PHILIPPINES
Delivered by Ms. Maria Teresa T. Almojuela
Deputy Permanent Representative and Ambassador
Chargé d’Affaire, a.i.
Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations
in Geneva
Agenda Item 2
Annual Report of the High Commissioner
34th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council
09 March 2017
Mister President
My delegation would like to address the statements of the High Commissioner concerning my country:
The Philippine Constitution states that “for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes”, the Congress will provide for death penalty. The ICCPR allows death penalty for “most serious crimes” and against their chief perpetrators.
Pursuant to its mandate, the lower house of Congress after months of deliberation decided to restore the death penalty for “heinous crimes” related to the safe and distribution of illegal drugs.
This exercise falls within the sovereignty of the Philippines.
My delegation is dismayed that the High Commissioner takes a biased position on this and ignored the reality that this case attests to the fact that due process and rule of law are at work in the country.
Senator De Lima was charged with crimes related to illegal drugs. The trial court found a prima facie case against her and issued a warrant of arrest, on which basis she is now detained. She is now appealing her case.
Notwithstanding this, Senator De Lima continues to function as Senator and to freely issue statements critical of the government.
The campaign against illegal drugs has the overwhelming support of the Filipino people and is being waged with firm adherence to the rule of law, due process and human rights principles.
The Philippines denounces and does not tolerate extrajudicial killings. We encourage the High Commissioner and Governments to look beyond the media frenzy on this issue and carefully look at facts on the ground.
My country takes the issue of killings seriously. Authorities are investigating these killings and are committed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Moving now to general matters, my delegation calls on the High Commissioner to respect domestic processes and allow them to bear fruit. We regret his apparent disdain for national investigation processes, and his assumption that only his Office or international mechanisms could conduct credible and transparent investigations.
We urge the High Commissioner to take a more constructive and fairer approach in the conduct of his important work dealing with states.
Thank you Mister President.