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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No.3041 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS A 
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
          “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them 
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, 
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” 
(Genesis 1:26KJV). “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created 
he him: male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27KJV), “And the Lord God 
formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 
and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7, KJV). It is thus submitted that there is no 
other right more precious than the human right to life, as God Himself formed man 
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. 
          The 1987 Constitution established the Commission on Human Rights  (CHR) 
with a vision for a just and humane Philippine society of persons equal in opportunity, 
living a life of dignity, and forever vigilant against abuses and oppression, and a 
mission to seek the truth in human rights issues and prevent incidence of human 
rights violations, making the Filipinos aware of their rights, and guide government 
and society towards actions that respect such rights, particularly those who cannot 
defend themselves, like the less privileged. 
          While the Constitution defines the powers of the CHR, national experience has 
shown that the needed just and appropriate actions to attain its vision and fully fulfill 
such mission cannot be put in place with dispatch due to its limited powers, delaying 
the administration and delivery of, if not depriving, justice to whom it is due. As the 
legal maxim says: “justice delayed is justice denied”. With its investigative power, the 
CHR can gather facts and first-hand material, relevant and admissible evidence 
necessary to prosecute human rights violators and give justice to the victims. But 
without the power to file the appropriate case, such evidence will just be in the files 
gathering cabweb as the poor victim’s body returns to dust, especially in the light of 
August 5, 2025
12:07 pm


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social. Political and procedural ramifications and hindrances besetting the filing of 
cases by victims and the responsible agencies of the government. 
          To empower the CHR to file charges as may be warranted by evidence gathered 
in its investigation, in addition to its recommendatory and investigative mandate as 
provided in the Constitution, will, therefore, not only enhance its contribution in 
safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms but will give full meaning to the 
purpose of its creation.  
          Extending the investigative power of the CHR and giving it the power to file 
cases, criminal and/or administrative, before the Prosecutor’s Office or the Office of 
the Ombudsman, finds relevance in the declarations in the Constitution that: the State 
values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human 
rights. (Sec. 11, Art. II); Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of 
measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce 
social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequalities by 
equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good (Sec. 1, Art. XIII); 
the CHR shall have the power to investigate, on its own or complaint by any party, all 
forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights (Sec. 18[1], Art. 
XIII); and that the CHR shall perform such other duties and functions as may be 
provided by law (Sec. 18[11], Art. XIII). 
          In the light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly 
requested. 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No.3041 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
STRENGTHENING THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AS A 
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION 
         Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in session 
assembled:      
         SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Commission on Human 
Rights Charter of 2025.” 
          SEC. 2. Statement of Policy. – The State values the dignity of every human person 
and guarantees full respect for human rights. It shall give highest priority to the 
enactment of measures that respect, protect, and fulfill the right of all people to human 
dignity at all stages of human life.  
          SEC. 3. Definition of Human Rights. – Human rights are the supreme, universal,  
inherent, and inalienable rights to life, dignity, and self-development of every person 
regardless of race, sex and gender, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any 
other status. These rights include those guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution, 
domestic laws, and international human rights instruments such as the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political 
Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, 
International Humanitarian Law and all human rights instruments to which the 
Philippines is a State Party. 
SEC. 4. The Commission on Human Rights as an Independent Office. – The 
Commission on Human Rights, created under the 1987 Constitution, hereinafter 
referred to as the Commission, shall maintain its independence. Except in cases 
provided in the Constitution with regard to the appointment of its Chairperson and 
Commissioners, legislation affecting the exercise of its powers and functions, and 
judicial review of the legality of its acts, orders, resolutions, and decisions, the 
independence of the Commission shall always be respected and upheld. 


