Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Quezon City Branch

Don Fabian, Commonwealth, Quezon City
Subject: Politics and Governance with Philippine
Constitution
Subject Code: POSC 1013

A Short Documentation
about one of the
Government Agencies
in the Philippines:
Commission on Human Rights

Group Members:
and Section:
Cristian Balatbat
Daniel Balmoria
Bryan Cortesiano
Crystal Joy Gungab

Course
BSIT 2-1

Paola Pagurayan

Republic of the Philippines

Commission on Human Rights

Topic Outline
What is CHR?
Nature of the Office (Physical Environment)
Mandate of the Office
Brief History of the Commission Office
Vision and Mission of the Commission Office
Main purpose of the Commission Office
Organizational Structure of the Commission
o Brief explanation about the organization structure
o Organizational Structure Chart
-

Details and information presented in this report is based on our research on their
website, and answers from the person we interviewed, Dir. Ana Elzy E. Ofreneo.

Ana Elzy E. Ofreneo

OIC Executive Director, Human Rights Education, Research and Promotion Office
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
NCR - National Capital Region, Philippines

What is Commission on Human Rights?

- CHR, or Commission on Human Rights, is an independent office
created by the Constitution of the Philippines, with the primary
function of investigating all forms of human rights violations
involving civil and political rights in the Philippines.

1. Nature of the Office

(Physical Environment)

Central Office, UP Complex, Diliman,Quezon City

Commission on Human Rights Building is still standing for about 30 years, and its
surroundings and environment, based on our observation and photographs, CHRs
environment is full of plants and trees, making the ambience of the office to be cooler
and relaxing in the eyes.

Unfortunately, we are not given an opportunity to wander around in the office or to have
a tour inside the office to observe more of their environment and working spaces.

2. Mandate of the Office

History
Existing in almost 30 years, CHR is an independent office created under the
1987 Philippine Constitution and established on May 5, 1987 by virtue of
Executive Order No. 163, and also when the Philippine Constitution ratified with
the Filipino people.

CHR mandates are from the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the other laws
that have also entrusted other roles to us to protect and promote human rights
and the human dignity of every Filipino and everyone in the Philippines.
Additional Information: (Not Included in the report)

Symbolism of the Logo of the Commission on Human Rights

The logo consists of a circle which is divided into two (2) equal parts signifying
equality in consonance with the principle that All men shall be equal before the
law and represents the two-fold mandate of the CHR that is the promotion and
protection of human rights, a dove bearing an olive branch signifying peace
and a pair of scales symbolizing justice.

The left side of the logo is rendered in sky blue which connotes the right to
advance ones well-being and social, mental and physical development. The
right side in gold is to spur public awareness of the value of human dignity and
the inalienable right to exercise human rights and liberties.

Commissions Vision

A Philippine society where human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully
enjoyed by everyone, and are respected, protected and fulfilled by the state in
accordance with universal human rights principles and standards, and in
compliance with its obligations under the international human rights instruments.

Commissions Mission

As an independent national human rights institution, the Commission on

Human Rights is committed to ensure the primacy of all human rights to their
protection, promotion, and fulfillment, on the basis of equality and nondiscrimination, in particular for those who are marginalized and vulnerable.

Commissions Goal Statement

To be the prime mover in strengthening respect, understanding and practice of human
rights as the essential corner stone of peace, unity and nation-building.

Commission on Human Rights Main Purposes

The Constitution mandates the CHR to serve all persons within the Philippines
and Filipinos abroad. We provide services to both rights-holders and dutybearers.
We provide particular attention to victims of human rights violations, their families
as well as those witnesses whose testimony is vital in the investigation and
prosecution of human rights violations.
CHR works for the empowerment of all rights-holders with a special focus on the
disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable groups including but not limited to
children, women and girls, persons deprived of liberty, indigenous peoples,
workers, including migrant workers, workers in the formal and informal economy,
displaced persons, persons living in poverty, persons with disability/ies, Elderly,
persons of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGIE).

Commissions Main Objective

 To instill awareness of universal human rights values and principles among the
various sectors of society.
To promote the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights.
To monitor the observance of human rights and to prevent and investigate their
violation.
To advocate for a human rights approach to legislative, administrative and judicial
policies, programs and measures.
To establish and strengthen cooperation with a wide range of organizations and
groups.
To interpret the CHR constitutional mandate as widely and comprehensively as
possible.

Organizational Structure of the Commission Office

The Commission is composed of a Chairperson and four members. The

Constitution requires that a majority of the Commissions members must be
lawyers.

The Commission has 10 division offices:

1. Information Systems management Office
2. Field Operations Office
3. Human Rights Protection Office
4. Human Rights Education, Research and Promotion Office
5. Human Rights Policy Advisory Office
6. Human Rights Centers Management Office
7. Strategic Planning and Development Office
8. General Administration Office
9. Financial Administration Office
10. Forensic Center

Next Page >> Organizational Structure Chart