LP official named new CHR chair –sources

A lawyer and member of the Human Rights Claims Board will replace Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales as head of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

According to multiple sources, President Benigno Aquino III has already selected Chito Gascon, vice president for social movements of the Aquino-led Liberal Party (LP), as replacement of Rosales, whose term ended last May 5.

The Human Rights Claims Board, an agency attached to the CHR,t is tasked to administer programs and reparations for human rights victims during the Martial Law years.

The sources said CHR officials have already been briefed about the release of Gascon’s appointment papers to the commission.

The formal announcement “is expected to happen in the coming days,” one source said.

Gascon was a student leader during the Marcos era who actively rallied against his dictatorial regime and had led various organizations propagating the importance of human rights.

Right after the 1986 People Power Revolt, Gascon became part of the civil society groups guarding the democratic interest of the nation, among them the Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino or Kompil, Bansang Nagkaisa sa Diwa at Layunin (Bandila) and the Black & White Movement.

Gascon also served as undersecretary of the Department of Education under the Arroyo administration.

Meanwhile, the sources also said former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada will be named CHR commissioner along with Laisa Alamia, executive director of the Office of the Regional Governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslimn Mindanao (ARMM).

Tañada was part of the Liberal Party’s executive committee and served as the party's spokesperson in the past elections.

Like Gascon, Tañada and Alamia are lawyers by profession.

Days before Rosales’ retirement, she told GMA News that Tañada was among those who have formally applied to the CHR.

With the appointment of two commissioners, there will only be two vacant seats for the post at the CHR. —KBK, GMA News