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SEC.  5. Fiscal Autonomy. - The Commission shall enjoy full fiscal autonomy. 
Appropriations for the Commission shall not be reduced and shall be 
automatically and regularly released.  
SEC. 6. The Commission as a National Human Rights Institution.– The Commission 
is the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) of the Philippines in accordance with 
the Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions, hereinafter referred to as 
the Paris Principles, and other United Nations (UN) Resolutions and Instruments 
pertaining to the effective functioning of NHRIs. As such, the State and all its agents 
shall ensure and respect the compliance of the Commission with the Paris Principles.  
SEC. 7. The Commission En Banc as a Collegial Body. – The Commission en banc, 
as a collegial body, is responsible for the promulgation of policies, decisions, orders, 
and resolutions necessary for the efficient administration of the Commission and for 
the proper execution of its constitutional mandate. Every policy, decision, order, or 
resolution of the Commission must bear the concurrence and signature of a majority 
of the Members. In the exercise of its powers and functions, the Commission shall sit 
and render its decision en banc, unless otherwise provided in an internal resolution, 
adopted by the Commission en banc. The Commission en banc shall meet regularly. 
A majority of the Members shall constitute a quorum. 
SEC. 8.  Composition and Qualifications of the Members of the Commission. – The 
Commission shall be composed of a Chairperson and four (4) Members who shall 
possess the following qualifications:  
(a) Natural-born citizens of the Philippines;
(b) At least thirty-five years of age at the time of appointment, with proven
probity, integrity, and competence;
(c) Must have an understanding of human rights protection, promotion, and
advocacy;
(d) Must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving
moral turpitude; and
(e) Must not have been candidates for any elective position in any national or
local elections, whether as regular candidates or as party-list nominees,
immediately preceding their appointment.
A majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar who have been 
engaged in the practice of law for at least five (5) years. The composition must observe 
gender-balanced and pluralist representation, which shall be in accordance with the 
Paris Principles.  
In furtherance of the role of the Commission as the country’s Ombudsman for 
Children, at least one (1) Member who has expertise or has extensive competency and 
experience on child rights protection and promotion must be appointed. 


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SEC. 9. Appointment and Term of Office. – The Chairperson and Members of the  
The Commission shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of 
seven (7) years without reappointment.  
 
Of those first appointed under the enactment of this Charter, the Chairperson 
shall hold office for seven (7) years, two Members for six (6) years, and the other two 
Members for five (5) years. The term of the Chairperson and Members shall start on 
the day immediately after the end of the previous one, regardless of the date of 
appointment. In no case shall any Chairperson or Member be appointed, reappointed, 
or designated in a temporary, part-time, or acting capacity. Appointment to any 
vacancy occurring during the term shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term 
of the predecessor.    
 
Any vacancy in the offices of the Chairperson and of the Members of the 
Commission shall be filled within ninety (90) days from its occurrence. However, the 
incumbent Chairperson or Member shall hold the position until such time as the 
appointment is made by the President for the same position. 
 
SEC. 10. Selection Process for the Chairperson and Members of the Commission. –  
The incumbent Chairperson and the Members of the Commission shall act as the 
Selection Committee for the appointment of the new Chairperson and four (4) 
Members of the Commission.  
  
The Selection Committee shall convene immediately, as soon as a vacancy 
exists, or when the term of office of the current Members ends within six (6) months, 
or when an impending vacancy occurs. The Committee shall develop and promulgate 
its own rules of procedure for the selection of nominees for the position of Chairperson 
and Members, in accordance with requirements of an open, transparent and merit-
based selection process, as mandated by the Paris Principles The conduct of 
consultations with human rights organizations and other relevant stakeholders for the 
selection of the new members of the Commission en banc shall form part of the rules 
of procedure. 
 
SEC. 11. Prohibitions and Disqualifications. – The Chairperson and Members 
of the Commission shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. 
Neither shall they engage in the practice of any profession or in the active 
management or control of any business, which in any way may be affected by the 
functions of their office, nor shall they be financially interested, directly or indirectly, 
in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the Government and 
its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or 
controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.   
 
They shall avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. They shall not 
be allowed to appear or practice before the Commission within one (1) year following 
the completion of their term of office, resignation, or any other manner of separation 
from office.  


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No spouse, common-law partner, or relative by consanguinity or affinity 
within the fourth civil degree, or business or professional partner of the Chairperson 
or Members, may transact business directly or indirectly with the Chairperson or its 
Members, or appear as counsel or agent of a party in any matter pending before the 
Commission.  
 
These prohibitions and disqualifications shall apply during the tenure of the 
official concerned and for one (1) year thereafter.   
 
SEC. 12. Disclosure of Relationship. – It shall be the duty of the Chairperson and 
Members of the Commission to disclose under oath to the best of their knowledge the 
identities of, and relationship with, the persons referred to in the preceding section. 
The disclosure, which shall be in writing, shall be filed in the Office of the 
Ombudsman after the appointee assumes office and every year thereafter. The 
disclosures made pursuant to this Section shall form part of the records and shall be 
made available and accessible to the public. 
 
