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PAHRA Demands Removal of Marcoleta as Senate Human Rights Committee Chair

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates) has called for the removal of Senator Rodante Marcoleta as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, condemning his election to the post as a “blatant insult” to victims of human rights violations and their families.

In a strongly worded statement, PAHRA criticized Marcoleta’s appointment to the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, saying the position should not be held by someone it described as having a record of opposing human rights accountability.

“A committee on Justice and Human Rights should never be led by a staunch ally of human rights violators,” the group said, adding that leadership of the panel requires a consistent commitment to justice, accountability, and protection of civil liberties.

PAHRA pointed to Marcoleta’s 2017 move to reduce the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to ₱1,000 following its investigations into killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, calling it an early indication of his stance on human rights institutions.

The group also reiterated its criticism of Marcoleta’s past statements dismissing drug war deaths as “collateral damage” and his rejection of international accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into alleged crimes against humanity.

“You cannot lead a committee like this when you attacked the CHR, defended the drug war, and most recently moved to shield Sen. Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa from accountability through Senate protective custody,” the group said, referring to recent Senate proceedings involving ICC-related developments.

PAHRA further argued that Marcoleta’s actions demonstrate what it called “institutional capture,” warning that bodies tasked with oversight and accountability risk being influenced by political interests instead of upholding justice.

The organization urged Senate leadership to reconsider Marcoleta’s position and called on him to step down from the chairmanship.

“The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights cannot become a safe space for enablers of impunity,” PAHRA said. “If the Senate is serious about justice and accountability, Marcoleta has no place leading that committee.”

📷: Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates

Bam Aquino Calls for Restoration of Public Trust in the Senate, Urges Focus on Economic and Education Reforms

Sen. Bam Aquino has called for the restoration of public trust in the Senate, stressing the need to shift attention back to urgent economic and social issues affecting ordinary Filipinos.

Amid recent events that have caused concern and frustration within the upper chamber, Aquino emphasized that rebuilding public confidence cannot be achieved through political tensions or internal conflicts, but through concrete action and effective governance.

“The trust of the people cannot be restored through politics or bickering, but through hard work and real solutions to long-standing problems experienced by ordinary Filipinos,” Aquino said in a statement.

He pointed to persistent challenges faced by many households, including rising prices of basic goods and fuel, unemployment, low wages, and other daily economic burdens. According to him, these issues should remain at the center of legislative priorities.

Aquino also reiterated his support for measures aimed at reducing the cost of living, including proposals to lower value-added tax (VAT) and remove excise taxes on petroleum products, which he said would help ease pressure on consumer prices.

On education reform, Aquino expressed hope that Sen. Loren Legarda, as the new chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, would help strengthen education funding and advance key measures already filed and supported in previous sessions.

Among these are the Classroom-Building Acceleration Program (CAP) Act, the GIDA or Last Mile Schools Act, the Basic Education Voucher Program Act, and the National Nutrition Program Act, which aim to improve access to education, infrastructure, and student welfare.

Aquino underscored that effective leadership is ultimately measured by its impact on people’s lives.

“In the end, the true measure of our work is whether we are making life better for the Filipino people,” he said.

📷: Bam Aquino

'MAGKAPATID NA SINUNGALING!'

Kwatro Alas host Michael Fajatin on Wednesday, May 20, seemingly criticized the Cayetano siblings amid the continuing controversy surrounding the May 13 Senate incident, accusing them of dishonesty.

"Under attack tapos lumabas video na wala naman talaga. Walang nangamusta tapos lumabas mga messages na marami pala nangamusta," Fajatin said in a social media post.

"Magkapatid na sinungaling!" he added.

Fajatin also took aim at supporters defending the siblings, saying their posts now appear contradictory following the release of videos and screenshots circulating online.

"Kain-suka at lunok-luwa tuloy mga post ng mga tagapagtanggol nyo," he said.

"Kayo.. kaya pa ba? Muntanga na eh," he added.

Source: iMPACT Leadership