1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3934 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING 
___________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT  
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS A NATIONAL 
HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIII, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution officially established the 
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as the institution mandated to independently investigate 
human rights violations. The Constitution and Executive Order No. 163, signed under Former 
President Corazon Aquino, established the Commission’s responsibilities and powers.  
Under the Constitution and EO No. 163, the CHR has the power to: 
1. Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt
for violations thereof;
2. 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;
3. Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
4. Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to
enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
5. Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to
provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their
families;
6. Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international treaty
obligations on human rights;
7. 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;
August 20, 2025
5:58 pm


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8. Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the
performance of its functions;
9. Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
10. Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.
Executive Order No. 163 also delineated the guidelines for the CHR’s operation, including the 
specifications for the tenure and qualifications of the Commissioners and Chairpersons.  
Almost four decades after the passage of the 1987 Constitution and EO No. 163, the CHR has 
evolved beyond its functions and responsibilities defined by these documents. These two 
documents fail to meet the international standards set by the “Principles Relating to the Status 
of National Human Rights Institutions,” also known as the “Paris Principles.”1 These 
documents fail to meet the following Paris Principles: 
1. Broad Mandate
a.
The CHR must have the mandate to protect all human rights, including
civil and political rights; and economic, social and cultural rights. The
Constitution only presently provides the CHR with the power to
investigate civil and political rights. A Charter will create a “broad”
mandate to include all rights within the CHR’s jurisdiction.
2. Independence from government, which must be embodied in the
constitution or by law
a.
The Constitution broadly provides the CHR with the mandate to
“independently” investigate human rights violations. However, this
independence must be precisely defined to include “independence in
law,” 2 “independence in leadership,” 3 “independence in operations,” 4
“independence in policies,” 5 and “financial independence,” 6 as advised
by the Paris Principles.
1 Principles relating to the status of National Institutions (the Paris principles) | ohchr, accessed August 20, 
2025, https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/principles-relating-status-national-
institutions-paris. 
2 The independence of an NHRI must be clearly stated by the Constitution or law as this will ensure protection 
of the NHRI 
3 There should be a “clear, transparent and participatory selection and appointment process for NHRI members.” 
The Selection Committee of Chairpersons and Commissioners should be guided by the Paris Principles’ 
requirements of an open, transparent and merit-based process. This process including the conduct of 
consultations with human rights organizations and other relevant stakeholders for the selection must be reflected 
in the rules of procedures on the selection of Chairperson and Members.  
4 NHRI must be able to determine its own priorities, programs, projects and activities without external direction 
5 It must be able to determine its own policies, its findings and its recommendations without external 
interference 
6 The Commission must have the financial independence to implement its own priority programs and projects 


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3. Pluralism to support the representation of diverse voices of the community
a.
The Selection Process of the Chairperson and Members must be
mirrored in the procedure to ensure pluralist representation of the social
forces (of civilian society) involved in the protection and promotion of
human rights. There should also be equitable representation of men and
women among NHRI leadership as well as diversity that reflects the
community, such as ethnicity, religion, culture, language and disability.
4. Adequate Powers to be capable of initiating inquiries and investigations,
gathering the evidence and documents they need, consulting with NGOs
and State institutions and publishing their reports, findings and
recommendations
a.
The United Nations Committee on Civil and Political Rights, Committee
on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination Against Women have all raised concerns
about the lack of defined powers for the CHR under the Constitution and
EO No. 163. 7
5. Adequate resources, so that NHRIs have the funding, staffing,
infrastructure, and institutional capacity to perform their functions and
discharge their responsibilities
a.
The United Nations Committee Against Torture, the Committee on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Committee on the Rights
of the Child observed that the CHR “does not have sufficient human and
financial resources to allow for the full and effective implementation of
its wide-ranging mandate” and were “concerned at the delays in the
adoption of the charter of the Commission on Human Rights.” 8
Without the presence of a dedicated enabling law or Charter Bill, the powers and resources of 
the CHR remain undefined and vulnerable to the effects of politicization. The passage of the 
CHR Charter Bill is both a historic opportunity and a critical necessity to reinforce the 
Commission’s independence, broaden its mandate, guarantee institutional pluralism, establish 
adequate powers, and secure adequate financial, infrastructural, and staffing resources.  
In its 2023 assessment, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) 
graded the Commission of Human Rights with an “A,” the highest status accreditation. This 
grade indicates that the CHR is “fully compliant” with the Paris Principles. However, 
GANHRI, the United Nations Committee on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations 
7 See (CCPR/C/PHL/CO/5, November 2022), (CERD/C/PHL/CO/21-25, April 2023) and (CEDAW/C/PHL/CO/9, 
October 2023) 
8 See (CAT/C/PHL/CO/3, June 2016), ([CESCR] E/C.12/PHL/CO/5-6, October 2016) and (CRC/C/PHL/CO/5-6, 
October 2022) 


