Budget woes force CHR to cut aid to rights victims

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it was forced to reduce financial assistance for human rights victims over budget constraints in recent years, while appealing for higher funding to support programs in 2026.

“In the previous years we were constrained to reduce the amount from the original rate of P30,000 to P10,000 per victim or per case because we cannot sustain the program if we maintain the 30,000 threshold,” CHR Chairman Richard Palpal-Latoc said during a Senate budget hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The CHR originally requested P2.19 billion for next year, but the Department of Budget and Management approved only nearly half or P1.297 billion in the National Expenditure Program.

Of this amount, the CHR recommended P51 million for financial assistance, but was substantially reduced to only P16 million.

Papal-Latoc said this amount would mean determining financial aid based on the gravity of the violation.

“It’s a recognition that there’s a violation of the rights of the victim not a compensation but more of a recognition,” he said.

Senator Win Gatchalian, chairperson of the finance committee, suggested tapping into the funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support the assistance program.

Palpal-Latoc the agency’s coordination with the DSWD is mainly on providing psychosocial services to victims and their families.

The commission also requested P4 million in confidential funds but was granted only P1 million. Palpal-Latoc said this would be insufficient if a victim facing threats is placed under CHR protection.

Despite funding limitations, Gatchalian commended the CHR for its “very efficient” resolution of cases — from 28,519 pending complaints as of 2024 to just 3,438 in the first semester.

Palpal-Latoc said most of the cases involve civil and political rights violations, though there was a significant decline in such complaints in recent years.

The CHR budget cleared the committee and would be submitted to the plenary, where amendments can still be made.