What's the outlook for the human rights situation in the Philippines in 2022?
In this episode of ‘On The Campaign Trail,’ veteran journalist @jnery_newsstand sits down with Human Rights Watch’s @condeHRW and CHR executive director Jacqueline de Guia:
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia cites widespread human rights issues such as extrajudicial killings, emphasizing the importance of upholding human rights in the lead-up to 2022 and beyond.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW says among the 2022 presidential aspirants, only Vice President Leni Robredo and Ka Leody de Guzman have been consistent in condemning human rights abuses.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia says the late Chito Gascon, who served as CHR chair, wanted Philippine leaders to "walk the talk" in championing human rights.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW says other presidential aspirants have not been vocal about their positions on human rights. He highlights how some of these presidential aspirants were previously supporters of the President.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW says many senatorial aspirants like Diokno, Colmenares, Labog will be able to highlight human rights issues in their campaigns.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: The thing here is human rights in the PH since 2015/2016 has been set back in ways we've never seen, not even in the Marcos dictatorship, in terms of the tone.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: The PH has suffered so much under [President Duterte] in the past 5 years. It's a time of reckoning for a lot of these people.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia says CHR aims to "impress upon the public" that human rights play a "critical role" in everyday life, and that good governance is vital in upholding human rights.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia: [The public] should make sure candidates deliver on those promises, because these will affect our everyday lives and human rights for the next 7 years.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW on Bongbong Marcos: What has he done for the victims of the Marcos dictatorship? Has he denounced these well-documented abuses?
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: He keeps saying he's not his father, all the abuses attributed to Ferdinand Marcos Sr. should not be attributed to him.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: Other candidates, like Manny Pacquiao, supporting Duterte and making public comments against LGBTQ+ people, and Panfilo Lacson during his police chief days had trouble with human rights issues.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: And of course, Bong Go himself, [Rappler] reported his role in the Davao Death Squad. Ex-general Parlade has been red-tagging, committing abuses of the rights of activists by lumping them with combatants.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: Being a politician, a public official, it's your duty to speak out against human rights abuses. If you don't, at the very least, that makes you an enabler.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia on CHR's work: We package human rights in a positive, simple way that will be understood by the people.... We also made sure our social media presence was felt, and we want to make sure we are engaging with the audience.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia: We wanted to be more inclusive.... We wanted to have a healthy balance, we spoke truth to power, and at the same time, the positive things that were happening were also highlighted.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW .@condeHRW: I think [journalists] have risen to the challenge in covering human rights issues.... If there's any one issue [that dominated] the past 6 years, it's human rights.
@jnery_newsstand@condeHRW De Guia: We did see how powerful social media has become in the past few years, and we're afraid it's going to be taken advantage of. It's important for the public to have access to accurate information to make informed decisions.
NOW: DOH gives updates on pandemic situation in the country. | via @bnzmagsambol
@bnzmagsambol Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reminds the public that booster doses against COVID-19 are for health workers for now. | via @bnzmagsambol
@bnzmagsambol Vergeire says that around 2,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered as booster shots for health workers as of November 17. | via @bnzmagsambol
LOOK: Around 3,000 pairs of ‘tsinelas’ are displayed across the National Mall in Washington, DC on Thursday, November 18.
Photos from Kabataan Alliance Facebook page
The ‘tsinelas’ action pays tribute to over 30,000 Filipinos who were killed in Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs as well as his administration’s crackdown on activists and community leaders.
The movement calls on US legislators to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act, which seeks to suspend the provision of security assistance to the Philippines until its government makes certain reforms to its military and police forces.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, running mate Willie Ong, and senatorial slate hosted in Calauan, Laguna by its mayor Buenafrido Berris. #WeDecide#PHVote | via @piaranada
@piaranada Moreno says, if elected, he will impose 2-year moratorium on land conversion of agricultural lands. #PHVote#WeDecide | via @piaranada
@piaranada Moreno says 50% of extra income of local governments due to Mandanas ruling should be used as loans for farmers, vegetable growers.
This is an expansion of his earlier plan to use bigger LGU tax share from Mandanas ruling to help small businesses, farmers. | via @piaranada
@RalfRivas Haus Talk will offer 500 million common shares at up to P1.50/share. The shares will be listed and traded on the SME Board of the PSE.
The real estate developer expects to net up to P723 million from the offer. Proceeds will be used for land acquisition, project dev't.
@RalfRivas EEI will offer 40 million non-voting perpetual preferred shares at an offer price of P100, with an oversubscription option of up to 20 million preferred shares.
EEI could net up to P5.948 billion.
Proceeds will be used to partially finance projects, pay loans, capex.
LOOK: Presidential aspirant and VP Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen Kiko Pangilinan recently meet with retired military generals on national security issues. #PHVote#WeDecide
@maracepeda Robredo: Had a comprehensive and fruitful discussion with several retired generals of the AFP on major aspects of national security. #PHVote#WeDecide | via @maracepeda
@maracepeda Robredo: The expert views of these generals and respected military strategists are very much appreciated, as we recognize that with threats both present and evolving, we need an institutional, comprehensive, and deliberate approach to national security. #PHVote#WeDecide
Detained opposition senator Leila de Lima, who is seeking reelection in 2022, says she’s grateful to presidential aspirant and VP Leni Robredo for visiting her today in Camp Crame. #PHVote#WeDecide | via @maracepeda
@maracepeda De Lima: I’m deeply humbled and elated by VP Leni’s visit today. Despite her grueling schedule, I am very grateful that she has spent some of her time checking on my condition here at the PNP Custodial Center. #PHVote#WeDecide | via @maracepeda
@maracepeda De Lima: Talagang nakakataba ng puso na makita at makasama ang ating susunod at karapat-dapat na maging Presidente. I’m happy to know that she’s doing very well, at maganda ang takbo ng kanyang pag-iikot. #PHVote#WeDecide | via @maracepeda