§Pr:nnfl? 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
(\~fh;r "f tlj,~trHj"t~ > > 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL-3 P2:\2 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. :3 71 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Human rights are defined as the supreme inherent and inalienable rights to 
life, to dignity, and to self-development. It is concerned with issues in areas of civil, 
political rights, economic, social and cultural rights founded on internationally 
accepted hUman rights obligation to which the Philippine Government' is state 
party. 
While it is commendable that more and more governments in the world are 
establishing human rights commissions, it remains a fact that the struggle for 
human rights is one which is waged and won by individual and groups who 
experienced being violated, and who fights to win back the rights that have been 
taken away from them. Human rights is a struggle at all fronts - in the factory, in 
sweatshops, on the streets, in the home, as well as in courts, in jails and detention 
centers, and in all places and situations where the dignity of the human person is 
simplified. 
Although human rights are enshrined in the supreme law of the land, many 
of our people do not have access to basic information about such rights. More 
often than not, innocent people are convicted partly by reason of their ignorance of 
such human rights. 
This bill which seeks the establishment of the Barangay Human Rights 
Action Centers is an initiative towards the creation of a culture of human rights in 
our local communities, so that human rights violations may be prevented and 
human rights values may be promoted. The peasant who fights for his land, the 
factory workers that struggles for better wages, the woman or child who is abused, 
the indigenous cultural communities who are being uprooted from their ancestral 
land should find in the BHRAC a .venue to make human rights protection a reality 
in the everyday life and struggle for the local community. 
In view hereof, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 371 
.s.i!tmt11' 
. (I!l(l,; •• ! Ht' .;i;"rrl .. ~ 
'13 
JUL -3 P2 :12 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARAN GAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION CENTER IN EVERY 
BARANGAY IN THE COUNTRY 
Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the "Barangay Human 
Rights Action Center (BHRAC) Act'. 
SEC. 2. 
Role and Creation of the Barangay Human Rights Action 
Center. There shall be established a Barangay Human Rights ACtion Center in 
every barangay in the country, amending for this purpose Book III on the local 
Government Units of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code, by adding there to another chapter to be known as: 
"Chapter II - The Barangay Human Rights Action Center" 
The Center serves as the Human Rights Desk in the barangay to bring the 
services and programs of the Commission on Human Rights within the reach of 
the people, especially in the far-flung areas, and as a forum wherein the collective 
views on the human rights of the people may be expressed, crystallized and 
considered. The Center shall be manned by the Barangay Human Rights Action 
Officer (BHRAO). 
SEC. 3. Manner of Creation. The BHRAO shall be established by a 
resolution approved by the Sangguniang Barangay and the BHRAO shall be 
chosen or appointed by the Barangay Assembly called for the purpose by the 
Punong Barangay by a majority of those present. The voting shall be supervised 
by the City/Municipal local Government Operations Officer and as a representative 
of the Regional Office and/or sub-Office of the Commission on Human Rights 
where the barangay is located. The position of the BHRAO is non-political and 
independent and no elective or appointive or employee of the Government can be 
chosen as BHRAO. 
SEC. 4. 
Qualifications of the Bara1ngay Human Rights Action 
Center. A person shall be appointed Barangay Human Rights Action Officer if he 
is: 


a) At least 21 years of age; 
b) A high school graduate; 
c) Of proven integrity; and 
d) Committed to the cause of Human Rights 
SEC. 5. 
Tenure and removal from Office of the·· BHRAO. The 
BHRAO duly chosen by the Barangay Assembly shall serve for a term of five (5) 
years without re-appointment, unless sooner removed by the Barangay Assembly 
for causes provided by law, or by reason of death or resignation. 
SEC. 6. 
. Supervision. The Commission on Human Rights shall 
immediately after the approval of this Act prepare and provide the Barallgay with 
the implementing rules, guidelines and regulation necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. In coordination with the Barangay, the Commission on 
Human Rights shall supervise the operation and activities of the BHRAO. 
SEC. 7. Technical Assistance. The Commission on Human Rights shall 
provide technical assistance in the training of the BHRAO's and whenever 
possible, provide the barangay with pertinent materials. 
SEC. 8. Funding. This Act shall be initially implemented within the 
framework of the funds of the Barangay. As far as practicable, the funds required 
therefore shall be drawn available funds of the city, municipal or provincial 
governments, and from appropriation of the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) for training and program planning. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the budget of the Commission on Human Rights in 
the annual General Appropriation Act. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall be effect after fifteen (15) days from 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,