The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) lauds the speech of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo to members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Siklab Laya” Class of 2025 during their recognition rites. CJ Gesmundo emphasized the constitutional mandate of the military to bring primacy to the civil rights of the people before their own authority.

Quoting a provision in Article II, Section 3 of our Constitution, CJ Gesmundo said, “Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.”

It means that central to their duty of protecting our sovereignty should be the understanding that human rights are the very pillars that uphold and maintain our rule of law, and, therefore, should be safeguarded.

The Chief Justice also cites the Honor Code of the military institution – “a set of basic and fundamental ethical and moral principles” that give canonical guidance for every military service personnel – as a reminder for when they carry out their eventual responsibilities.

As fellow duty bearers, the Commission thanks CJ Gesmundo for his expression of allegiance to civil human rights.

CHR also counts on the “Siklab Laya” class members, that in their life-long mission of honor and integrity, that they remain cognizant of and loyal to people’s rights and fundamental freedoms.

May they serve our nation with the utmost respect to the dignity of every person, regardless of race, color, gender, belief or religion, sexual orientation, language, disability, educational attainment, and social class.