The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the United Nations (UN) Periodic Review, known as Universal Periodic Review, of human rights situation in the Philippines “is a huge help for our country.”

It said the review and findings will help enhance and improve human rights situation in the Philippines.

The Universal Periodic Review is a review of the human rights records of all UN member states, including the Philippines, the CHR said.

“Through it, member states can share what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation in their respective countries. The UN, in turn, will share the best human rights practices it has seen to other member states,” it said.

As the primary National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) of the Philippines, CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the commission endeavors to be the "bridge" and "platform," or serve as a "venue" in bringing together civil society and government.

When the issues of different sectors of society are made known to the government, De Guia said the CHR can help encourage and urge the government to act on these recommendations.

"Because after all, the primary purpose of the Universal Periodic Review is to improve the human rights situation on the ground and make sure that we are progressing," she said.

The next UN Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines will be released in November 2022., while the last was issued in May 2017.

De Guia said that several human rights bodies and civil service organizations have already submitted their own findings to the UN Human Rights Commission which mostly focused on the previous administration's war on illegal drugs.

The Philippine government only "noted" the recommendations made during the last review in 2017 and denied the extrajudicial killings that took place amidst the war on illegal drugs, she said.