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Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the United Nations Committee on 
the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women all raised concerns about the absence of a 
CHR Charter bill. Without the timely passage of the CHR Charter, there is a significant risk 
that the CHR will lose its “A” status accreditation.    
The reality of sweeping human rights protections regardless of socio-economic status and 
identity in the Philippines remains a distant possibility. Without the protection of the country’s 
central human rights guardian, all Filipinos remain vulnerable to human rights violations.  
This bill is a re-filed version of House Bill No. 11523 approved by the House of 
Representatives in the third reading and was transmitted to the Senate on June 11, 2025, in the 
19th Congress.  
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING 
2ND District of Sultan Kudarat 


5 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3934 
Introduced by Representative BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING  
____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS A NATIONAL 
HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SEC. 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Commission on Human Rights 
Charter.” 
SEC. 2. State Policy on Human Rights. – The State values the dignity of every human 
person and guarantees full respect for human rights. It shall give highest priority to the 
enactment of measures that respect, protect and fulfill the right of all people to human 
dignity at all stages of human life. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Human Rights. – Human rights are the supreme, universal, 
inherent, and inalienable rights to life, dignity, and self-development of every person 
regardless of race, sex and gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other 
status. These rights include those guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution, domestic laws, 
and international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human 
Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant 
on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, International Humanitarian Law and all human 
rights instruments to which the Philippines is a State Party. 
SEC. 4. The Commission on Human Rights as an Independent Office.  –  The 
Commission on Human Rights created under the 1987 Constitution, hereinafter referred to 
as the Commission, shall maintain its independence. Except in cases provided in the 
Constitution with regard to the appointment of its Chairperson and Commissioners, 
legislation affecting the exercise of its powers and functions, and judicial review of the 
legality of its acts, orders, resolutions and decisions, the independence of the Commission 
shall always be respected and upheld. 


 
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SEC. 5. Fiscal Autonomy. – The Commission shall enjoy full fiscal autonomy. 
Appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be automatically and 
regularly released. 
SEC. 6. The Commission as a National Human Rights Institution. – The 
Commission is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the Philippines in 
accordance with the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions, hereinafter 
referred to as the Paris Principles, and other United Nations’ (UN) Resolutions and 
Instruments pertaining to the effective functioning of NHRIs. As such, the State and all its 
agents shall ensure and respect the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles. 
SEC. 7. The Commission En Banc as a Collegial Body. – The Commission en banc, 
as a collegial body, is responsible for the promulgation of policies, decisions, orders, and 
resolutions necessary for the efficient administration of the Commission and for proper 
execution of its constitutional mandate. Every policy, decision, order, or resolution of the 
Commission must bear the concurrence and signature of a majority of the Members. 
In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Commission shall sit and render its 
decision en banc, unless otherwise provided in an internal resolution, adopted by the 
Commission en banc. The Commission en banc shall meet regularly. A majority of the 
Members shall constitute a quorum. 
SEC. 8. Composition and Qualifications of the Members of the Commission. – The 
Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) Members who shall possess 
the following qualifications: 
(a) Natural-born citizens of the Philippines; 
(b) At least thirty-five years of age at the time of appointment, with proven probity, 
integrity, and competence; 
(c) Must have an understanding of human rights protection, promotion and advocacy; 
(d) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral 
turpitude; and 
(e) Must not have been candidates for any elective position in any national or local 
elections, whether as regular candidates or as party-list nominees, immediately 
preceding their appointment. 
A majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar, who have been engaged in 
the practice of law for at least five (5) years. The composition must observe gender-balance 
and pluralist representation, which shall be in accordance with the Paris Principles. 
In furtherance of the role of the Commission as the country’s Ombudsman for Children, 
at least one (1) Member, who has expertise or has extensive competency and experience on 
child rights protection and promotion, must be appointed. 
SEC. 9. Appointment and Term of Office. – The Chairperson and Members of the 
Commission shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of seven (7) 
years without reappointment. 


