| Type of parliamentary body |
Multifunctional |
| Nature |
Permanent |
| Related to chambers |
Senado
|
| Date of creation |
August 1987 |
| Last renewal date |
|
| Mandate |
Like all permanent or standing committees of the Congress, the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights is authorised to meet, deliberate and conduct inquiries, public hearings and investigations in order to prepare legislation, as mandated by the Philippines Constitution and the Rules of the Senate.
The Committee also has broad powers to monitor and evaluate the human rights situation in the country and the government's compliance with and respect for national laws and international agreements affecting human rights. The Committee can summon any government institution, NGO or individual to testify and furnish any information required.
Under the Rules, the Committee assumes broad jurisdiction over the area of human rights, and in addition over all matters relating to the organisation and administration of justice, civil courts, prisons and reform schools; probation; impeachment proceedings against constitutional officers and other officers removable by impeachment; registration of land titles; immigration and naturalisation; the implementation of the human rights provisions of the Constitution; and all matters pertaining to the efficiency and reforms in the prosecution service. [See Rule X, Section 13(15)]. |
| Membership |
Under the present Rules of the Senate, the Committee is authorised to have seven members. They are joined by three ex officio members, namely the Senate President pro tempore, the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate, again as provided in the Rules. Furthermore, following the Rules and Senate tradition, members of the majority are nominated by the majority leader while members of the minority are nominated by the minority leader, assuring proportional representation. Each member is elected in open plenary session. |
| Working methods |
The Committee, largely through the initiative of the Chair, formulates its own legislative agenda and other priorities, while taking account of the priority proposals coming from the Office of the President. Its proceedings are basically governed by the Rules of the Senate and the approved Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation.
As provided in the Rules, the Committee submits its reports on proposed legislation, and its findings and recommendations on inquiries, to the whole Chamber. The report must first be endorsed by at least a majority of both its regular and ex officio members and must include the recommendations of the secondary committees properly designated, if any. |
| Relations with other parliamentary bodies |
The Committee has the same status as the other permanent Senate committees. With regard to broad or complex topics or issues, it often finds itself working with other committees in conducting its public hearings, inquiries and meetings. The Committee then submits its reports to the whole Chamber in plenary session. The Committee also works closely with its counterpart committees in the other chamber of Congress, the House of Representatives. |
| Relations with external bodies |
Since the Philippine Constitution implies an equilibrium between the three branches of government, this Committee, as an integral part of Congress, maintains its independence from other governmental institutions particularly the Department of Justice of the Executive Branch; the Supreme Court and the lower courts; special courts like the Sandiganbayan (Anti-Graft Court); the Ombudsman; and other constitutional bodies such as the Commission on Human Rights.
The Committee maintains its integrity and independence because of the need for it to exercise oversight functions by monitoring and overseeing the performance of the institutions mentioned above. However, Congress, through the Committee, often collaborates with these institutions in pursuing common goals and interests in relation to justice, human rights and the rule of law in society. |
| Subjects dealt with |
Because the Committee's jurisdiction is broad, covering both human rights and the administration of justice, the issues and topics that it tackles are also varied. The following have been the priority issues addressed by the Committee during t the 12th Congress: improving the administration of justice by upgrading the salaries and benefits of judges and court officers; amending the Ombudsman Act in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness; providing for dual citizenship for Filipinos; enhancing the administration of juvenile justice by establishing a comprehensive juvenile justice system and a delinquency prevention program; prohibiting the presentation to the press or the public of suspects in criminal investigations before cases are formally filed against them; abolishing the death penalty; and investigating reported human rights and violations allegedly committed in the conduct of military operations, particularly in Mindanao.
Currently, the Committee is handling Committee Report No. 4 on Senate Bill No. 1745 also known as the Human Rights Victims Compensation Act. This bill is pending approval on 2nd reading and is undergoing a period of amendments.
- On February 23, 2009, the Committee on Justice and Human Rights submitted Committee Report No. 246 regarding the probe on purported acquittal of cases involving heinous crimes through alleged bribery and influence peddling in the National Prosecution Service.
