COMMISSION

ON HUMAN
RIGHTS
REPUBLIC OF
THE PHILIPPINES
CHR: Dignity of all

VISION A just and humane Philippine society of
persons equal in opportunity, living a life
: of dignity, and forever vigilant against
abuses and oppression.
MISSION As conscience of government and the people, we seek truth
in human rights issues. As beacon of truth, we make people
: aware of their rights, and guide government and society
towards actions that respect the rights of all, particularly
those who cannot defend themselves—the disadvantaged,
marginalized, and vulnerable.
When a police or
a soldier kills, it’s
human rights
(violation); but
when a police or
a soldier is killed,
it’s just alright.
 Police Taxation Eminent Domain

EXECUTIVE JUDICIARY LEGISLATIVE

DILG PDEA DOJ/ NBI DND ❑ AFP

❑ CAFGU
❑ CVO
❑ PNP ❑ ETC..
❑ BJMP

Agents of
Agents of the State
the State Presumption of innocence
Miranda Doctrine
Police Operations Procedure
Rule of law
Rules of Engagement

“Don’t put the law into your hands” “Don’t be the law enforcer, prosecutor and a
judge at the same time.”
Who oversees the
fulfillment and
protection of human
rights in the
Philippines?
 The Commission originated from the
Presidential Committee on Human
Rights established in 1986 by Pres.
Corazon Aquino, which was chaired by
former Sen. Jose Diokno and former
Supreme Court Associate Justice J.B.L.
Reyes.
A separate
Commission on
Human Rights was
established upon the
promulgation of the
1987 Constitution
and was created with
the issuance of its
legislative charter,
Executive Order No.
163.
CREATED BY VIRTUE OF THE

1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

There is hereby created an independent office called the Commission
on Human Rights.(Art. XIII, Sec.17)

The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees
full respect for human rights. (Art. II, Sec. 11)

CHR: Dignity of all

WHO WE ARE
▪ An independent national human rights
institution

▪ Established as a response to the grave

human rights abuses experienced by Filipino
people during the martial law rule

CHR: Dignity of all

WHO WE SERVE
▪ All persons within the Philippines and Filipinos abroad
▪ Both rights-holders and duty-bearers
▪ All rights-holders with a special focus on the disadvantaged,
marginalized and vulnerable groups including but not limited to
children, women and girls, persons deprived of liberty, indigenous
peoples, workers, including migrant workers, workers in the formal and
informal economy, displaced persons, persons living in poverty,
persons with disability/ies, older persons, persons of diverse sexual
orientation and gender identity (SOGIE)
▪ Victims of human rights violations, their families as well as those
witnesses whose testimony is vital in the investigation and prosecution
of human rights violations

CHR: Dignity of all

 The Members of the
CHR 5th Commission En-Banc
(with the term of 7 years)

Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon

Chairperson Karen Gomez Dumpit
Gwendolyn LL. Pimentel-Gana
Commissioner
Commissioner

Roberto Eugenio Cadiz Leah Tanodra Armamento

Commissioner Commissioner
 COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
15 REGIONAL OFFICES
CAR
Baguio City

REGION II
Tuguegarao, Cagayan
REGION I
San Fernando,
La Union
CENTRAL OFFICE/
NATONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR)
REGION III Quezon City
San Fernando,
Pampanga

REGION V
REGION IV Legaspi City
San Pablo City,
Laguna
REGION VIII
Tacloban City
REGION VI
Iloilo City
CARAGA
Butuan City
REGON VII
Cebu City REGION X
Cagayan de Oro City
REGON IX
Zamboanga City
REGION XI
REGION XII Davao City
Koronadal City
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

investigation

Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human

rights violations involving civil and political rights;
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

visitorial powers

Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities

 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

research,
education and
information

Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to

enhance respect for the primacy of human rights
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

recommend

Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights

and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights,
or their families
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

monitor

Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international treaty

on human rights
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

legal services

Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all
persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and
provide for preventive measure and legal aid services to the
underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

grant immunity

Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose

possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to
determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its
authority
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

request assistance

Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the

performance of its functions
 POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF CHR

Others:
Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of
procedure, and cite contempt for violations thereof in
accordance with the Rules of Court;

Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with

law

Perform such other duties and functions as may be

provided by law
 POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS OF CHR
• investigation
• visitorial powers
• research, education and information
• recommend
• monitor
• legal services
• grant immunity

POWER TO

PROSECUTE ?
 NATIONAL LAWS GIVING SPECIFIC
MANDATES TO THE CHR

RA 9344 Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006

• Sec. 8 states CHR as member of Juvenile Justice Council and cites the roles and
responsibilities of the Child Rights Center

RA 9745 Anti-Torture Act of 2009

• Sec. 11 directs CHR and PAO to provide legal assistance in the investigation and
monitoring and/or filing of complaint

RA 9851 International Humanitarian Law of 2009

• Sec. 18 provides that CHR, DOJ, PNP or other concerned agencies shall designate
prosecutors or investigators as the case may be

CHR: Dignity of all

 NATIONAL LAWS GIVING SPECIFIC
MANDATES TO THE CHR

RA 9710 Magna Carta of Women

• Sec. 40 designates the CHR as Gender and Development Ombud

RA 10353 Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law of 2012

• Sec. 13 provides CHR with authority to conduct regular, independent,
unannounced, and unrestricted visits or inspection to places of detention
Sec. 7, 25, 27 and 28 mentions other tasks of CHR

HR Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of

RA 10368 2013
• Establishes the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board as attached agency but
not under CHR
CHR chairs Human Rights Victims’ Memorial Commission

CHR: Dignity of all

Bakit kailangan
mayroong CHR?
 The STATE thru its
government
possesses and holds
POWERS, AUTHORITY
and RESOURCES.
Thank you!