Creating the Technical Working Group on Human Rights

March 28, 2016

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 17-2016

CREATING THE TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON HUMAN RIGHTS

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution articulates the policy that "[t]he State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights";

WHEREAS, the Philippines adopted generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights drafted by the United Nations;

WHEREAS, under Article VIII, Section 5.5, the Supreme Court is mandated to promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights and legal assistance to the under-privileged;

WHEREAS, considering the increase in several human rights policy issues that are being brought before the Court, including by the media and international human rights organizations, there is a need to create a technical working group to evaluate all concerns and recommendations relative to the safeguarding of constitutional rights and said human rights policy issues.

NOW THEREFORE, the Technical Working Group on Human Rights is hereby created and constituted as follows:

Chairperson:	Hon. Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang
	Presiding Justice, Sandiganbayan
Vice-Chairperson:	Hon. Sarah Jane Fernandez
	Associate Justice, Sandiganbayan
Member:	Hon. Cleto R. Villacorta III
	Regional Trial Court, Branch 229, Quezon City
Secretariat:	Atty. Mary Jean D. Valderama
	Atty. Ernesto Mario S. Mascenon Jr.
	Office of Presiding Justice Cabotaje-Tang

The Technical Working Group (TWG) shall have the following functions and duties:

1. List all existing laws, rules, regulations, and other relevant issuances pertaining to human rights policy issues, falling under the mandate of the Judiciary;

2. Receive, review and evaluate current systems and procedures, propose improvements thereto, and recommend mechanisms in addressing human rights policy issues pending before the Court;

3. Provide recommendations and propose policy guidelines to the Committee on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, to the Office of the Chief Justice, and/or the Supreme Court En Banc to streamline and expedite procedures relative to the facilitation of human rights issues and cases pending before the Court; ATICcS

4. Cause the preparation of all relevant periodical reports;

5. Monitor compliance with existing rules and practices designed to assess the effectiveness of mechanisms used by the Court in addressing human rights issues (e.g., period reports submitted by the lower courts in relation to issuances of writs of habeas corpus and habeas data);

6. Develop relevant training materials, in coordination with the Philippine Judicial Academy, to heighten the level of awareness and enhance the capacity of judges and judiciary personnel in addressing human rights issues;

7. Develop a multi-year workplan that shall incorporate the functions and duties herein listed and such other relevant programs, projects and activities (PPA), to be submitted to the Chief Justice within one (1) month from the creation of the TWG. The work plan shall include description of each PPA, its expected outcome or output, budget requirements, and focal persons; and

8. Perform such functions as may be directed by the Chief Justice or by the Court and those that are inherent, incidental or essential to the accomplishment of its above duties and objectives.

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Members and Members of the Secretariat of the Committee shall receive the usual expense allowances.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its issuance this 28th day of March 2016.

(SGD.) MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENOChief Justice

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIOSenior Associate Justice

(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.Associate Justice