What should Filipinos expect from the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) as an independent government agency?
This question was answered by the CHR itself as it pointed out its four "core programs" that address the needs of the Filipino people.
It said its first program is the most basic -- human rights protection services which include its mandate to investigate cases of violations.
The CHR said it can investigate alleged cases of human rights violations upon receipt of a complaint from the victim or through motu proprio investigations or those that are carried out based on the commission's own initiative.
Should a violation be determined, a resolution will be issued and it will include recommended actions. The CHR may also recommend the grant of financial assistance to victims.
The second program is human rights promotion services, wherein the CHR strives to raise the knowledge and awareness of every Filipino on their obligations and rights as citizens.
Third of its "core programs" involves human rights policy advisory services, where the Commission expresses its comments, suggestions, and position on various human rights measures.
Finally, the CHR also has human rights violation prevention services where the CHR ensures that violations are prevented in areas or situations where a portion of the population is highly likely to experience abuse.
The CHR is an independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) created under the 1987 Constitution. It was set up on May 5, 1987 through Executive Order No. 163 issued the late former President Corazon C. Aquino.