Commission on Human Rights INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) confidential fund under the proposed 2024 National Expenditure Program should be bigger considering its crucial job to promote and protect the rights of every Filipino, Senator Raffy Tulfo said Wednesday.
“May mga agencies sa gobyerno na hindi naman deserving — hindi na ako magbabanggit – na magkaroon ng confidential fund [pero] meron. [CHR] really needs a confidential fund. One million is not enough,” said Tulfo during the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed budget of CHR next year.
(There are agencies in the government that don’t deserve — I won’t mention them — to have a confidential fund [but] they do. [CHR] really needs a confidential fund. One million is not enough.)
The proposed budget of CHR for 2024 amounts to P976,363,000 Tucked in this allocation is a P1 million confidential fund.
Tulfo pointed out that it is necessary for CHR to receive bigger funding.
“Wala akong nakikitang problema sa budget na [pino-propose]. Like I said, padadagdagan ko ‘yan kay [Senator Jinggoy Estrada]. [Magta]-tandem kaming dalawa [para] maacomplish namin ‘yan,” said Tulfo.
(I don’t see any problem with the [proposed] budget. Like I said, I will urge [Senator Jinggoy Estrada] to increase that. We will team up so we can accomplish that.) Estrada chaired the deliberations held Wednesday.
Tulfo’s remark prompted CHR Executive Director Jacquelie De Guia to appeal for a P4 million increase for the commission’s confidential fund.
According to De Guia, CHR was allotted P5 million in confidential funds in 2018 and 2019.
“Kung maibabalik sa P5M ay malaking bagay talaga ‘yun.”(If it can be returned to P5M, that would really be a big help.)
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc earlier disclosed that the agency’s confidential funds are utilized to investigate human rights violations, support victims, and protect witnesses.
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