08 May 2017, Monday, Geneva, Switzerland – The Philippines affirmed its culture of respect for human rights, and its determined pursuit of a human and wholistic approach to development and governance during the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council today in Geneva.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who co-leads the Philippine delegation to the UPR, stressed, “the Philippine Government under President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to real change, to peace and development and to addressing the problems of poverty and inequality,” also adding that, “the Philippine Government is committed to an open, inclusive, constructive, and transparent review before the UPR, and continues to support the UPR process and the UN human rights system.”
Senator Cayetano presented true facts and real numbers instead of alternative facts, to dispel allegations and correct misinformation spread by critics against the Philippine government’s campaign on illegal drugs.
Senator Cayetano also dismissed criticisms against the ongoing drive vis-a-vis corruption, illegal drugs and criminality, emphasizing that this is a key plank of the government’s pursuit of comprehensive and inclusive development for 105 million Filipinos.
Quoting the Philippine Report to the HRC UPR, Senator Cayetano said: “As our President himself expressed during his first State of the Nation Address in July 2016, “there can never be real, tangible, and felt development without making our people feel secure. The Philippines shall implement a rights-based approach to development and governance, as it improves our people’s welfare. Human rights must work to uplift human dignity.”
Sen. Cayetano presented facts and figures on the campaign against illegal drugs, pointing out that erroneous media reports have caused misperceptions on the situation in the Philippines and raised misplaced concerns from the international community on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.
The Philippine delegation elaborated on the robust progress of the country on the implementation of international human rights obligations as the government pursues the development agenda.
Guided by its Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, the Philippine Government adopts a culture-sensitive perspective, gender-sensitive paradigm, and human rights-based approach in public service. The Government is in the process of drafting its Philippine Human Rights Action Plan for the next five years, after successfully completing the last periodic plan.
The government adopts a wholistic and balanced approach to address the problems on criminality and illegal drugs and allots substantial resources to the public health dimension of the anti-drugs policy. In addition to the strengthening of law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, the government also encourages private sector participation to ensure a more effective and sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration programs for the surrendering drug users.
He underscored, “In keeping with the State’s duty to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedom, the people’s campaign against illegal drugs is pursued to preserve the lives of the Filipino people and prevent the country from turning into a Narco-State. At all times, the Duterte administration seeks to uphold the rule of law. In fact, President Duterte has a policy of zero tolerance for abuse by law enforcers.”
“Our country has consistently adopted and maintained a culture of respect for human rights. The relevant implementation mechanisms and institutions to enable our country to comply with its treaty obligations are all in place and functioning properly,” Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra, co-lead of the Philippine Delegation, also stressed, adding, “our country observes the principle of inclusiveness in its compliance with its human rights obligations.”
The 1987 Philippine Constitution contains many specific provisions on the advancement of human rights, including the creation of an independent body with power to investigate all forms of human rights violations, known as the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Furthermore, the Philippine Government encourages the participation of all stakeholders, not only the relevant government agencies but also non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, international organizations, and the Commission on Human Rights, in policy formulation and program implementation.
The UPR session this morning was a progressive step following the successful completion by the Philippines of the first and second cycles of the UPR process in 2008 and 2012. The Philippines was also on the first batch of countries on the 1st and 2nd cycle of the UPR. The Philippines and thirteen (13) other countries comprise the first batch of countries in the UPR third cycle.
During the interactive dialogue, Member states commended the Philippines' achievements in promoting and protecting rights migrants' workers, women and children, indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. Progress was also noted in recent laws and programs on education, health, climate change and environment, as well as policies pursing greater social inclusion.
The Member States recognized that the Philippines has implemented most of the recommendations presented during the last UPR Cycle in 2012.
The UPR, a state-driven voluntary process that involves all UN Member States under the auspices of the HRC, aims at improving the human rights situation on the ground of each of the 193 UN Member States. Under this mechanism, the human rights situation of all UN Member States is reviewed every 5 years. Forty-two (42) States are reviewed each year during three Working Group sessions dedicated to 14 States each. The third cycle of the UPR will cover all UN Member States and run until 2021.
The Philippines was one of the first 47 members of the newly created HRC in 2006. It is currently serving its 4th term in the Human Rights Council.
The Philippine Report to the third cycle HRC UPR is found here: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/PHSession27.aspx. END