MANILA, Philippines — The special committee on human rights recently created byPresident Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will beef up initiatives against human rights abuses, the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) said on Tuesday.
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-late, this reflects a whole-of-government approach to the promotion of human rights.
“Through this coordinating body, we aim to see increased prosecution of cases related to the war on drugs and enforced disappearances, as well as the adoption of a comprehensive human rights-based approach in various government responses, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts, addressing red-tagging, and safeguarding freedom of expression,” Palpal-latoc said in a statement.
The CHR’s statement followed Marcos Jr.’s administrative order forming the special body, which was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 8.
“This will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate, enabling us to provide essential legal aid services, establish mechanisms for strategic litigation to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights violations, and advocate for vital legislation such as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM),” CHR Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa added in the same statement.
Earlier, the Palpal-latoc said that the body’s creation willnot be contrary to its mandate, and that it will remain independent.
“While we recognise the establishment of this special committee, the CHR, as the country’s national human rights institution, remains fully independent and committed to the fulfillment of its Constitutional mandate,” CHR said in the same statement.