The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) celebrated its 20 th Foundation Day last May 5, 2007.

In connection with this, some activities for May 4 were held. Focusing on the theme “Usapang Karapatan Para sa Halalan”, a two-part program took place at the CHR premises. The first part was the Ceremonial Signing of the Contract between The European Commission and the Commission on the Human Rights of the Philippines in connection with the project dubbed “Enhancing the Role of National Human Rights Institutions in the Development of ASEAN Human Rights Mechanisms”. Officials from the European Commission, headed by Ambassador Alistair B. MacDonald, attended the contract signing.

The aims of the project include the following: (1) to contribute towards raising the awareness among ASEAN governments and the public of the importance of establishing an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism; (2) to contribute towards the improvement of human rights standards in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia centered on human rights issues of common concern to the ASEAN region; and specifically, (3) to concretize the collaborative mechanism of existing National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to establish best practice and a building block towards the establishment of the ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism. After the grant signing, an open forum followed where questions from the members of the media were entertained.

After the formal launching of the EU project the “KAPIHAN SA CHR” followed where Senatorial Candidates from Team Unity, Genuine Opposition as well as other candidates from other parties running for seats in the Senate were invited. They were invited to present their platform/agenda concerning human rights issues. So far, Congressman `Chiz’ Escudero accepted the invitation and attended the affair. On the other hand, Tonypet Albano, Spokesperson for Team Unity likewise was present during the celebration along

with party list representative Ms. Rina Jimenez-David of `Abanse Pinay’ and Mr. Dante “Klink” Ang, party list representative of `Ahon Pinoy’

A similar ‘Kapihan sa CHR’ was also be duplicated in all the Commission’s Regional Offices nationwide. Chairperson Quisumbing directed all CHR Regional Directors to mobilize their officials and staff to be visibly present in the various monitoring stages of the forthcoming election.

Last April 18, the CHR inked a Memorandum of Agreement with (MOA) the National Press Club (NPC) and the Filipino Alliance Movement-Support Group (FAM-SG) to act as partners in monitoring the coming May 14 mid-election elections. Also present during the signing was the representative of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that acted as witness. The signatories in the said agreement shall mobilize their members nationwide and monitor the conduct of honest, open, peaceful and credible elections. Any irregularities in the conduct of the elections shall be documented by said organizations after which, the Commission and the parties to the agreement shall meet to assess the situation.