Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POWERS AND DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE 
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, ENHANCING ITS AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE, 
INVESTIGATE, AND PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES, 
PROVIDING MECHANISMS FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is an independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), 
created under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, established on 05 May 1987 by virtue of Executive Order 
No. 163. The Commission is mandated to conduct investigations on human rights violations against 
marginalized and vulnerable sectors of the society, involving civil and political rights. 1 
During its enactment, the CHR has achieved significant milestones and faced challenges. However, while 
the state of human rights in the Philippines has progressively improved, certain pressing issues and 
personalities hinder its full application.  
This bill aims to provide the CHR the appropriate powers to aid it in its constitutional mandate and 
prerogative for the law’s full and effective implementation. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of the bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
1 https://chr.gov.ph/about-us/ 
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November 13, 2024
11:48 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE POWERS AND DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS OF 
THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, ENHANCING ITS AUTHORITY TO 
ENFORCE, INVESTIGATE, AND PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES, PROVIDING MECHANISMS FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Empowerment of the Commission on 
Human Rights Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State under Section 18, Article XIII of 
the 1987 Constitution, to create the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) as a response to the 
atrocities committed during Martial Law.  
In pursuant of the Constitution, it shall likewise be the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the rights and dignity of every human being in the country. The State values the dignity of every 
human person and guarantees the full respect for human rights. It is the legislature’s highest 
priority to 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, in 
accordance with Section 1, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution. 
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SECTION 3. Constitutional Functions of the Commission on Human Rights. – Under Section 
18, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, the CHR shall have the following powers and 
functions: 
 
a. Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations 
involving civil and political rights; 
b. Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for 
violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court; 
c. Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons 
within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive 
measures and legal aid services to the under-privileged whose human rights have been 
violated or need protection; 
d. Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities; 
e. Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance 
respect for the primacy of human rights; 
f. Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for 
compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families; 
g. Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty obligation on 
human rights; 
h. Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of 
documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any 
investigation conducted by it or under its authority; 
i. Request the Assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance 
of its functions; 
j. Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and 
k. Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. 
  
SECTION 4. Recognition of the Commission on Human Rights as an independent and 
autonomous Commission – In accordance with Section 17, Article XIII of the 1987 
Constitution, the CHR is established as an independent and autonomous body, tasked with the 
promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines. The CHR is empowered to ensure 
that the government, its agencies, and other entities respect, fulfill, and protect the human rights 
of all individuals. Accordingly, the CHR shall be recognized as an independent Constitutional 
body, free from external interference, and its office, functions, and decisions must be respected. 
No individual, group, or entity, regardless of rank, age, position, or affiliation, shall have the 
authority to question, undermine, or threaten the autonomy, integrity, or independence of the 
CHR in the performance of its duties.  
 
SECTION 5. Creation of a Commission of Human Rights Investigatory Department. – In 
accordance with Section 18(a), Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, and to effectively carry out 


its mandate to investigate human rights violations, there is hereby created with the Commission 
on Human Rights an Investigatory Department., which shall be responsible with the conduction 
of a thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into all human rights violations, 
including those committed  state actors, non-state actors, and other entities that may threaten or 
infringe upon the rights of individuals.   
 
SECTION 6. Purpose of Commission of Human Rights Investigatory Department – The 
Investigatory Department shall have the following functions, powers, and purposes: 
 
1. Conduct Investigations – To independently and impartially investigate all alleged 
violations of human rights, including but not limited to extrajudicial killings, torture, 
forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and other forms of abuse. 
2. Gather Evidence – To collect and preserve evidence, interview witnesses, issue 
subpoenas, and access documents relevant to its investigations, in accordance with 
established laws and procedures. 
3. Collaborate with Other Agencies – To work in coordination with relevant government 
agencies, civil society organizations, and international human rights bodies, while 
maintaining its independence in investigating cases of human rights violations. 
4. Ensure Accountability – To recommend actions, including legal proceedings, 
disciplinary measures and/or penalties, or institutional reforms, to ensure accountability 
for human rights violations. 
5. Report Findings – To issue timely and transparent reports of its investigations, including 
the identification of responsible parties and recommendations for redress, both to the 
government and to the public. 
6. Provide Protection to Victims and Witnesses – To ensure the safety and protection of 
victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers, and provide support for their participation in 
investigations and legal processes. 
7. Promote Restorative Justice – To recommend restorative justice measures, including 
reparations, rehabilitation, and reconciliation programs, as part of the broader strategy for 
addressing human rights violations. 
8. Maintain Autonomy – The Investigatory Department shall operate independently and 
autonomously, ensuring that its work is not influenced by external pressures or political 
interference. It shall report directly to the Commission on Human Rights and maintain its 
own investigatory functions distinct from other branches of government. 
9. Provide legal assistance to victims of human rights violations – To ensure the 
continuity and the legal remedies available to the families of the victims of human rights 
violation. 
 
SECTION 7. Duties and Mandate of CHR investigatory – The Commission on Human Rights 
has the force of law to, among others, implement: 


a. Promotion of Collaborative Efforts with International Bodies – The Commission 
shall engage in cooperative efforts with the United Nations and other relevant 
international bodies to enhance national capacity for the promotion and protection of 
human rights. This includes, but is not limited to, the provision of advisory services, 
technical assistance, and public information campaigns aimed at strengthening human 
rights education and awareness on both national and global scales. 
b. Establishment of Human Rights Documentation and Training Centers – Upon the 
request of interested States, the Commission shall urge the Centre for Human Rights to 
establish United Nations-affiliated centers for human rights documentation, training, and 
capacity-building. These centers shall be funded through the Voluntary Fund for 
Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights, facilitating 
access to resources and training necessary to support local and national human rights 
initiatives. 
c. Facilitation of Information and Best Practice Exchange among National Institutions 
– The Commission shall establish mechanisms for the systematic exchange of 
information, resources, and best practices with other national human rights institutions. 
This effort shall aim to support the effective establishment, operation, and continuous 
improvement of these institutions, fostering collaboration and shared learning. 
d. Legislative Review and Recommendations for Enhanced Human Rights Protections 
– The Commission shall undertake comprehensive reviews of relevant legislation and 
submit recommendations for updates or new legislation that align with evolving 
Principles on the status of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human 
rights. These recommendations shall be formally presented to legislative bodies as part of 
the Commission’s commitment to uphold and advance international human rights 
standards at the national level. 
SECTION 8. Implementing Agency. The Commission on Human Rights shall be the primary 
implementing agency to aid the review in cases involving crimes against human rights. 
 
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one (1) month from the approval of 
this Act, the Commission on Human Rights and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government 
shall formulate rules and guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and 
enforcement of this Act. 
 
SECTION 10. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act 
shall be charged under the current appropriations of the Commission of Human Rights. 
Thereafter, regular appropriations for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 11. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 


SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act 
are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,