Today, we join the global community in the observance of the International Human Rights Day as declared by the United Nations (UN) with the theme “EQUALITY: Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights.”
The Philippines is a signatory to the Universal Declaration on Human Rights that was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. As such, the country is committed to champion the inalienable rights of every person “regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
As governor of Sorsogon, my administration has always been committed to advancing both the civil and political rights of all Sorsoganons. Thus, we strive to provide them with transparent leadership, good governance and genuine public service as we improve the quality of their lives and wellbeing.
As a lawmaker since 1998, the passing of several pieces of legislation that have advanced the promotion of human rights has been part of my agenda. In the Senate, while I was chair of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the country saw the enactment of vital laws that provided social and human rights protection to the Filipino people.
These included the Anti-Vagrancy Law (Republic Act 10158), the Anti-Torture Act (RA 9745) and the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act (RA 10353), which became Asia’s first “desaparecidos” law that made the crime of enforced disappearance punishable by imprisonment, and the Human Rights Victims and Recognition Act of 2013 (RA 10368), which took cognizant of the heroism and sacrifices of Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance, and other gross human rights violations during the Martial Law years in the country.
As a public servant, my thoughts and deeds will always consider the welfare of every Filipino by reducing inequality and advancing human rights.
Let us take this occasion, therefore, to renew our vow as a nation to uphold the human rights of our fellow countrymen. Mabuhay ang Karapatang Pantao!