DOJ bucks measure giving CHR limitless probe period

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked Congress to remove the provision of a proposed bill giving the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) limitless period of investigation.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima urged the House committee on human rights chaired by Surigao del Norte Rep. Guillermo Romarate Jr. to delete Section 18 of House Bill 238 or “An Act Strengthening the Commission on Human Rights and For Other Purposes.”

The measure is authored by Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos.

Section 18 of the bill covers the imprescriptibility of human rights violations, by which the investigation will not be subject to limitations or prescriptive period.

“We reiterate our position to delete Section 18 of HB 238. While we recognize the CHR’s right to investigate, it should be taken in au fait with the core intention of why an investigation is being conducted, and that is to determine the probable cause whether or not human rights violation has been committed and to serve justice to both victim and perpetrator at the end,” De Lima said.

“Under the realm of practicability, this provision serves no other purpose than a sword of Damocles hanging over the head of any accused in perpetuity and without closure, which is a clear violation of the constitutional right of the accused to fair trial and presumption of innocence until proven otherwise, not to mention the prescriptive limitation provided under Article 90 and 91 of the Revised Penal Code,” she said. – Evelyn Macairan