CHR left with no commissioner after terms ended on May 5, 2022

The Commission on Human Rights has been left with no commissioner after the terms of its commissioners all expired on May 5.

According to Ian Cruz's report on "24 Oras", Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento, commissioners Karen Lucia S. Gomez-Dumpit, Gwen Pimentel Gana, and Roberto Eugenio Cadiz have all finished their terms.

The seat of the fourth commissioner has been vacant for a longer period after Armamento took over in February as chairperson following the death of CHR chairman Chito Gascon in October 2021.

CHR executive director Jacqueline de Guia has been left to oversee the constitutional body tasked to look into human rights violations across the country.

“Work goes on and work continues in the CHR. Kami, ‘yung mga rank-and-file, alam namin yung mandato namin na nakasaad sa 1987 Constitution and we remain faithful to the Constitution,” De Guia said.

(We in the rank and file know our mandates under the 1987 Constitution and we remain faithful to the Constitution.)

“Tayo naman sa CHR... patuloy. They made me the caretaker in the meantime until we have the new set of appointments. We’re eagerly waiting for the six commissioners to assume their seven-year term,” she added.

(We just continue here in the CHR. They made me the caretaker in the meantime before we have the new set of appointments. We’re eagerly waiting for the six commissioners to assume their seven-year term.)

The creation of the CHR is mandated under the 1987 Constitution.

It shall be composed of a chairperson and four commissioners whose role is to investigate all forms of human rights violations related to civil and political rights.

With the sitting president given the authority to appoint its commissioners, De Guia hopes the administration will designate rightful personalities.

GMA News has reached out to acting presidential spokesperson Sec. Martin Andar to ask if Duterte will appoint new commissioners but has yet to receive his response as of press time.   —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News