EIGHT years ago, under the Duterte administration, 119 members of the Lower House voted to hamstring the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) by giving it a budget of only P1,000 for 2018.
On June 17, 2025, the Commission kicked off a specialized training program introducing a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to Legislation and Governance at the House of Representatives.
The training aims to build the capacity of the legislative branch to embed human rights principles into policymaking and lawmaking processes.
Perhaps. It may also prevent a repeat of the disgraceful event of September 12, 2017.
The first phase of the training is being held from 17-19 June 2025 at the House of Representatives, with the second phase scheduled for 24–26 June 2025 at the Senate, to ensure a comprehensive and unified application of HRBA in both legislative chambers.
The training will cover how human rights standards and frameworks can guide the formulation, review, and implementation of laws.
Through this initiative, the CHR hopes to highlight the importance of legislation that not only complies with international human rights obligations but likewise promotes dignity, equality, and participation, particularly for the vulnerable and marginalized.
The CHR remains hopeful that support from the legislative branch—particularly the Senate—will help solidify its role as the nation’s watchdog, advocate, and educator on human rights.
CHR Chairperson Richard P. Palpal-latoc emphasized the training’s significance in promoting a human rights-based approach to legislation and governance.
“By integrating human rights norms and standards into our legislative processes, we ensure that the principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination, transparency, human dignity, empowerment, and the rule of law—or what we call the PANTHER principles—are not mere ideals on paper, but lived realities for every Filipino,” he said.
In his keynote address, Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chairperson of the House Committee on Human Rights, underscored the essential role of human rights in governance and lawmaking.
“Let us institutionalize participation so that those most affected by our laws have a seat at the table. Let us demand accountability so that power is never unchecked. Let us reject discrimination in all its forms. Let us uphold transparency, because democracy dies in darkness. Let us affirm human dignity, because each life is sacred,” the lawmaker said.
