Hontiveros on Alvarez threat to give CHR zero budget: Unconstitutional, grossly fallacious

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday slammed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for threatening to give the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) a "zero budget" for 2018.

In a text message, Hontiveros said not only was the Speaker's proposal illegal, but it would also result in Filipinos getting “zero human rights” as well.

“The plan by some legislators to cut to zero the Commission on Human Rights' 2018 budget is unconstitutional. The CHR, like other constitutional commissions, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, and the judiciary, enjoys fiscal autonomy. It cannot be defunded,” Hontiveros said.

“A zero budget for CHR means zero human rights for the people,” she said.

Hontiveros said Alvarez’s basis not to allow the CHR to get a portion of the national budget was “grossly fallacious.”

“Let me remind my fellow legislators that the mandate of the CHR is to ensure that there will be no abuse or negligence on the part of the government in protecting and upholding the rights of all the citizens, especially the marginalized. Of all people, our lawmakers should know this,” she said.

“Giving the CHR a zero budget will send signals to the national and international communities that the Duterte government is not committed to the principles and promotion of human rights. It elevates to the level of policy the government's disdain for human rights,” Hontiveros added.

On Monday, Alvarez lashed out at the CHR during the agency’s budget briefing, saying the agency was always criticizing the government that provides its funds.

Alvarez, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, took to task CHR chairman Chito Gascon for supposedly protecting the rights of the criminals and not the victims.

"Kapag police matter, wala na human rights violations? Ang sa akin, kapag human rights, human rights iyan. Ang masama kasi, masyado kayo na-influence ng mga international orgs na tinitignan lang ay human rights ng mga kriminal," Alvarez said.

"Wala akong makitang dahilan para sustentuhan kayo ng gobyernong ito. Mas gusto niyo pa protektahan ang mga karapatan ng mga kriminal, hindi ang mga biktima," the House Speaker added. — MDM, GMA News