SEC. 13. Salary, Retirement, and Other Privileges of the Chairperson and Members of 
the Commission. – The Chairperson and Members of the Commission shall receive the 
same salary, retirement, privileges, and benefits as those received by the Chairperson 
and Commissioners of the Constitutional Commissions, and their salaries shall not be 
decreased during their terms of office. 
 
Upon the death of a retired Chairperson or Member, the surviving legitimate 
spouse and dependent children shall be entitled to receive on a monthly basis, all the 
retirement benefits being received by the deceased Chairperson or Member from the 
time of death, under the provisions of applicable retirement laws. “Dependent 
children,” as used in this section, refers to a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted 
child who is chiefly dependent on the sai deceased Chairperson or Member of the 
Commission, if such dependent child is not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, 
unmarried and not gainfully employed, or if such dependent child, regardless of age, 
is incapable of self-support because of any mental or physical defect or condition. The 
surviving legitimate spouse shall continue to receive such retirement benefits until the 
spouse remarries.   
 
SEC. 14. Structural Organization. – The Commission shall prepare and formulate 
the organizational structure and staffing pattern, for submission to the Department of 
Budget and Management for its review and evaluation, in accordance with the civil 
service laws, rules, and 35 regulations and other pertinent laws. 
 
SEC. 15. Privileges and Emoluments of the Members of the Commission En Banc. – 
All members of the Commission en banc shall receive the same emoluments and 
privileges as those given to their counterparts in Constitutional Commissions. 
 


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SEC. 16. Powers and Functions of the Commission. – The Commission shall 
promote and protect all human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and 
cultural rights, and shall have the following general powers and functions:   
 
(a) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of violations 
of human rights, whether committed by State or non-state actors;  
 
(b) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure and cite for 
contempt any person for violations thereof or its lawful orders, and for this 
purpose, the Rules of Court shall have suppletory application;  
 
(c) Provide appropriate legal and preventive measures to victims of human 
rights violations, which may include, among others:  
 
(1) Legal assistance and counseling to victims;  
(2) Directives to concerned government agencies to give appropriate 
protection to victims;   
(3) Cease and desist orders;  
(4) Petition for writ of habeas corpus, writ of amparo, writ of habeas 
data, writ of  kalikasan, and any other protective writs; and 
(5) Continuing mandamus for the protection of human rights of all 
persons within the Philippines. 
  
(d) Provide legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human rights have 
been violated or need protection. Clients who need legal assistance and 
representation may also be referred to the Public Attorney's Office or Legal 
Aid Offices, as may be necessary and appropriate;  
  
(e) Exercise unannounced, unhampered, unrestricted visits over jails, prisons, 
camps, custodial or detention facilities, places of confinement, safe houses, 
and similar places of deprivation of liberty;  
 
 
(f) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to 
enhance respect for the primacy of human rights. The Commission shall 
coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on 
Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Judicial Academy, Legal Education 
Board, and other state universities and colleges to ensure these objectives;   
 
(g) Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote and protect human 
rights; 
 
(h) Recommend effective measures to provide for compensation to victims of 
violations of human rights, or their families;  
 
(i) Monitor Philippine government compliance with international treaty 
obligations on human rights; 


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(j) Report to international human rights mechanisms on all aspects relating to 
the government's compliance with its treaty obligations;  
 
(k) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or 
possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to 
determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its 
authority;  
  
(l) Request the assistance of any government department, bureau, office, or 
agency in the performance of its functions; 
  
(m) Call on government departments, bureaus, offices, or agencies to comply 
with their obligations under international human rights obligations;  
 
(n) Perform its Gender and Child Ombud roles, and ensure that the status, 
rights, and interests of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors are upheld 
in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and international instruments 
on human rights;  
 
(o) Issue human rights advisories, positions papers, and legal opinions on all 
matters affecting the human rights of all persons, directed to concerned 
agencies of government for their consideration and implementation;  
 
(p) Issue human rights clearances and certificates of no pending human rights 
case;  
 
(q) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and  
 
(r) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law.  
 
