Senator Robin Padilla has filed a bill that will effectively expand the structural, organizational, and functional independence of the Commission on Human Rights.
On Wednesday, Padilla pushed for Senate Bill 2440 that will guarantee full fiscal autonomy to the CHR "to ensure the prompt, immediate, and unrestricted discharge of its functions."
"Regarded as a toothless tiger, the commission has endured its limitations in rightfully carrying out its mandate within its jurisdiction," Padilla said.
He emphasized the need to further strengthen the CHR's mandate, powers, and functions that are imperative to its "cardinal role in cultivating a human rights culture in the country."
"A just and democratic country cannot be attained without a truly independent national human rights institution," he said.
"Today, more than ever, we need a more active CHR, one that is not strapped to the task of investigation or cannot recognize violations of human rights other than those involving civil and political rights."
SB 2440 provides the CHR with full authority to act on a complaint or motu proprio, in all cases of human rights violations; and vests it with the power to issue injunctive reliefs and legal measures.
Padilla said the CHR's independence "shall be respected and upheld, even as appropriations for it shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and regularly released."
"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 said.
The measure will make the CHR a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) and other United Nations resolutions and instruments.
Padilla said SB 2440 will allow the CHR to provide safety to witnesses and human rights defenders under threat as well as to implement and manage a witness protection service.
Further, the CHR shall develop and implement a human rights information campaign program for the public; and 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.
The CHR will be tasked to maintain a legal assistance program for underprivileged victims of human rights violations and prepare and make public an annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities.
It shall also undertake measures for the protection and promotion of the human rights of Filipinos abroad, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, and deputized Philippine embassy or consulate officers.