The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has asserted that its ₱1 million confidential fund under the proposed 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) would not be sufficient if the number of human rights violation victims facing life-threatening risks increases.
During the Senate Committee on Finance hearing on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-Latoc said that among the agency’s “wish list” is to expand and increase the confidential fund to ₱4 million.
“[May] 1 million… Hindi siya kasya actually, Your Honor. It’s a good thing that right now, there’s no persons at risk under the protection of the Commission on Human Rights. But in case the numbers surge, we would require more resources for that,” Palpal-Latoc explained.
He defined persons at risk (PAR) as victims or families of victims of human rights violations who may be facing threats as a result of their cases.
“Sa ngayon wala kaming PAR na pinoprotektahan sa aming komisyon. But there are victims of course because of the cases being filed, their claims of violations. Pero ‘yung actual threats or imminent threats to the security, life, and safety of the victims or families of victims, sa ngayon po ay wala,” he said.
“If there are PAR, we would be using these funds for [them],” he added.
Palpal-Latoc clarified that the CHR’s confidential fund is not solely used for security measures but also for gathering information and engaging various sectors to develop and implement human rights-related programs and activities.
According to the CHR chief, the agency requested a total of ₱2.190 billion for fiscal year 2026, but only ₱1.297 billion was approved in the NEP — a 40.76% reduction. In 2025, CHR received ₱1.140 billion under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The commission also appealed for an increase in the financial assistance program for victims and families of human rights violations — from ₱16 million in the NEP to ₱51.810 million.
“In the previous years, we were constrained to reduce the amount from the original rate of ₱30,000 to ₱10,000 per victim or per case because we cannot sustain the program if we maintain the ₱30,000 threshold,” Palpal-Latoc said.
During the hearing, Senate finance committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian asked the CHR about the purpose of the financial aid program, noting that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) already has a similar initiative.
In response, the CHR clarified, “It’s a recognition, Your Honor, that there’s a violation of the rights of the victim. It’s sort of not a compensation, but more of a recognition, actually, a support of the victims.”