CEBU CITY -- The Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas (CHR-7) is not worried over the decision of the House of Representatives to give the agency a PHP1,000 budget for 2018.
CHR-7 chief investigator Leo Villarino said Wednesday they have anticipated this move by members of the House as they were even threatened of possible abolition of the agency.
Villarino said it's not possible for the CHR to be abolished as the agency is a constitutional body.
"The Constitution has to be amended first before the CHR can be abolished," Villarino declared.
However, Villarino said what the House did has the same effect as having the agency abolished as the CHR cannot be fully operational with only a PHP1,000 budget for the whole agency including all its regional offices.
But Villarino still believes reason will prevail among the senators, hoping that members of the House and the Senate who will comprise the Bicameral Conference will reconsider the decision of the House and give them the appropriate budget.
The Budget Department submitted a budget proposal of over PHP600 million for CHR for the coming fiscal year, but acting on the motion of Party List Representative Rodante Marcoleta (Sagip), the House on Tuesday slashed the budget to a measly PHP1,000 allocation.
At least 119 congressmen voted for the PHP1,000 budget for CHR, while 32 legislators -- including Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar, Cebu 2nd District Rep. Wilfredo Caminero, and Lapu-Lapu City lone district Rep. Aileen Radaza -- voted against.
Villarino said the measly budget will render the CHR virtually ineffective in its investigations.
Villarino, however, added that despite the "virtually zero" budget, the CHR-7 will still be doing their constitutional function, even without getting any compensation. (PNA)
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