I'm a taxpayer; CHR deserves my money!
The House of Representatives is clearly anti-human rights led by the speaker himself, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. If not the enemy of human rights, then this simply confirms the legislature's (I still have high hopes for the senate though) deliberate attempt to cover up the human rights violations that the government or its agencies is guilty of
Voting 119-32 in favor of granting only PhP1,000 of the PhP678 Million budget requested by the Department of Budget and Management for the commission for 2018, the lower house virtually paralyzes if not abolishes the constitutionally created commission. This is an insult to the spirit of the constitution, a mockery to the sacrifices of our forebears who labored and died restoring democracy in the Philippines. They have died in vain.
Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, Section 17 (1) clearly states that: "There is hereby created an independent office called the Commission on Human Rights." Towards this end, the commission endeavors to "seek truth in human rights issues, as conscience of government and the people. Meanwhile, as a beacon of truth, it will make people aware of their rights, and guide government and society towards actions that respect all rights of all, particularly those who cannot defend themselves – the disadvantaged, marginalized, and vulnerable." (CHR Mission Statement)
This 1,000-peso budget is tantamount to the abrogation of a constitutional body. It is in effect a contravention of the supreme law of the land. It negates the principle of check and balance in the government. This act is unconstitutional!
In an interview, Speaker Alvarez justified the budget saying, "If they [CHR] want to protect criminal rights, they should get their budget from criminals. What is their mandate in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines? Protect everyone's human rights, not just watch over the police and government for abuses."
It is only from a narrow mind that concludes hastily saying that the CHR does nothing else but nitpick on government's excesses. This reflects the speaker's very limited and skewed understanding of human rights and the nuances surrounding the duty-bearer and claim-holder relationship where the former has primarily the threefold obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the fundamental freedoms and liberties of the latter. The word, PRIMARY needs to be underscored for emphasis.
The speaker himself needs a basic human rights orientation or better yet, an idiot's guide to human rights. Indeed, a seat in congress does not guarantee wisdom and prudence. Sometimes, its just because of sheer patronage politics embedded in a cacique mentality and reinforced by an elitist upbringing.
In Section 18 (1), the Constitution articulates that the CHR shall investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights. But this is not the only function of the commission. Paragraph (7) is of equal weight when the commission is mandated by the constitution to monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights (1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIII).
The CHR serves all persons in the Philippines, as well as Filipino nationals abroad. It provides services to both rights-holders, or the vulnerable sectors who are the Commission's primary clients, as well as to the duty-bearers, or the police, military, and the other personas in authority. The accusation thereofore of Speaker Alvarez is baseless and is founded on his hallucinations being haunted by thousands of souls crying for justice.
The Commission also works to build and strengthen the capacities of duty-bearers including, but not limited to, frontline service providers; decision and policy makers, and actors in the security sector and justice system. It works in partnership with all national government agencies, independent constitutional commissions, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, educational institutions, and civil society groups. The CHR engages with the local and international communities for the protection and promotion of human rights.
The CHR works for my rights. It functions for the protection of my freedoms. It honors the dignity I have as a human being. As a taxpayer, I demand that my CHR be given a reasonable budget to be able to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
The Senate must rise higher than the House of Representatives. It must not fall into the trap of the Dutertard vs Yellowtard narratives but must ensure that the human rights of the people they represent continue to be respected, protected and fulfilled by allocating sufficient and reasonable budget to CHR. I fear that if CHR cannot function, I will be vulnerable to the abuses of the state or any of its agents.
I am a taxpayer. The CHR deserves my money more than those who sit in the House of RepresentaTHIEVES!
(Photo from CNN Philippines)