 
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Of those first appointed under the enactment of this Charter, the Chairperson shall hold 
office for seven (7) years, two Members for six (6) years and the other two Members for 
five (5) years. The term of the Chairperson and Members shall start on the day immediately 
after the end of the previous one, regardless of the date of appointment. In no case shall any 
Chairperson or Member be appointed, reappointed, or designated in a temporary, part-time, 
or acting capacity. Appointment to any vacancy occurring during the term shall be only for 
the unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. 
Any vacancy in the offices of the Chairperson and of the Members of the Commission 
shall be filled within ninety (90) days from its occurrence. However, the incumbent 
Chairperson or Member shall hold the position until such time the appointment was made 
by the President for the same position. 
SEC. 10. Selection Process for the Chairperson and Members of the Commission. 
– The incumbent Chairperson and the Members of the Commission shall act as the Selection 
Committee for the appointment of the new Chairperson and four (4) Members of the 
Commission. 
The Selection Committee shall convene immediately, as soon as vacancy exists, or 
when the term of office of the current Members ends within six (6) months, or when an 
impending vacancy occurs. The Committee shall develop and promulgate its own rules of 
procedure for the selection of nominees for the position of Chairperson and Members, in 
accordance with requirements of an open, transparent and merit-based selection process, as 
mandated by the Paris Principles. The conduct of consultations with human rights 
organizations and other relevant stakeholders for the selection of the new members of the 
Commission en banc shall form part of the rules of procedure. 
SEC. 11. Prohibitions and Disqualifications. – The Chairperson and Members of the 
Commission 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 may be affected by the functions of their office, nor shall 
they be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise 
or privilege granted by the Government and its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, 
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. 
They shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. They shall not be 
allowed to appear or practice before the Commission within one (1) year following the 
completion of their term of office, resignation, or any other manner of separation from 
office. 
No spouse, common-law partner, or relative by consanguinity or affinity within the 
fourth civil degree, or business or professional partner of the Chairperson or Members, may 
transact business directly or indirectly with the Chairperson or its Members, or appear as 
counsel or agent of a party in any matter pending before the Commission. 
These prohibitions and disqualifications shall apply during the tenure of the official 
concerned and one (1) year thereafter. 
    
SEC. 12. Disclosure of Relationship. – It shall be the duty of the Chairperson and 
Members of the Commission to disclose under oath to the best of their knowledge the 
identities of, and relationship with the persons referred to in the preceding section. The 


 
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disclosure, which shall be in writing, shall be filed in the Office of the Ombudsman after the 
appointee assumes office and every year thereafter. The disclosures made pursuant to this 
Section shall form part of the records and shall be made available and accessible to the 
public. 
SEC. 13. Salary, Retirement, and Other Privileges of the Chairperson and 
Members of the Commission. – The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall 
receive the same salary, retirement, privileges, and benefits as those received by the 
Chairperson and Commissioners of the Constitutional Commissions, and their salaries shall 
not be decreased during their terms of office. 
Upon the death of a retired Chairperson or Member, the surviving legitimate spouse 
and dependent children shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis, all the retirement 
benefits being received by the deceased Chairperson or Member from the time of death, 
under the provisions of applicable retirement laws. “Dependent children,” as used in this 
section, refers to a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child who is chiefly dependent 
on the said deceased Chairperson or Member of the Commission, if such dependent child is 
not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed, or if 
such dependent child, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support because of any mental 
or physical defect or condition. The surviving legitimate spouse shall continue to receive 
such retirement benefits until the spouse remarries. 
    
