AS THE Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) marks its 70th anniversary on Monday, December 10, Malacañang guaranteed that the Duterte government continues to advance human rights that "truly values and responds to the needs of Filipinos."
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, chair of the Presidential Human Rights Committee, touted the current administration's resolve to advocate for and protect human rights in the Philippines.
He stressed that the government's acknowledgment of human rights was reflected in the country's re-election to the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council in October.
Medialdea issued the statement as the Philippines joins the global observance of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of UDHR.
"Every administration has its own emphasis and approach in its effort to make human rights real for our people. Today, we further human rights in the era of President Rodrigo Roa Durterte along relevant paths reflected in our theme for this year's observance: 'Protecting Human Lives, Uplifting Human Dignity, and Advancing People, Progress,'" he said.
"Indeed, our celebration of seven decades of the UDHR reflects our confidence that we are advancing human rights that truly values and responds to the needs of Filipinos," Medialdea added.
The Philippines on December 10, 1948 adopted the UDHR, a landmark instrument that aims to promote universal respect for, and the observance of, human rights.
Medialdea said the government remains bent on protecting the lives of the "innocent law-abiding citizens of the country" by pushing for a relentless crusade against "criminality, corruption, terrorism, insurgency, and the proliferation of illegal drugs that destroy families and the future of the young."
"In all these, the rule of law is upheld as the guilty are brought before the bar of justice," he said.
He made the remark even after Duterte was accused of committing human rights violations for allegedly sanctioning the deaths of nearly 5,000 suspected drug offenders since he assumed office in 2016.
Duterte is currently facing two communications before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for supposedly committing crimes against humanity, in connection with his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs.
In February, ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda began the preliminary examination of Duterte's alleged human rights violations attributed to his anti-narcotics drive, prompting Duterte to withdraw the Philippines's membership from the international court on March 14.
Medialdea likewise noted that the Philippines has signed eight core human rights treaties, which were incorporated in domestic laws and policies, since the adoption of the human rights document.
"By effectively implementing responsive programs that broaden people's access to education, healthcare, employment, shelter, food, and basic utilities and services, the government fulfills its aspiration or a respectable standard of living that benefits the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in Philippine society," he said.
"The government is resolute in uplifting the dignity of every Filipino. Finally, the government is determined to work for sustainable progress that will better the lives of our people and their communities," he added.
He also assured the public that the government, in a quest for economic development, would undertake "aggressive horizontal and vertical infrastructure development" to encourage more internal and external investments and partnerships. (SunStar Philippines)