The House of Representatives expressed their support for a bigger budget for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) slashed the commission’s budget for 2023.
The DBM is proposing a P118,326,000 budget for CHR for 2023. The agency’s budget in 2022 was P964,703,00. The agency has already appealed to Congress for reconsideration.
“Madame Chair, I would like to manifest my support. Full support, to increase the budget of the CHR for 2023. Increase, hindi pa nga ibalik sa dati, kung hindi i-increase. Kung hindi man i-match sa 2022 budget, at least increase po natin ito,” said Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas during the House Committee on Appropriations budget hearing.
Other lawmakers who supported Brosas were Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, AKO Bikol Partylist Rep. Raul Bongalon, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman (1st District, Albay), Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel and ACT Partylist Rep. France Castro.
“While the entire budget of our country was increased by 5%, from five trillion to five point two six eight trillion, we see the Commission on Human Rights being decreased. That is why, I am going to therefore move for the approval of your budget, following Congresswoman Brosas’ statement… I move to increase the budget of the CHR by at least 200 million,” said Rodriguez.
— Ronald Espartinez