Strengthening and expanding the Commission on Human Rights' structural, operational, and functional independence will better safeguard Filipinos' rights amid human rights transgressions.

Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid, in commemoration of International Human Rights Day on Saturday, said he filed Senate Bill 2487, which guarantees CHR's full fiscal autonomy "to ensure prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions."

SB 2487 proposes that appropriations for the Commission shall remain the same and be automatically and regularly released.

"The bill defines the general powers and functions of the Commission and grants it full authority to act on all cases of human rights violations. In addition, it vests the CHR with the power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures," Lapid said in an exploratory note in his bill.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the existing law provides for the creation of CHR as an independent body mandated to protect and promote the human rights of all Filipinos residing within and outside the Philippines.

The CHR was constituted on 5 May 1987 through Executive Order 163, s. 1987, and was previously regarded as the country's National Human Rights Institution.

He lamented that in its 36 years of existence, the CHR is restrained from reaching its full potential and becoming fully compliant with the requirements of the Paris Principles or the "Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions."

He said the country "needs a truly independent CHR with full fiscal autonomy."

"Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or that cannot recognize cases of human rights violations other than those involving civil and political rights," he said.

He added: "We need a CHR that can address the challenge of protecting and promoting the human rights of all, especially the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, and the marginalized sectors of society."