Lawmakers Push for Commission on Human Rights Budget Increase
In a recent House committee hearing, lawmakers once again urged for a Commission on Human Rights (CHR) budget increase. Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno questioned why the agency lacks funding for two critical special laws it is mandated to enforce.
Diokno asked what portion of the CHR’s 2026 budget would be allocated to implementing Republic Act No. 10354, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, and RA 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. This highlights the ongoing concern over insufficient resources for these vital human rights laws.
CHR Budget Allocations and Gaps
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc revealed that the agency only received P2 million to enforce the Magna Carta of Women, with no budget allocation for the Anti-Enforced Disappearance or Anti-Torture laws. He emphasized that despite several special laws granting CHR additional mandates, no corresponding funds have been provided.
Diokno responded, “In other words, Mr. Chair, for the implementation, for example, or your role in terms of implementing the Anti-Torture law, the Anti-Enforced Disappearance, there’s nothing in the NEP. It’s good that we learned that because hopefully we can do something about it.” This admission underscores the urgent need for budget reforms.
CHR’s Role in Enforcing Special Laws
The Commission on Human Rights plays a pivotal role under these special laws. Under RA No. 10354, CHR serves as a key agency where victims or concerned citizens can report enforced disappearances. Meanwhile, RA 9745 mandates CHR to receive detention facility lists regularly to prevent secret detentions where torture might occur.
Additionally, CHR, alongside the Public Attorney’s Office, must provide legal assistance in investigating and monitoring torture complaints. The law also charges CHR with conducting education and information campaigns to raise public awareness on these human rights issues.
Concerns Over Budget Cuts and Mandate Fulfillment
Palpal-latoc disclosed that CHR proposed a P2.190 billion budget for 2026 but faced a significant reduction to P1.297 billion in the National Expenditures Program (NEP). Although this is higher than the 2025 budget of P1.140 billion, the 40 percent cut from the proposal alarmed many lawmakers.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez expressed concern about CHR’s capacity to fulfill its constitutional mandate with such limited funds. He said, “I am concerned really with the budget of the Commission on Human Rights […] the proposal is cut by 40 percent. And if you therefore, Madam Chair, compare the 2025 budget of P1.1 (billion) this year, next year, they will only have a measly P156 million more, how can we justify the fact that this is a body established by the Constitution in 1987?”
Rodriguez also suggested revisiting the Tier 2 budget requests, supporting a partial increase to better support CHR’s functions.
Questions on Gender Ombud Role Funding
4K party-list Rep. Iris Marie Montes questioned if the P2.2 million allocated for the Magna Carta for Women would suffice for CHR’s gender ombud responsibilities. She asked, “Can the CHR fulfill its role as a gender ombud, with this budget?”
Palpal-latoc admitted, “With this budget it will be hard but we are doing our best to address issues and fulfill our duties as the gender ombud, because we have been placing some of our activities as a gender ombud along with our other regular activities just so we can do it.” This reveals the challenges CHR faces even in its core functions.
Historical Context of CHR Budget Challenges
CHR’s struggle with low budgets is not new. In 2017, the House nearly slashed CHR’s budget to a mere P1,000 after the commission criticized the then administration’s drug war policies. The agency has since appealed multiple times for adequate funding to fulfill its mandate effectively.
In 2022, under the current administration, CHR requested Congress to reconsider budget cuts, warning that reduced funding would hamper its operations. For 2023, CHR was allocated P844.1 million for new programs, with some lawmakers supporting a budget closer to the requested P1.6 billion.
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