Statement of CHR Spokesperson, Atty. Jacqueline de Guia, on the use of child soldiers by NPA in armed conflict
Last 2 December 2019, authorities identified the killed soldier of the New People’s Army (NPA) during an encounter with the 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) is a 16-year-old teenage boy from Gingoog City. The NPA minor was Litboy Talja Binongcasan, a Grade Six pupil in Sitio Sioan Elementary School in Brgy. Malinao, Gingoog City. The Commission […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the proposed bill pushing for death penalty by firing squad for corrupt public officials
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern on the proposed bill pushing for the death penalty by firing squad for corrupt public officials. CHR recognizes that corruption is a grave offense that has far-reaching and systemic consequences, including perpetuation of inequality and weakening of institutions. However, the death penalty is not a guaranteed […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights recognizing the efforts of the House of Representatives for their full support of the CHR Charter Bill
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the House of Representatives for their full support in advancing the CHR Charter Bill, which successfully hurdled the rigorous scrutiny of the Committee on Appropriations on 21 January 2025. Through the efforts of the House Committee on Appropriations, the current draft of the substitute […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights Supporting the Proposed Bill Penalizing Child Support Violators
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) strongly supports the passage of House Bill (HB) 8987, also known as An Act Ensuring Child Support and Penalizing Parental Refusal or Neglect Thereof. The proposed measure seeks to penalize the parent who fails to provide essential support for their children’s education, food, clothing, and other basic needs. Article […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the separate incidents of killings of political candidates and election officers in the country
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) vehemently condemns the spate of killings committed against political candidates and election officers in the country. It is deeply alarming that, despite efforts by the government and law enforcement agencies to foster peace ahead of the elections, a culture of violence persists—normalizing killings and other forms of harassment as […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the slain migrant worker in Kuwait
The CHR expresses its deepest sympathies and sends prayers to the family and friends of overseas worker Dafnie Nacalaban, who was found dead after being reported missing. The CHR acknowledges the efforts of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in seeking justice for Dafnie Nacalaban. No Filipino should […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the MAKABATA program
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) warmly welcomes the establishment of the Mahalin at Kalingain Ating mga Bata (MAKABATA) program, a comprehensive, one-stop system designed to address and monitor issues affecting children in need of special protection (CNSPs). The recent approval of Executive Order 79 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. further strengthens this initiative by […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the year 2025 with a positive outlook on advancing the human rights landscape in the country
The year 2024 has witnessed various challenges and developments in the human rights situation in the Philippines. As such, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reaffirms its commitment to upholding its mandate to protect and promote the dignity of all as we welcome the new year. We have all worked hard this year to advance […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights lauding the signing of the Basic Education Mental Health Law
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the efforts of our legislators for crafting laws that enhance the Philippine education system by establishing strong mechanisms to implement comprehensive school-based mental health programs across all public and private basic education institutions. Signed into law on 09 December 2024, Republic Act (RA) No. 12080, or the Basic […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights denouncing the killing of a partylist representative of an agricultural workers’ sector
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) decries the brazen ambush of Ponciano Onia, president of the Abono Partylist, which advocates for Filipino farmers in the Congress. Onia, also an incumbent municipal councilor of Umingan town, Pangasinan was ruthlessly attacked and showered with bullets while he was driving home on 07 December 2024. The CHR acknowledges […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the Celebration of the 2024 Holiday Season
Sa diwa ng kapayapaan umuusbong ang mas makatarungang lipunan! The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the nation in celebrating this year’s Holiday Season. This festive period reminds us of the values that unite us as a people—compassion, gratitude, and respect for the dignity of all. As we gather with our loved ones and share […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the QuadComm’s recommendation to file charges for anti-drug campaign EJKs
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) acknowledges the recommendation of the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee (QuadComm) to pursue charges of crimes against humanity against those involved in the alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign. Specifically, the QuadComm has called for the filing of charges against the following individuals: former […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the proliferation of fake identification cards for persons with disabilities
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses its grave concern over reports of the alleged proliferation of fake identification cards (IDs) for persons with disabilities. Under Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, as amended by Republic Act No. 10754, persons with disabilities are entitled to a 20 percent discount and […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the return of Mary Jane Veloso after 14 years
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) warmly welcomes Mary Jane Veloso’s return to the Philippines after enduring 14 years of incarceration in Indonesia, including time on death row. Her homecoming reflects the enduring pursuit of justice and compassion. This milestone coincides with the recent observance of International Migrant Workers Day, underscoring the bravery of Filipino […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the court victory of journalist Atom Araullo vs red-taggers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the recent decision of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 306, which ruled in favor of journalist Atom Araullo in his civil suit against SMNI hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, who accused him of being associated with communist terrorist ideologies in their talk show. In […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights supporting the Supreme Court ruling which reiterates the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities to testify in court
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC), advocating for the use of people-first language and reaffirming that persons with intellectual disabilities are competent to testify in court. As the country’s independent national human rights institution, we believe that inclusive approaches are crucial for reforming the justice system […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on UNICEF’s report showing that over half of children in the country suffer violent discipline
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses deep concern over the recent findings in the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report. The study reveals that over 23 million children under the age of 14 experience violent discipline within their homes—an alarming statistic that underscores the deeply ingrained culture of violence affecting many Filipino children. UNICEF’s […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the call of UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan for the Philippine government to address issues concerning media workers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) acknowledges the urgent appeal made by United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, urging the Philippine government to review the cases of journalists facing legal charges and address the alarming incidents of media killings in the country. As the country’s independent national human […]
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. […]
CHR on the Celebration of the 2024 International Human Rights Day and the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) proudly joins the international community in celebrating International Human Rights Day and commemorating the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December 2024. These milestones underscore the enduring relevance of human rights in shaping a just and humane world. With this year’s theme “Our […]
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights welcoming the positive developments on Mary Jane Veloso’s case and her return to the Philippines after over a decade of imprisonment in Indonesia
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the Indonesian government’s update on the situation of Mary Jane Veloso and her possible return to the Philippines after over a decade of consultations and diplomatic engagements. Back in October 2010, Veloso was sentenced to death upon being discovered at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia with 2.6 kilograms of […]
