CHR aid to human rights victims, witnesses suffer P2.3-M cut in 2025 budget

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)'s program providing financial aid for witnesses and victims of human rights violations suffered a P2.3-million cut under the proposed 2025 budget.

Negros Oriental Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong made the disclosure during the House plenary deliberations on the CHR’s proposed P1.1 billion budget for 2025.

The 2024 budget allocated P315.3 million for CHR’s Human Rights Protection Program which consists of the following:

• documentation and management of complaints of human rights violations (HRVs)
• forensic and medico-legal services
• legal assistance and counseling
• financial assistance witness security and other adjunct protection services
• conduct of regular visitations in places of detention and rehabilitation facilities, and
• preventive monitoring of human rights conditions.

Under the proposed 2025 budget, however, only P313.5 million was allocated for the same item.

“The impact of this [budget cut] is one, on the financial assistance. Without an increase [on the current allocation], the CHR can only extend P10,000 instead of P30,000. And it can no longer provide for, let's say, additional legal expenses for those who are seeking justice. And the traveling expenses as well was reduced...so this will also affect the investigation or for expenses for their operations,” Limkaichong, the CHR budget sponsor, said during the questioning of House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas.

“Then there's also the insurance expense as well [that will be affected]. And of course, most of the CHR regional offices are leased spaces, so they will need additional rent expense and office supplies,” she added.

Limkaichong also lamented that the Department of Budget and Management allocated a P1 million confidential fund for CHR for 2025 instead of the agency's proposed P4 million.

“They (CHR) requested for a P4 million confidential fund, which is crucial for conducting discreet investigation of high-profile and grave human rights violations and for providing necessary support to victims and witnesses,” she said.

In response, Brosas said that she will make a motion to increase CHR’s budget in due time.

“This P2.3 million cut should be restored. At the proper time, we will be moving for amendments to increase the budget for CHR, and records would show that this representation has always sought for a higher budget for CHR,” Brosas said.

“The CHR’s role is very crucial in protecting and upholding our rights, and they can only do that with sufficient budget,” she added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News