Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas (PPAB)

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) doesn't have a single peso under its proposed budget for 2025 to implement Republic Act (RA) No.10353 or the “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012". 

House Assistant Minority Leader Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas brought attention to this omission during the agency’s budget hearing Tuesday, Sept. 3 before the Committee on Appropriations. 

Brosas says Section 30 of RA No. 10353 appropriates P10 million for the law's initial implementation with subsequent funding to be included in the respective budgets of the CHR and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget for its continuing implementation. 

But there's no such amount in the P1.2 billion outlay for CHR next year. 

The Makabayan congresswoman described the situation as worrisome, especially since the human rights group Karapatan had documented 14 cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances in 2023 and this year.  

“Concerned lang po ako sa desaparecidos tapos walang budget [para sa RA No.10353 implementation]. So talagang mahirap,” she said. 

(I'm concerned over the desaparecidos, and then there’s no budget for the law. So the situation is really difficult.) 

At the proper time, Brosas said she will raise an amendment to the CHR to provide funding for the implementation of the particular law. 

CHR budget sponsor and Negros Oriental 1st district Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong says there are several unfunded laws in the country, especially those that expand or add responsibilities to concerned agencies.  

“Pero kulang yung budget na binibigay (But the budget that was provided wasn't enough). 

"It’s not commensurate to the additional responsibility that’s given to the CHR. So it is incumbent upon Congress that in due time, we can probably augment or whatever is the best solution, in order that those unfunded laws can be properly implemented,” she said.