SEC. 14. Structural Organization. – The Commission shall prepare and formulate the 
organizational structure and staffing pattern, for submission to the Department of Budget 
and Management for its review and evaluation, in accordance with the civil service laws, 
rules and regulations and other pertinent laws. 
SEC. 15. Privileges and Emoluments of the Members of the Commission En Banc. 
– All members of the Commission en banc shall receive the same emoluments and privileges 
of those given to their counterparts in Constitutional Commissions. 
SEC. 16. Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The Commission shall 
promote and protect all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and 
cultural rights, and shall have the following general powers and functions: 
(a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of violations of 
human rights, whether committed by State or non-state actors; 
(b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for contempt any 
person for violations thereof or its lawful orders, and for this purpose, the Rules of 
Court shall have suppletory application; 
(c) Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures to victims of human rights 
violations, which may include, among others: 
         (1) Legal assistance and counseling to victims; 
(2) Directives to concerned government agencies to give appropriate protection 
to victims; 
         (3) Cease and desist orders; 


 
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(4) Petition for writ of habeas corpus, writ of amparo, writ of habeas data, writ 
of kalikasan, and any other protective writs; and 
(5) Continuing mandamus for the protection of human rights of all persons 
within the Philippines. 
(d) Provide legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have been 
violated or need protection. Clients who need legal assistance and representation may 
also be referred to the Public Attorney's Office or Legal Aid Offices, as may be 
necessary and appropriate; 
(e) Exercise unannounced, unhampered, unrestricted visits over jails, prisons, camps, 
custodial or detention facilities, places of confinement, safe houses, and similar places 
of deprivation of liberty; 
(f)  Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance 
respect for the primacy of human rights. The Commission shall coordinate with the 
Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), 
Philippine Judicial Academy, Legal Education Board, and other state universities and 
colleges to ensure these objectives; 
(g) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote and protect human rights; 
(h) Recommend effective measures to provide for compensation to victims of violations 
of human rights, or their families; 
(i)  Monitor Philippine government compliance with international treaty obligations on 
human rights; 
(j)  Report to international human rights mechanisms on all aspects relating to 
government's compliance to its treaty obligations; 
(k) 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; 
(l) Request the assistance of any government department, bureau, office, or agency in 
the performance of its functions; 
(m) Call on government departments, bureaus, offices or agencies to comply with their 
obligations under the international human rights obligations; 
(n) Perform its Gender and Child Ombud roles, and ensure that the status, rights, and 
interests of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors, are upheld in accordance with the 
Constitution, laws, and international instruments on human rights; 
(o) Issue human rights advisories, positions papers and legal opinion on all matters 
affecting the human rights of all persons, directed to concerned agencies of government 
for their consideration and implementation; 
(p) Issue human rights clearances and certificates of no pending human rights case; 
(q) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and 


 
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(r)  Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. 
SEC. 17. Investigative Powers and Functions. – The Commission shall investigate, 
on complaint or on its own, cases of human rights violations. In the exercise of its 
investigative function, the Commission shall: 
(a)   Act promptly on reports or complaints, filed in any form, by any individual or 
organization. 
Findings 
of 
human 
rights 
violations 
shall 
include 
recommendations for appropriate remedies, and referral to proper government 
agencies for the filing of administrative, criminal, or civil actions. The 
recommendations may include proposals for legislative, administrative, or 
judicial reforms. The investigation and other proceedings conducted by any 
administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial bodies shall not bar the investigation 
of the Commission on allegations of human rights violations, and findings by 
the Commission must be given weight; 
 
(b)   Investigate alleged violations of human rights, international humanitarian law, 
and anti-terrorism law, as provided in pertinent laws; 
  
(c)   Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, to place 
the witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, take testimony in any 
investigation or inquiry conducted by the Commission or any of its offices, and 
cite for contempt any person who violates the Commission’s Rules of 
Procedure and lawful orders. In matters concerning contempt, the Rules of 
Court shall apply suppletory to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission; 
  