SEC. 17. Investigative Powers and Functions. – The Commission shall investigate, 
on complaint or on its own, cases of human rights violations. In the exercise of its 
investigative function, the Commission shall:  
 
(a) Act promptly on reports or complaints filed in any form by any individual 
or organization. Findings of human rights violations shall include 
recommendations for appropriate remedies and referral to proper 
government agencies for the filing of administrative, criminal, or civil 
actions. The recommendations may include proposals for legislative, 
administrative, or judicial reforms. The investigation and other proceedings 
conducted by any administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial bodies shall not 
bar the investigation of the Commission on allegations of human rights 
violations, and findings by the Commission must be given weight;  
  


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(b) Investigate alleged violations of human rights, international humanitarian 
law, and anti-terrorism law, as provided in pertinent laws;  
 
(c) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, to place 
the witness under oath or affirmation, issue subpoenas, take testimony in 
any investigation or inquiry conducted by the Commission or any of its 
offices, and cite for contempt any person who violates the Commission’s 
Rules of Procedure and lawful orders. In matters concerning contempt, the 
Rules of Court shall apply suppletory to the Rules of Procedure of the 
Commission; 
 
(d) Conduct forensic and medical sciences in making findings of human rights 
violations, such as collection of physical evidence from locations relevant to 
its investigation, assessment of victims who are survivors of human rights 
violations to determine their physical and mental well-being, among others; 
conducting an independent examination of the remains of alleged victims to 
document any injury, and to determine cause and manner of death. Pursuant 
thereto, the Commission shall have the authority to exhume and conduct an 
autopsy on the human remains, subject to the consent of the family of the 
deceased, if applicable;  
 
(e) Provide psychosocial support to victims of human rights violations as well 
as human rights defenders under threat, such as referral to primary health 
care centers with existing mental health programs;  
 
(f) Ensure compensation for victims of human rights violations or their families, 
which is appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and 
circumstances of each case, that may result from gross violations of 
international human rights law, and serious violations of international 
humanitarian law; 
 
(g) Provide safety to witnesses, as well as human rights defenders under threat. 
For this purpose, the Commission shall implement and manage a Witness 
Protection Service, which will provide security, shelter, relocation, and 
livelihood assistance to witnesses and their families, until such time the 
threat ceases, or when the case can be endorsed to the Department of Justice 
and the witness, or person under threat, qualifies for protection  service, 
under Republic Act No. 6981, otherwise known as the “Witness Protection, 
Security and Benefit Act”; 
 
(h) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony, 
possession of documents, or other evidence is necessary or convenient to 
determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its 
authority; and 
 


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(i) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary or incidental 
for the effective exercise or conduct of its investigative powers.  
 
SEC. 18. Visitorial Powers. – The Commission, or its duly authorized 
representatives, is hereby mandated and authorized to conduct regular, independent, 
unannounced, unhampered, and unrestricted visits to or inspection of all places of 
detention and confinement. Places of deprivation of liberty refer to any place of 
detention, imprisonment, confinement, or the placement of a person in a public or 
private custodial or rehabilitative setting under the jurisdiction and control of the 
Philippines, where persons are or may be deprived of their liberty by virtue of an 
order given by a public authority, at one’s instigation, or with one’s consent or 
acquiescence.  
  
SEC. 19. Quasi-judicial Powers. – Pursuant to Art. XIII, Sec. 18 (11) and Sec. 19 of 
the Constitution, and in addition to its investigatory powers and functions, the 
Commission is hereby vested with the powers to decide the existence of violations of 
civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, determine and award monetary 
compensation to victims of said violations.   
 
For this purpose, the Commission shall identify and define each human rights 
violation and recommend appropriate charges against the perpetrators. The 
Commission shall also determine the amount of monetary compensation to be 
awarded to the victim, or in case of death, to the spouse, children, or next of kin, in 
that order.  
  
SEC. 20. Scope of Legal Measures. – In order to strengthen the exercise of its 
investigatory power, the Commission, including its regional and provincial offices, 
may issue the following legal measures and provisional remedies:  
  
(a) Mandatory Protection Orders, which direct government security forces, 
other government agencies, and private institutions to provide specific 
protection to victims and witnesses to human rights violations; 
  
(b) Petitions for the protection of the rights of persons, such as:  
 
(1) Temporary liberty for medical examination, particularly for sick or 
pregnant persons deprived of liberty; and 
 
(2) Petitions for certiorari, mandamus, or declaratory relief, and such 
other legal remedies to correct any government actions that encroach or 
threaten to violate human rights; 
 
(c) Other remedies for the protection of the rights of children:   
 
(1) Actions for protective custody of victims who are minors;    
 


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(2) Petitions for involuntary commitment, in coordination with the 
concerned social work and development office; and 
 
(3) Petitions, motions, or pleadings to correct an error in the 
commitment, detention taking of custody of children in conflict with the 
law;  
  
(d) Mediation between parties on issues that are and can be subject to 
settlement.  
 
