In observance of this year’s Human Rights Day, marking the 77th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Caritas Philippines and the Episcopal Commission on Social Action – Justice and Peace reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and defending the human dignity of every person.

Under the theme, “Karapatang Pantao: Kasama sa Araw-Araw” (Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials), Caritas Philippines emphasized that human rights are not abstract ideals—they are fundamental to daily life.

In a statement issued Friday, December 12, and signed by CBCP Caritas Philippines President and Bishop of San Carlos, Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, DD, the Church called on the government, civil society, and citizens alike to uphold these rights consistently and collectively.

“This celebration inevitably reminds us of our right and duty to ensure that the government respects, protects, and fulfills human rights, and promotes the inherent human dignity of all people, regardless of race, sex, culture, or beliefs,” said Alminaza.

“Further, it challenges us to recognize the inherent rights of all God’s creation,” he added, noting that such rights “provide us with the free will of conscience and discernment, enabling us to move beyond denouncing injustices toward acting for accountability and transparency in upholding dignity and equality for all people.”

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually around the world on December 10.

Caritas Philippines noted that human rights violations remain a part of daily life in the Philippines, manifesting in poverty, hunger, malnutrition, joblessness, extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, red-tagging, and misuse of government resources.

“We recognize daily injustices and violations of human dignity in poverty, hunger, malnutrition, joblessness, and the widening gap between the rich few and the poor majority,” Caritas Philippines said.

These direct violations, it added, are “exacerbated” by extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, disappearances, threats and harassment of human rights defenders and whistleblowers, red-tagging, and the abuse of government resources.

“Worsening poverty results from the inequitable distribution of power, economic, social, and natural resources needed for decent lives, and the lack of access to basic services,” the organization added.

Caritas Philippines noted that recent controversies in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as well as ongoing efforts to recover P60 billion in misused PhilHealth funds, highlight the urgent need for government accountability and transparency.

“This is a betrayal of social services that has caused damage to property, livelihood, and loss of lives across the country,” Caritas Philippines said. “Corruption kills and violates human rights. Human rights are indeed part of our everyday life, and we demand accountability. Caritas Philippines denounces this form of evil threatening our country and our people,” it added.

Despite challenges, Caritas Philippines recognizes the growing civic engagement of ordinary Filipinos and Church communities.

Partnerships with Horizont300, support from the European Union, and the commitment of 30 dioceses to human rights programs demonstrate progress in raising awareness and building structures for protection at the parish level.

International and national mechanisms also provide hope for justice, including the International Criminal Court’s arrest of a former president for gross human rights violations; investigations by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on organized corruption; and government and civil society initiatives to monitor infrastructure projects and promote priority legislation, such as the Anti-Dynasty Bill.

Caritas Philippines urged continued vigilance and action, echoing former CBCP President Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, emphasizing that the recovery of misused funds must come from perpetrators, not taxpayers.

“In this spirit, we call for justice—to give to others what is rightfully due. We call for an end to impunity and for transparency and accountability,” Caritas Philippines said.

“We call for collective action, which starts from respect for the dignity of every person and awareness that human rights are human dignity, calling on people in the Church to protect and promote justice for every person, every day,” it added.

Drawing inspiration and strength from the blessings of the Jubilee Year of Hope on the occasion of Human Rights Day, Caritas Philippines said it continues to be the “voice of the voiceless, the defender of the defenseless, and remains committed to supporting and calling for action on human dignity and human rights, accountability, and social justice—individually, collectively, collaboratively, and structurally.”

Caritas Philippines is the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). It is a member of Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Asia, working to promote social justice, human rights, and sustainable development across the country.