The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has welcomed the support made by incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to ensure accountability and adherence to human rights during his meeting with United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez.
In their meeting last Friday, June 10, Marcos highlighted the "importance of ensuring high level of accountability in terms of human rights." Gonzales then said they would continuously support "all efforts of the Philippines on the human rights agenda."
CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the commission is looking forward to the support of the incoming administration to advance the human rights cause in the country, particularly the UN Joint Program on Human Rights.
"To recall, the said UN Joint Program implements the Human Rights Council Resolution 45/33 adopted in October 2020 meant to carry out capacity-building and technical cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country," De Guia said.
"This partnership between the Philippine government and UN is seen as a critical milestone in addressing the gaps and lapses similarly raised by CHR in protecting the rights of Filipinos in the past years," she said.
The CHR is hoping that the respect and protection of human rights will become a "main agenda of governance" in the Marcos administration, which would uplift the lives of Filipinos, she stressed.
For its part, the CHR is committed to continue carrying out its mandate as an independent human rights institution by serving as a watchdog, educator, and adviser to the government, she added.