FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 
JlJL 15 A9 :46 
SENATE 
S. NO. 1451 
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Respect for human rights is one of the bedrock principles of our government. We 
have gained international acclaim for re-establishing democracy through various 
peacefLiI means. We provide even now the leadership in the United Nations Human 
Rights Council, a think tank body whose original founders included the Philippines. 
However, the record of human rights violations in the Philippines leaves much to 
be desired. This situation calls for localized observance of human rights. 
This bill 
therefore seeks the creation of Human Rights Resource Centers in all provinces. Each 
Center shall be a repository, monitoring and coordinating body for all human rights 
concerns. Attached to the Office of the Governor, the Centers shall be under the 
guidance of the Commission on Human Rights in coordination with the Office of the 
provincial Prosecutor, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National 
Police. 
The immediate passage of this Bill, is, therefore, respectfully sought. 
1-
JUAN JllWauEL F. ZUBIRI 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
TO STRENGTHEN PHILIPPINE COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION 
AND PROTECTION BY ESTABLISHING HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTERS 
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
Section 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Human Rights 
2 
Resource Center Act of 2010". 
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4 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to 
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promote the dignity of every human person and guaranty full respect for human rights. 
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SECTION 3. The Human Rights Resource Centers. - Human Rights Resource 
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Centers are hereby established throughout the country to integrate the promotion and 
9 
protection of human rights in the implementation of the criminal justice system. in the 
, 
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conduct of local governance and in local law enforcement. These centers shall be the 
I I 
repository of all human rights concerns at the provincial level. 
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The Human Resource Centers shall be attached to the Office of the Governor but 
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the planning, policy-making and implementation shall be done with transparency and 
. 14 
accountability. However, the Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights 
15 
(CHR), the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, the Office of the Provincial Commander 
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of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Office of the Provincial Director of 
17 
the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall collaborate and coordinate in ensuring the 
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effective opel'ation of the HR Resource Centers including, but not limited to, the 
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mobilization of resources and the provision of technical support. 
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At the operational level, the Human Resource Centers shall be headed by a 
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volunteer lawyer from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines with support staff composed 
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of volunteers from students of law schools who are rendering paralegal services as part 


• 
of their curriculum 
requirements, 
people's 
organizations 
and 
non-government 
2 
organizations (POs and NGOs, respectively) with credibility in the locality and 
3 
independent of the local government. 
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SECTION 4. Functions of the Human Resource Centers. - The Human 
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Resource Centers shall have the following functions: 
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(a) Set up a library of international covenants and treaties to which the Philippines is a 
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signatory, has acceded to and/or has ratified; 
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(b) Provide the necessary resource persons, literary and other educational materials to 
, 
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persons· or group of persons who advocate and work for a continuing program of 
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education that enhances respect for the primacy of human rights; 
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(c) Monitor compliance with international treaty obligations and national legislation on 
13 
human rights for the purpose of ensuring the proper enforcement of laws and 
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observance of international obligations at the local level; 
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(d) Coordinate with various government agencies involved in the promotion and 
. 
. 
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protection of various aspects of human rights, as well as with the Presidential 
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Committee on Human Rights; 
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(e) Coordinate with barangay, municipal, city and provincial human rights officers, desks 
19 
or committees, as the case may be, and with the Regional Office of the CHR on 
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issues arising from violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of 
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the people, particularly those of women and children, for purposes of referring or 
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endorsing the same through an appropriate mechanism to the proper government 
23 
agencies for appropriate action and immediate resolution; 
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(f) Take an active part in efforts aimed at promoting peace and development in the area 
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and serve as the convergence point for these efforts at the local level; 
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(g) Recommend the enactment of necessary local legislation that will protect and 
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promote human rights in the province; and 
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(h) Participate in the development, planning and budgeting process of the local 
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government unit concerned using the principles of rights-based development 
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wherein development plans for the locality come from the citizens who are targeted 
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to be the direct beneficiaries of the plans rather than the government imposing the 
32 
plans on the citizens. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The CHR, in consultation, 
3S 
coordination ,and collaboration with the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, the 
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AFP, the PNP, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and human rights NGOs and POs 
, 
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duly recognized and accredited by the government, shall prepare the implementing 
38 
rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
2 


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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - In case any provision of this Act is declared 
2 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
3 
shall continue in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
6 
regulations, issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
7 
are deemed repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two newspapers of national circulation. 
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Approved, 
3