CHR backs proposed New Public Assembly Act

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has backed a proposed law seeking to strengthen the right of the public to assemble and free expression.

In a position paper dated Aug. 13 but only released on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the CHR said that House Bill No. 6297 would “enhance the free exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and petition the government for a redress of grievances by establishing a positive presumption in favor of peaceful assembly.”

Aside from this, the proposed measure, CHR added, also “provides for a mechanism to ensure a plan to conduct a public assemble shall not be injurious to the community or the society.”

The House committee on people’s participation approved the bill, filed by Bayan Muna lawmakers Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, and Eufemia Cullamat, back in August.

This bill seeks to repeal Batas Pambansa Bilang 880 or “The Public Assembly Act of 1985.”

The commission, meanwhile, also gave recommendations for the proposed measure.

One of the recommendations the CHR made was there should be a “clearer reason” for the exception of assemblies for religious purposes.

Under the bill, there is an exception from coverage the assemblies for religious purposes, picketing, and other actions such as strikes by workers and political meetings of rallies allowed and held during an election campaign period.

The CHR also recommended to include a provision in the bill for the “automatic designation or establishment” of Freedom Parks.

According to the CHR, certain cities or municipalities continue to fail to establish Freedom Parks.

“It may be provided that unless a different Freedom Park is established or designated by the local chief executive, the quadrangle in front of a city or municipal halls or building or the city or municipal plaza or park within their areas of jurisdiction shall be automatically designated as Freedom Parks where peaceful assemblies can be freely held even without notice,” CHR said. [ac]