(d)   Conduct forensic and medical sciences in making findings of human rights 
violations, such as collection of physical evidence from locations relevant to its 
investigation, assessment of victims who are survivors of human rights 
violations to determine their physical and mental well-being, among others; 
conducting an independent examination of the remains of alleged victims to 
document any injury, and to determine cause and manner of death. Pursuant 
thereto, the Commission shall have the authority to exhume and conduct 
autopsy on the human remains, subject to the consent of the family of the 
deceased, if applicable; 
  
(e)   Provide psychosocial support to victims of human rights violations as well as 
human rights defenders under threat, such as referral to primary health care 
centers with existing mental health programs; 
  
(f) Ensure compensation for victims of human rights violations or their families, 
which are appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and 
circumstances of each case, that may result from gross violations of 
international human rights law, and serious violations of international 
humanitarian law; 
  
(g)   Provide safety to witnesses, as well as human rights defenders under threat. For 
this purpose, the Commission shall implement and manage a Witness 


 
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Protection Service, which will provide security, shelter, relocation, and 
livelihood assistance to witnesses and their families, until such time the threat 
ceases, or when the case can be endorsed to the Department of Justice and the 
witness, or person under threat, qualifies for protection service, under Republic 
Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness Protection, Security and 
Benefit Act”; 
  
(h)   Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony, possession 
of documents, or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the 
truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority; and 
  
(i) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental for 
the effective exercise or conduct of its investigative powers. 
 
SEC. 18. Visitorial Powers. – The Commission, or its duly authorized representatives, 
are hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular, independent, unannounced, 
unhampered, and unrestricted visits to or inspection of all places of detention and 
confinement. 
Places of deprivation of liberty refer to any place of detention, imprisonment, 
confinement, or the placement of a person in a public or private custodial or rehabilitative 
setting under the jurisdiction and control of the Philippines, where persons are or may be 
deprived of their liberty by virtue of an order given by a public authority, at one’s instigation, 
or with one’s consent or acquiescence. 
    
SEC. 19. Quasi-judicial Powers. – Pursuant to Art. XIII, Sec. 18 (11) and Sec. 19 of 
the Constitution, and in addition to its investigatory powers and functions, the Commission 
is hereby vested with the powers to decide the existence of violation of civil, political, 
economic, social and cultural rights, determine and award monetary compensation to 
victims of said violations. 
For this purpose, the Commission shall identify and define each human rights violation 
and recommend appropriate charges against the perpetrators. The Commission shall also 
determine the amount of monetary compensation to be awarded to the victim, or in case of 
death, to the spouse, or children, or next of kin, in that order. 
    
SEC. 20. Scope of Legal Measures. – In order to strengthen the exercise of its 
investigatory power, the Commission, including its regional and provincial offices, may 
issue the following legal measures and provisional remedies: 
(a) Mandatory Protection Orders which direct government security forces, other 
    
government agencies, and private institutions to provide specific protection to victims 
and         
witnesses to human rights violations; 
 
(b) Petitions for the protection of the rights of persons, such as: 
(1) Temporary liberty for medical examination, particularly for sick or pregnant 
persons deprived of liberty; and 


 
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(2) Petitions for certiorari, mandamus, or declaratory relief, and such other legal 
remedies to correct any government actions that encroach or threaten to violate 
human rights; 
(c) Other remedies for the protection of the rights of children: 
(1) Actions for protective custody of victims who are minors; 
(2) Petitions for involuntary commitment, in coordination with the concerned social 
work and development office; and 
(3) Petitions, motions, or pleadings to correct an error in the commitment, detention 
taking of custody of children in conflict with the law; 
(d) Mediation between parties on issues that are and can be subject of settlement. 
SEC. 21. Referral to Disciplining Authority. – The Commission may direct the 
disciplining authority to take appropriate action against a public officer or employee found 
guilty of committing violations of human rights, recommend to the disciplining authority 
the removal, suspension, demotion, censure, imposition of fine, or prosecution and ensure 
compliance of its recommendation by requiring the disciplining authority concerned to 
report on the action taken thereon within thirty (30) days from receipt of such 
recommendation. The  
failure of the appropriate authority to act or comply with said 
recommendation shall constitute ground for application of the issuance of a writ of 
mandamus by the Commission. 
For this purpose, every case in which the Commission has rendered a resolution or 
recommendation adverse to a public official shall be transmitted to the head of the 
department, agency or instrumentality, or of the province, city or municipality concerned 
for immediate action, as may be necessary. 
SEC. 22. Monitoring Functions. – In the exercise of its mandate to monitor the 
Government's compliance with its international human rights obligations, the Commission 
shall: 
(a) Monitor and advise government on its responsibilities and obligations under 
international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a signatory; 
  
