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The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) pressed for the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill that would ensure full recognition of equal rights and increase acceptance of the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) community.

The Sandiganbayan has found former Mayor Christopher Leones Millare Sr. of Licuan-Baay, Abra guilty of two counts of technical malversation in the P3.2 million rehabilitation of the municipal hall in 2011 and 2012.

The order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that blocked the websites of several groups, including some news outfits, and the order to revoke the operating license of Rappler “result in chilling effects to deter free speech and liberty of association under a democracy,” the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.

The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion filed by four employees of Aurora province to recall one of their defense witnesses to testify on the “authenticity of the original documents” involved in their graft charges.

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Batangas 4th District Rep. Oscar L. Gozos and seven others of their graft charges in the purchase of P3 million worth of shredder chippers in 2004.

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Administrator Carlos S. Salazar of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of graft charges in the botched Libmanan-Cabusao Diversion Dam project in Camarines Sur that was budgeted at P713 million in 2008.

Former Mayor Fernald G. Rovillos of San Andres, Romblon and six other persons have been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan of their graft charges in the purchase of seedlings worth P550,000 in 2014.

While the Philippines ranked 1st among 34 Asian countries in terms of acceptance of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community, an average of 26 anti-gay slurs are uttered on a daily basis.

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The Sandiganbayan has denied anew the plea of four former officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to reconsider its ruling that junked their motion to dismiss the criminal charges against them through a demurrer to evidence.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra for speaking out against red-tagging which labels persons as members of communist terrorist groups.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), through its Region IV-A, decided to conduct its own investigation on the arrest of environmentalist and activist Vertudez “Daisy” Macapanpan last June 11 in Pakil, Laguna.

Former Mayor Candida E. Gabornes of Lawaan town in Eastern Samar allowed the use of her personal vehicle by officials and employees in the performance of their functions because the municipality had no funds to buy its own service vehicle.

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed its decision that convicted five Caloocan City barangay officials of falsification of public document.

The comment made by Philippine National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., on the pro-administration rallyists did not sit well with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Mayor Ricardo S. Rivera of Guagua, Pampanga of graft charge due to the unfinished construction of the town’s slaughterhouse in 2009.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has welcomed the pronouncement of the Supreme Court (SC) which provided safety exemptions for deaf litigants and their interpreters during in-court hearings.

The Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) central office will join the probe being conducted by its Region III on the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of farmers, land reform advocates, members of the media, and students last June 9 in Concepcion, Tarlac.