Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid is pushing to strengthen and expand the structural, operational, and functional independence of the Commission on Human Rights to better serve Filipinos experiencing human rights violations.

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

SB 2478 proposed that appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and regularly released. 

"The bill defines the general powers and functions of the Commission and grants it with 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. 

The existing law, under the 1987 Constitution, provides for the creation of CHR as an independent body, mandated to ensure the protection and promotion of 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.

However, Lapid lamented that in its 36 years of existence, the CHR is limited 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."

Lapid further stressed that the country "needs a CHR that is truly independent and 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. 

"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," he added. 

Once SB 2487 is enacted, the CHR can now provide safety to witnesses and human rights defenders under threat, and implement and manage a witness protection service.

The proposed measure mandated the CHR to "develop and implement a human rights information campaign program" for the public, as well as to establish a Human Rights Institute for the promotion and education of human rights and related fields.

The HRI shall serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, lawyers, and other human rights workers.

As the CHR is mandated to render legal assistance to the underprivileged victims of human rights violations, and prepare and make public an annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities.

The bill will further give the CHR the power to "grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority."

The CHR, under its investigative function, can compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, to place the witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, and take testimony in any investigation or inquiry conducted by the Commission or any of its offices. 

It can also cite for contempt of any person for violating the Commission's Rules of Procedures and lawful orders. 

"The proposed charter for the CHR is a significant step towards reinforcing the protection of human rights in the Philippines, aligning with the global commitment to fostering a world where the dignity and rights of every individual are upheld," Lapid said.