FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
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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 honor 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 gov~rnments, 1 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,2 
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). 
The Universal Declarations of Human Rights in Articles 1 and 3 state: 
1 P. Malanczuk, Akehurst's Modern Introduction to International Law, seventh edition. 
2 UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, 
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/[ssueslPages/Whatare]-[umanRights.aspx 
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Article 1. 
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. 3 
3 This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regnlar Session 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
1 (I 
JUL?1l IIi I :4 t 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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DECLARING DECEMBER TEN OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY 
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TO BE KNOWN AS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in' 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Human Rights Day Act". 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the state to promote, protect and 
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fulfill the l1uman rights of all its citizens. An essential element in the protection of human rights 
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is a widespread knowledge and understanding among people of what their rights are and how 
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they can be defended. 
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SECTION 3. Special Working Holiday. - In recognition of the. need to establish a 
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comprehensive national consciousness of human rights, the tenth day of December is hereby 
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declared as a special working holiday to be known as "Human Rights Day". 
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SECTION 4. Activities that shall be undertaken in observance of this occasion. -
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(a) Heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, government-owned and 
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controlled corporations, local government units and employers in the private sector shall, 
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together with their employees, organize, engage or participate in activities designed to raise 
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public awareness on human rights and human rights violations. 
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(b) The Philippine Infonnation Agency shall be mandated to allocate a minimum of one 
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(1) hour airtime for programs exclusively raising public awareness of human rights. Relative 
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thereto, all Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas-affiliated television and radio networks 
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nationwide are encouraged to allocate airtime for said programs. 
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(c) Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Education, and the Commission 
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on Higher Education, in coordination with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and 
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advocating for human rights, shall lead public and private school communities at all levels in 
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organizing consciousness-raising activities on human rights. 
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They shall translate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into Filipino, and cause 
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copies of it, in both English and Filipino, to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded 
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principally in schools and other educational institutions. 
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SECTION 5. Rules. - The Commission on Human Rights shall, within sixty (60) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations to carry out and enforce the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Commission on Human Rights. 
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Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation shall be included in the 
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annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and SUbsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with the provisions ofthis Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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lacs 
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