SEC. 21. Referral to Disciplining Authority. – The Commission may direct the 
disciplining authority to take appropriate action against a public officer or employee 
found guilty of committing violations of human rights, recommend to the disciplining 
authority the removal, suspension, demotion, censure, imposition of fine, or 
prosecution and ensure compliance of its recommendation by requiring the 
disciplining authority concerned to report on the action taken thereon within thirty 
(30) days from receipt of such recommendation. The failure of the appropriate 
authority to act or comply with said recommendation shall constitute ground for 24  
application of the issuance of a writ of mandamus by the Commission. 
  
For this purpose, every case in which the Commission has rendered a 
resolution or recommendation adverse to a public official shall be transmitted to the 
head of the department, agency, or instrumentality, or of the province, city, or 
municipality concerned, for immediate action, as may be necessary. 
  
SEC. 22. Monitoring Functions. – In the exercise of its mandate to monitor the 
Government's compliance with its international human rights obligations, the 
Commission shall:  
 
(a) Monitor and advise the government on its responsibilities and obligations 
under international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a 
signatory;  
  
(b) Prepare its own independent reports to the UN, human rights treaty bodies, 
and other international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal 
Periodic Review and special procedure mechanisms; 
 
(c) Make the appropriate recommendations to the concerned government 
agencies with regard to requests for official visits of Special Procedures’ 
mandate-holders and other treaty and charter-based mechanisms; 
  
(d) Recommend ratification of, or accession to, international human rights 
instruments, and ensure their implementation;  
  
(e) Conduct inquiries on the Government’s manner of implementation of 
specific human rights obligations; 


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(f) Request the cooperation of any public official on the measures undertaken 
by one’s agency to comply with the State's international human rights 
obligations;  
  
(g) Coordinate with relevant government agencies in terms of its compliance 
with international human rights obligations; and 
 
(h) Undertake other activities as may be necessary in the conduct of its 
monitoring and reporting functions.  
  
SEC. 23. Other Monitoring Functions. – The Commission shall also monitor 
observance by non-state actors of human rights obligations, arising from international 
and domestic laws, or agreements entered into with the government, as well as 
unilateral declarations and similar undertakings. Violations of human rights 
committed by non-state actors that may be the subject of the Commission’s monitoring 
functions shall include, among others:  
  
(a) Those committed by rebel groups in relation to international humanitarian 
law;  
 
(b) Those committed by persons, both natural and juridical, in relation to 
economic, social, and cultural rights, such as labor, environment, and 
demolition of houses; and   
 
(c) Those committed by individuals in relation to violations of rights and 
protection of marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors.  
  
SEC. 24. Human Rights Education, Information and Advocacy. – The 
Commission shall establish a continuing program of education and information to 
enhance respect for the primacy of human rights through its education and promotion 
office, consistent with the Constitution, domestic laws, applicable treaty obligations, 
and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.  
 
The Commission shall develop and implement a Human Rights Education and 
Training Program for law enforcement officers, education and training institutions, 
and other government agencies in coordination with the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, 
DepEd, CHED, Legal Education Board, Philippine Judicial Academy, Professional 
Regulation Commission, and all other concerned agencies.  Likewise, the Commission 
shall develop and implement a Human Rights Information Campaigns Program for 
civil society and the general public.  
  
SEC. 25. Establishment of Human Rights Institute. – The Commission shall 
establish a Human Rights Institute (HRI). It is an educational and training institute 
responsible for the promotion, and teaching of human rights education and related 


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fields, with in-house competencies in these areas of specialization. The HRI shall focus 
on formal education programs and shall offer certificate courses on human rights and 
related fields.  
  
SEC. 26. Functions of the Human Rights Institute. – The HRI shall have the 
following functions:  
 
(a) Serve as a training institute for investigators, prosecutors, justices, judges, 
lawyers, and other human rights workers in government and civil society 
human rights organizations on human rights and related issues. For this 
purpose, it shall provide and implement curricula on human rights and shall 
conduct seminars, workshops, and othe training programs designed to develop 
human rights knowledge, capacities, skills, and attitudes;  
 
(b) Receive income, legacies and donations for the benefit of the HRI or for its 
support or maintenance, which shall be exempt from the payment of taxes and 
other fees and charges of the government, its branches and subdivisions, and 
which shall constitute a special fund to be administered and disbursed solely 
for the HRI; 
 
(c) Enter into consortium agreements with other educational and training 
institutes for the development and implementation of its programs on human 
rights education; and  
 
(d) Advise basic and higher education institutions and regulatory agencies on 
the teaching of human rights and related issues, including recommending 
effective measures to promote human rights. 
  
