Statement of Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the Anniversary of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

Today marks the 31st year of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the most maligned and ridiculed government institution at the instigation of no less than President Duterte himself since the very beginning of his term almost two years ago.

On this day, let us strongly remind Duterte that it was the mother law of the land that mandated the creation of this office, and that among the State Policies found in Art. 2 is: "The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights." The framers of the 1987 Constitution ensured that this would not just remain on paper, by tasking the State to establish the CHR under Art. 13, Secs. 17-19. Pero bakit po mismong ang pinuno ngayon ng ating gobyerno ang lumalabag sa probisyong ito ng ating Saligang Batas? At hindi lamang po binabale-wala ang CHR kundi may aktibong kampanya at tuloy-tuloy na atake ang administrasyong ito upang gawing inutil ang CHR sa paggampan ng tungkulin nito.

Ilang taon din po akong namuno at kumilos sa loob ng institusyong ito kaya masakit sa kalooban ko ang nangyayari. Hindi ba't dito rin nag-ugat ang galit sa akin ni Duterte dahil mayor pa lang sya ay inimbestigahan ko na ang mga extra-judicial killings sa Davao.

During my stint with CHR, I had a first-hand experience of its importance as a redress mechanism and as a refuge, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized among our citizens when their rights are threatened and violated.

Personal ko pong narinig at nasaksihan ang hinaing ng mga urban poor na kahit walang maayos na konsultasyon at sapat na relokasyon ay basta na lang dine-demolish ang kanilang mga barung-barong. Pumunta rin po ako sa mga kapatid nating katutubo na sa kabila ng panunuhol, pananakot at karahasan ng mga mining companies, ay buong tapang na pinagtanggol ang kalikasan, ang kanilang kabuhayan at lupaing ninuno.

Yes, that was how I internalized the value of human rights, the very concepts that Duterte abhors so much that he and his minions have plunged our country into the worst human rights crisis, as Human Rights Watch (HRW) puts it, since Marcos' regime.

Still, I am not disheartened, because the CHR of today, despite the intimidation and pressure from Malacañang, remains defiant and active working towards full respect, promotion and fulfilment of our rights. Personally, I am proud that it did not flinch nor was silenced when Duterte allies in Congress threatened to give CHR a zero budget.

To the CHR officials and personnel, I commend you for continuing to hold the line for human rights. We may be in a dark time now but I know that this country and the global community will never run out of brave and compassionate people that despite overwhelming odds will never falter in the fight for human dignity and freedoms.

Tuloy po ang laban para sa dignidad at karapatan ng bawat isa!