difference. Together, it can be done and so we must.

Thank you and a good day to all.