SEC. 27. Annual Report. – The Commission shall prepare and make public an 
annual report on the findings of its monitoring activities with regard to the status of 
the government’s compliance with its international human rights treaty obligations. 
The report shall include:  
  
(a) Recommendations for legal, legislative, and institutional reforms for the 
promotion  and protection of human rights; and   
 
(b) Adoption and implementation by concerned government agencies of the 
recommendations on the protection and promotion of human rights contained 
in the Commission’s policy issuances and resolutions.  
 
The Commission shall directly submit its annual report to the Office of the 
President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, for the consideration of the 
recommendations stated in the annual report.  
  


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SEC. 28. Financial Assistance Program. – The Commission may provide financial 
assistance to victims of human rights violations and their families through a Financial 
Assistance Program.  
 
SEC. 29. Legal Assistance Program. – The Commission shall maintain a Legal  
An Assistance Program to benefit underprivileged victims of human rights violations, 
which may be in coordination with human rights organizations, lawyers’ groups, the 
Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Public Attorney’s Office, and Philippine law 
schools. 
SEC. 30. Protection of Filipinos Abroad. – The Commission shall undertake 
measures for the protection and promotion of human rights of Filipinos living abroad 
in coordination and cooperation with the Department of Migrant Workers, 
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy or Consulate officers, resident 
private individuals of known probity and active involvement in human rights, or 
foreign-based human rights and migrant workers’ non-government organizations in 
countries where the incidence of human rights violations against Filipinos is 
widespread and commonplace, including traditional host countries of overseas  
Filipino workers. 
  
The Commission may establish bilateral or multilateral relationships with other 
national human rights institutions for the protection of the human rights of Filipinos 
abroad.  
 
SEC. 31. Security of Data. – All documentation and information collected by the  
Commission shall be kept strictly confidential, unless the Commission decides 
otherwise in relation to a particular document: Provided, That no sensitive 
information, whether personal or otherwise, shall be published without the express 
consent of the individual or authority concerned: Provided, further, That this 
provision shall be in accordance with all applicable laws, such as Republic Act No. 
10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.  
 
SEC. 32. Protection from Criminal and Administrative Liability. – Any act made 
pursuant to the functions and powers conferred upon the Commission under this Act 
and other applicable laws, or in respect of any publication by, or under the authority 
of the Commission, of any report, proceeding, or any other matter under this Act, shall 
not be a ground for action, suit or other legal proceeding against any member or staff 
of the Commission. 
 
Any legal action filed to harass, vex, exert undue pressure, or stifle any legal 
recourse that any member, or staff of the Commission has taken, or may take, in the 
performance of their functions, under this Act and other applicable laws, if proven in 
court to have been filed for any of the aforementioned purposes, be immediately 
dismissed with prejudice and the court may award damages, attorney's fees, and costs 
of suit under a counterclaim if such has been filed. 
  


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SEC. 33. Franking Privilege. – The Commission may transmit through ordinary 
mail or registered mail with return card, free of charge, all official communications 
and papers directly connected with the conduct of its duties, functions, or the exercise 
of administrative supervision over its personnel.  
  
SEC. 34. Financial Report. – The Commission shall make available to the public 
its annual financial statements and related financial reports as required by governing 
oversight agencies. 
 
SEC. 35. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the 
Commission. Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
  
The approved annual appropriations of the Commission shall be automatically 
and regularly released.  
  
SEC. 36. Transitory Provisions. – Nothing in this Act shall prejudice the 
positions, emoluments, security of tenure, qualifications, privileges, and benefits of 
the incumbent Chairperson and Members of the Commission, and the officers and 
employees of the Commission upon its effectivity. However, officials and employees 
of the Commission, in aid of its reorganization upon the effectivity of this Act, may 
avail of an early retirement program as may be provided for by the Commission.   
  
SEC. 37. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
approval of this Act, the Commission shall, formulate the rules and regulations in the 
exercise of its powers and functions, in consultation with other concerned government 
agencies and stakeholders. 
  
SEC. 38. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act or part hereof be 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions or parts not affected thereby shall 
remain valid and effective.  
 
SEC. 39. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 40. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication  in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,