PH reaffirms ‘continuing’ commitment to human rights

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com of justice. Remulla addressed the Human Rights Council 52nd Regular Session in Geneva, Switzerland and enumerated the Philippines’ progress in human rights reforms under the Marcos administration.

MANILA — The Philippines has reaffirmed its “solemn” and “continuing” commitment to human rights for all, but rejects any disturbance to its bureaucratic structures while the government embarks on justice and prison reforms to fix its criminal justice system.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday, March 1 that the Philippines was pursuing a comprehensive reform agenda to ensure that the rule of law prevailed, and that every Filipino was afforded fair administration

Marcos, Anwar agree to bring South China Sea disputes to Asean

by Daphne Galvez Inquirer.net

He said the case build-up rule had been drafted, which requires a higher level of proof for preliminary investigations in criminal cases, and closer cooperation between prosecutors and law enforcement.

To decongest penal institutions, he said the monthly releases of an average of 500 inmates had been orchestrated, noting that new guidelines had been issued which significantly lowered the bail bond for indigents accused

MANILA — Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim have agreed to bring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Anwar said on Wednesday, March 1 that he and Marcos discussed the South China Sea disputes at a bilateral meeting in Malacañang Palace.

He said he agreed with Marcos that the issue should be discussed through Asean to help in reaching an amicable resolution.

“We did discuss the South China issue and I shared President Marcos Jr.’s concern that due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, we should try and engage and take the position at a multilateral level between Asean so that we have a comprehensive approach and achieve an amicable resolution to this outstanding problem,” Anwar said following the meeting.