(b) Prepare its own independent reports to the UN, human rights treaty bodies, and 
other international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic 
Review and special procedure mechanisms; 
  
(c) Make the appropriate recommendations to the concerned government agencies 
with regard to requests for official visits of Special Procedures’ mandate-
holders and other treaty and charter-based mechanisms; 
  
(d) Recommend ratification of, or accession to international human rights 
instruments, and ensure their implementation; 
  
(e) Conduct inquiries on the Government’s manner of implementation of specific 
human rights obligations; 


 
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(f)  Request the cooperation of any public official on the measures undertaken by 
one’s agency to comply with the State's international human rights obligations; 
  
(g) Coordinate with relevant government agencies in terms of its compliance with 
international human rights obligations; and 
  
(h) Undertake other activities as may be necessary in the conduct of its monitoring 
and reporting functions. 
  
SEC. 23. Other Monitoring Functions. – The Commission shall also monitor 
observance by non-state actors of human rights obligations, arising from international and 
domestic laws or agreements entered into with the government, as well as unilateral 
declarations and similar undertakings. 
Violations of human rights committed by non-state actors that may be the subject of the 
Commission’s monitoring functions shall include, among others: 
(a)   Those committed by rebel groups in relation to international humanitarian law; 
 
 
(b)  Those committed by persons, both natural and juridical, in relation to 
economic, social, and cultural rights, such as labor, environment, and 
demolition of houses; and 
  
(c)   Those committed by individuals in relation to violations of rights and 
protection of marginalized, disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors. 
  
SEC. 24. Human Rights Education, Information and Advocacy. – The Commission 
shall establish a continuing program of education and information to enhance respect for the 
primacy of human rights through its education and promotion office, consistent with the 
Constitution, domestic laws, applicable treaty obligations, and the UN Declaration on 
Human Rights Education and Training. 
The Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Education and Training 
Program for law enforcement officers, education and training institutions, and other 
government agencies in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, DepEd, CHED, 
Legal Education Board, Philippine Judicial Academy, Professional Regulation 
Commission, and all other concerned agencies. 
Likewise, the Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Information 
Campaigns’ Program for civil society and the general public. 
SEC. 25. Establishment of Human Rights Institute. – The Commission shall establish 
a Human Rights Institute (HRI). It is an educational and training institute responsible for 
the promotion, and teaching of human rights education and related fields, with in-house 


 
14 
competencies in these areas of specialization. The HRI shall focus on formal education 
programs and shall offer certificate courses on human rights and related fields. 
SEC. 26. Functions of the Human Rights Institute. – The HRI shall have the following 
functions: 
(a)   Serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, 
lawyers, and other human rights workers in government and civil society 
human rights organizations on human rights and related issues. For this 
purpose, it shall provide and implement curricula on human rights and shall 
conduct seminars, workshops, and other training programs designed to 
develop human rights knowledge, capacities, skills, and attitudes; 
  
(b)  Receive income, legacies and donations for the benefit of the HRI or for its 
support or maintenance, which shall be exempt from the payment of taxes and 
other fees and charges of the government, its branches and subdivisions, and 
which shall constitute a special fund to be administered and disbursed solely 
for the HRI; 
  
(c)   Enter into consortium agreements with other educational and training institutes 
for the development and implementation of its programs on human rights 
education; and 
  
(d)  Advise basic and higher education institutions and regulatory agencies on the 
teaching of human rights and related issues, including recommending effective 
measures to promote human rights. 
  
