Monday, September 18, 2017

below budget

Remember that secret jail cell in a Manila police station that illegally detained people for ransom last April? CHR discovered that. Remember that motion to bring back death penalty which somehow only favored the punishment of the underprivileged? CHR challenged that. There are several cases more, which should be enough to put into anyone’s minds how the CHR functions in this country.

Now, under the influence of Duterte, our government slashed the CHR’s budget to a puny P1,000 for an entire year not because they are not doing their jobs. They cut it down so abhorrently because they are doing their jobs really, really well. CHR is on the right track to discovering one of the biggest problems that continues making this nation sick. Whether you like it or not, CHR proved to be the light in the Duterte administration’s darkness.

When these congressmen are asked what their reasons are for voting yes to that decision, my world crumbled when I learn these people basically do not know the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). They have no idea how the agency works. We are in the year 2017, and I guess everyone now is adept at stalking and Googling relevant information for fact-checking. A little effort goes a long way.

No comments: