FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
:
i
 
S. NO. 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution envisaged the Commission on Human Rights to exist as an 
“independent office”. This is indeed necessary if the Commission is to enswe that the State 
performs its duty to respect, protect and uphold the rights of our people. However, there are two 
institutional impediments that compromise the independence of the Commission, namely the lack 
of transparency in the selection and appointment of the Chairman and Members of the Commission, 
and its limited fiscal autonomy. 
This bill will strengthen the independence of the Commission on Human Rights by: 1) the 
Constitution of a Nominations Committee that will screen applicants/aspirants to the Commission 
and submit a short list of nominees to the President; 2) the appointment of the Chairm& and 
Members of the Commission on a staggered basis; and 3) the grant of full fiscal autonomy to the 
Commission. 
It is hoped that the Nominations Committee will ensure the transparency of the selection 
process so that those that are appointment have a proven track record of integrity, independence and 
competence in human rights advocacy. The adoption of the staggered term of the Chairman and 
members of the Commission precludes their appointment by only one president, even as it 
guarantees the continuity of policies and programs of the Commission. Finally, the grant of full 
fiscal autonomy will give the Commission sufficient flexibility to promptly and fully discharge its 
powers and functions as envisaged by the constitution. 
The seven year term of the incumbent Commission will expire in May this year. It is in this 
respect that immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
ANT *TU- 
NI “S0NNY”F. TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
I 
S.NO. 2330 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING TBE INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN 
RIGHTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, SECTIONS 1 AND 5 OF EXECUTIVE 
ORDER NO. 163 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Sec. 2 of Executive of Executive Order No. 163 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Sec. 2. (a) The Commission on Human Rights shall be composed of a chairman and four 
Members who must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines WHO ARE HUMAN RIGHTS 
ADVOCATES OF KNOWN PROBITY, COMPETENCE AND INTEGRITY, and at the time of 
their appointment, at least thirty five years of age, and must not have been candidates for any 
elective position in the elections immediately preceding their appointment. However, a majority 
thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar.” 
(b) 
x 
x 
x 
(c) The Chairman and the members of the Commission on Human Rights shall be appointed 
by the President FROM A LIST OF TEN (10) NOMINEES TO BE SUBMITTED BY A 
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO BE CHAIRED BY THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY WITH 
MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE FOLLOWING: 
1) COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 
2) PRESIDENTIAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE 
3) PHILIPPINE AALLIANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES 
4) KARAPATAN 
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5 )  FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP 
6) INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES 
[for a term of seven years without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the 
unexpired term of the predecessor.] 
THE FIRST NOMINEE APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OR THE APPOINTEE 
WHOSE NAME APPEARS FIRST IN THE LIST OF APPOINTEES SHALL BE THE 
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION WHO ALONG WITH THE SECOND APPOINTEE 
SHALL SERVE FOR SEVEN YEARS. THE THIRD AND FOURTH APPOINTEES SHALL 
SERVE FOR FIVE (5) YEARS, AND THE LAST APPOINTEE FOR THREE YEARS. THE 
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL NOT BE REAPPOINTED. 
APPOINTMENT TO ANY VACANCY SHALL BE ONLY FOR THE UNEXPE’ED 
PORTION OF THE TERM OF THE PREDECESSOR. IN NO CASE SHALL ANY MEMBER BE 
APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED IN A TEMPORARY OR ACTING CAPACITY, 
(d) 
x 
x 
x 
SEC. 2. Sec. 5. Of Executive Order No. 163 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SECTION 5 .  THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS SHALL ENJOY FISCAL 
AUTONOMY. The approved ahual appropriations of the Commission [on Human Rights] shall be 
automatically and regularly released.” 
SEC. 3. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or 
parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECA. If any section or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such 
other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect immediately. 
Approved, 
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