, 
,# 
'r 
I
.
 
. ,. . . , ,.I. 
~ 
' 3  
, 
.... &;iA 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
Second Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
1 
R 
r a  -9 i*2 :I 1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December. 
The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly's adoption 
and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
(UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights. 
The essence of the concept of human rights is that every individual has certain 
inalienable and legally enforceable rights protecting him or her against state interference 
and the abuse of power of governments.' They specify the minimum conditions for 
human dignity and a tolerable life. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings. 
We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination? 
Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms 
of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of 
international law. 
The Philippines is a charter member of the United Nations and a signatory to most 
of the human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 
(ICESCR). 
' P. Malanczuk, Akehurst's Modem Introduction to International Law, seventh edition 
http://www.ohchr.org/ENiIssues/Pages/WhatareHuma~i~hts.aspx 
UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, 
1 


The Universal Declarations of Human Rights in Articles 1 and 3 state: 
Article I. 
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are 
endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a 
spirit of brotherhood. 
Article 3. 
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. 
These are values which we, as a people, share. Our Constitution resonates with 
the same ideals. The 1987 Constitution, Articles 2 Sec. 11 reads: 
Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person 
and guarantees full respect for human rights. 
An essential element in the protection of human rights is a widespread knowledge 
and understanding among people of what their rights are and how they can be defended. 
Following the adoption and proclamation of the UDHR, the UN General Assembly called 
upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be 
disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational 
institutions.. ." 
This Act which aims to create a special working holiday to increase public 
awareness of the concept of human rights, ensure meaningful observance of the same, 
and encourage participation in activities that are to be spearheaded by the Commission on 
Human Rights and the various government offices concerned. 
2 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
DECLARING DECEMBER TEN OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING 
HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Human Rights Day 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the state to promote, 
protect and fulfill the human rights of all its citizens. An essential element in the 
protection of human rights is a widespread knowledge and understanding among people 
of what their rights are and how they can be defended. 
SECTION 3. Special Working Holiday. - In recognition of the need to establish a 
comprehensive national consciousness of human rights, the tenth day of December is 
hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as “Human Rights Day”. 
SECTION 4. Activities that shall he undertaken in observance of this occasion. - 
(a) Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and 
controlled corporations, local government units and employers in the private sector shall, 
together with their employees, organize, engage or participate in activities designed to 
raise public awareness on human rights and human rights violations. 
(b) The Philippine Information Agency shall be mandated to allocate a minimum 
of one (1) hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public awareness of human 
rights. Relative thereto, all Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-affiliated 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
television and radio networks nationwide are encouraged to allocate airtime for said 
programs. 
(c) Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Education, and the 
Commission on Higher Education, in coordination with nongovernmental organizations 
(NGOs) and advocating for human rights, shall lead public and private school 
communities at all levels in organizing consciousness-raising activities on human rights. 
They shall translate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into Filipino, and 
cause copies of it, in both English and Filipino, to be disseminated, displayed, read and 
expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions. 
SECTION 5. Rules. - The Commission on Human Rights shall, within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out and 
enforce the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Commission 
on Human Rights. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate 
item. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not othenvise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take efkct fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lacs 
2