- On December 17, 2008, the Committee submitted Committee Report No.235 with the title "AN ACT PENALIZING DISOBEDIENCE TO THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS".
- On October 7, 2008, the Committee jointly with Committees on Agrarian Reform; Finance; and Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, submitted Committee Report No. 108 recommending Senate Bill No. 2666, prepared jointly by the Committees, entitled: "AN ACT STREGHTENING THE COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM (CARP), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6657, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW OF 1988' AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE".
- On 21 May 2008, the Committee jointly with the Committees on Youth, Women and Family Relations submitted Committee Report No.55 recommending Senate Bill No. 2317 with the title: "AN ACT PROHIBITING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR THE COMMISSION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
- On 20 May 2008, the Committee and the Committee on Local Government recommended Senate Bill No. 1160 entitled: "AN ACT TO STREGHTEN PHILIPPINE COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION AND PROTECTION BY ESTABLISHING HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
- On 2 June 2008, the Committee submitted Committee Report No.65 recommending Senate Bill No. 2357 entitled: "AN ACT PENALIZING PHOTO AND VIDEO VOYEURISM".
- On 2 June 2008, the Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means submitted Committee Report No.67 recommending Senate Bill No. 2301, entitled: "AN ACT PROVIDING A MECHANISM FOR FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES".
- On 2 June 2008, the Committee submitted Committee Report No. 64 recommending Senate Bill No.2356, entitled: " AN ACT PENALIZING ANY MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE WHO FAILS OR REFUSES TO TESTIFY AS A WITNESS IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS".
- On 7 May 2008, the Committee together with the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revisions of Codes and Laws submitted Committee Report No.65 recommending Senate Bill No.1836, entitled: "AN ACT ADDRESSING THE SYSTEM OF PROSTITUTION, IMPOSING PENALITIES ON ITS PERPETRATORS, PROVIDING PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ITS VICTIMS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLE 202 AND 341 OF THE PENAL CODE".
- On 19 December 2008, the Committee together with the Committee on Finance submitted Committee Report No.28 recommending Senate Bill No.1978, entitled: "AN ACT PENALIZING TORTURE AND OTHR CRUEL, INHUMAN AND DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES".
- On 18 December 2007, the Committee together with the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws, submitted Committee Report No.26 recommending Senate Bill No.1965, entitled "AN ACT DECRIMINALIZING VAGRANCY AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ARTICLE 202 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE".
- On 20 November 2007, the Committee with the Committee on Finance submitted Committee Report No.20 recommending Senate Bill No.1532, entitled "AN ACT PROVIDING COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE MARCOS REGIME, DOCUMENTATION OF SAID VIOLATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
- On 25 September 2007, the Committee with the Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, submitted Committee Report No.2 recommending Joint Resolution No.4, entitled "JOINT RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ), THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG), ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TASKED TO ENFORCE PEACE AND ORDER TO ISSUE RULES AND REGULATIONS ON PRESENTATION OF SUSPECT UNDER THEIR CUSTODY TO THE MEDIA."
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| CONTACT INFORMATION |
| Main address |
Senate of the Philippines
GSIS Bldg., Financial Center
PASAY CITY |
| Phone |
+632 552 66 01 to 70 |
| Fax |
... |
| E-mail |
... |
| Website |
www.senatejusticeandhumanrights.com
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|
PRESIDING OFFICER(S)
|
| Name |
Mr. Francis G. Escudero |
| Notes |
President |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+632 833 50 34, +632 833 87 65 |
| Fax |
+632 833 87 65, +632 552 68 50 |
| E-mail |
sen.escudero@gmail.com; reachus@chizescudero.com |
| Website |
|
|
SECRETARY
|
| Name |
Ms. Jane M. Arzadon |
| Notes |
Secretary |
| Address (if different from above) |
|
| Phone |
+632 552 66 01, loc. 318 |
| Fax |
+632 552 67 50, +632 552 68 88 |
| E-mail |
... |
| web site: |
...
|
| Notes |
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