Malacañang said that President Marcos is open to studying a recommendation from a United Nations special rapporteur for the Philippines to ratify a key human rights treaty against enforced disappearances.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan urged the Marcos administration to strengthen protections for human rights, including by formally joining the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

The UN special rapporteur released her report earlier this month at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, citing the Philippines’ recent progress while urging the government to adopt more robust reforms, including strengthening safeguards against abuses and holding state actors accountable.

In her press briefing on Thursday, June 19, Castro said the Palace is elated that the government’s efforts in promoting human rights are being noticed.

“Kami po ay ikinatutuwa at ikinasisiya na napapansin internationally ang ginagawa ng Pangulo at ng pamahalaan para paigtingin ang karapatang pantao at para maaksyunan na at pigilan ang enforced disappearances at extrajudicial killings na naganap noong nakaraang administrasyon (We are pleased that the international community is recognizing the President’s and the government’s efforts to strengthen human rights and to take action against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings from the previous administration),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer noted that the recommendation to ratify the treaty was “a good suggestion” and will be reviewed thoroughly by the President and his legal team.

“Pag-aaralan po itong mabuti ng ating Pangulo (The President will study this thoroughly),” she said.

Khan also called on the Philippines to formally denounce red-tagging practices and to penalize those responsible. Castro said the Palace has yet to receive a formal report or list of incidents but welcomed any additional details.

“Kung anumang pong sitwasyon ang pag-red-tagging, mas maganda po siguro kung mabigyan po kami ng detalye patungkol diyan para maipabot natin sa Pangulo (If there are red-tagging cases, it would be best if we could be given specific details so we can bring them to the President’s attention),” she said.

Meanwhile, Castro said the administration is committed to upholding human rights and freedom of expression, which remains “alive and thriving” under President Marcos.

“Walang duda na ang freedom of expression ay namamayagpag sa atin ngayon dahil ang Pangulo pa mismo at ang gobyerno minsan ang siyang biktima ng fake news. (There’s no question that freedom of expression prevails in our country because no less than the President and the government have often been victims of fake news),” she said.