THE
COMMISSION
ON
HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBMITTED TO: Sir Aljun Dela Peña
SUBMITTED BY:
Frediemar D. Ramel
Jerwin Agamata
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent National Human
Rights Institution (NHRI) created under the 1987 Philippine Constitution,
established on 05 May 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 163.
The Commission is mandated to conduct investigations on human rights violations
against marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society, involving civil and
political rights.
CHR is an “A” accredited NHRI, fully complying with the Paris Principles adopted
by the United Nations General Assembly in 1995. As an NHRI, the Commission
upholds six fundamental characteristics — independence, pluralism, broad
mandate, transparency, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
The Commission commits to deliver prompt, responsive, accessible, and excellent
public service for the protection and promotion of human rights in accordance with
universal human rights principles and standards.
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FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Under Section 18, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, the Commission on
Human Rights shall have the following powers and functions:
Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human
rights violations involving civil and political rights;
Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for
contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;
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 measures and legal aid services to the under-
privileged whose human rights have been violated or need protection;
Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to
enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to
provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their
families;
Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty
obligation on human rights;
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;
Request the Assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the
performance of its functions;
A its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
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THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
(a) The Commission on Human Rights shall be composed of a Chairman and
four Members who must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at
the time of their appointment, at least thirty five years of age and must not
have been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately
preceding their appointment. However, a majority thereof shall be members
of the Philippine Bar.
(b) The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on Human Rights shall
not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. Neither shall
they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active management or
control of any business which in any way be affected by the functions of
their office, nor shall be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any
contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the government,
any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-
owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
(c) The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on Human Rights shall
be appointed by the President for a term of seven years without
reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired
term of the predecessor.
(d) The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on Human Rights shall
receive the same salary as the Chairman and Members, respectively, of the
Constitutional Commissions, which shall not be decreased during their term
of office.
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ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF
THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