SEC. 27. Annual Report. – The Commission shall prepare and make public an annual 
report on the findings of its monitoring activities with regard to the status of the 
government’s compliance with its international human rights treaty obligations. The report 
shall include: 
(a)   Recommendations for legal, legislative, and institutional reforms for the 
promotion and protection of human rights; and 
  
(b)  Adoption and implementation by concerned government agencies of the 
recommendations on the protection and promotion of human rights contained 
in the Commission’s policy issuances and resolutions.\ 
  
The Commission shall directly submit its annual report to the Office of the President, 
the Senate and the House of Representatives, for the consideration of the recommendations 
stated in the annual report. 
SEC. 28. Financial Assistance Program. – The Commission may provide financial 
assistance to victims of human rights violations and their families through a Financial 
Assistance Program. 


 
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SEC. 29. Legal Assistance Program. – The Commission shall maintain a Legal 
Assistance Program to benefit underprivileged victims of human rights violations, which 
may be in coordination with human rights organizations, lawyers’ groups, Integrated Bar of 
the Philippines, the Public Attorney’s Office, and Philippine law schools. 
SEC. 30. Protection of Filipinos Abroad. – The Commission shall undertake measures 
for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos living abroad in coordination 
and cooperation with the Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Foreign Affairs, 
Philippine Embassy or Consulate officers, resident private individuals of known probity and 
active involvement in human rights, or foreign-based human rights and migrant workers’ 
non- government organizations in countries where the incidence of human rights violations 
against Filipinos is widespread and commonplace, including traditional host countries of 
overseas Filipino workers. 
The Commission may establish bilateral or multilateral relationships with other national 
human rights institutions for the protection of human rights of Filipinos abroad. 
SEC. 31. Security of Data. – All documentation and information collected by the 
Commission shall be kept strictly confidential, unless the Commission decides otherwise in 
relation to a particular document: Provided, That no sensitive information, whether personal 
or otherwise, shall be published without the express consent of the individual or authority 
concerned: Provided, further, That this provision shall be in accordance with all applicable 
laws, such as Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. 
SEC. 32. Protection from Criminal and Administrative Liability. – Any act made 
pursuant to the functions and powers conferred upon the Commission under this Act and 
other applicable laws, or in respect of any publication by, or under the authority of the 
Commission, of any report, proceeding, or any other matter under this Act, shall not be a 
ground for action, suit or other legal proceeding against any member or staff of the 
Commission. 
Any legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any legal recourse 
that any member, or staff of the Commission has taken, or may take, in the performance of 
their functions, under this Act and other applicable laws, if proven in court to have been 
filed for any of the aforementioned purposes, be immediately dismissed with prejudice and 
the court may award damages, attorney's fees, and costs of suit under a counterclaim if such 
has been filed. 
SEC. 33. Franking Privilege. – The Commission may transmit through ordinary mail 
or registered mail with return card, free of charge, all official communications and papers 
directly connected with the conduct of its duties, functions, or the exercise of administrative 
supervision over its personnel. 
SEC. 34. Financial Report. – The Commission shall make available to the public its 
annual financial statements and related financial reports as required by governing oversight 
agencies. 
SEC. 35. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the Commission. Thereafter, 
such amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


 
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The approved annual appropriations of the Commission shall be automatically and regularly 
released. 
SEC. 36. Transitory Provisions. – Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the positions, 
emoluments, security of tenure, qualifications, privileges, and benefits of the incumbent 
Chairperson and Members of the Commission, and the officers and employees of the 
Commission upon its effectivity. However, officials and employees of the Commission, in 
aid of its reorganization upon the effectivity of this Act, may avail of an early retirement 
program as may be provided for by the Commission. 
SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
approval of this Act, the Commission shall, formulate the rules and regulations in the 
exercise of its powers and functions, in consultation with other concerned government 
agencies and stakeholders. 
SEC. 38. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act or part hereof be 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall remain 
valid and effective. 
SEC. 39. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 40. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
  
Approved,