House budget debates: CHR gets only

P1,000 for 2018

(2nd UPDATE) The House votes 119-32, giving the CHR only P1,000 for 2018. The budget will
be forwarded to the Senate for another round of deliberations.

Bea Cupin
@beacupin

Published 5:38 PM, September 12, 2017

Updated 10:52 PM, September 13, 2017

CHR BUDGET. The House votes to give the commission only P1,000 for 2018. Rappler
file photo

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – After a heated debate on a cold and rainy afternoon, the
House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 12, voted to allocate only P1,000 to the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) for 2018.

Acting on a motion by SAGIP Representative Rodante Marcoleta, 119 voted in favor of giving
the Constitutional body a measly P1,000 for the coming year. 32 legislators, a mix of majority,
minority, and opposition members, voted against it.

Based on an initial count by House plenary staff, and video footage from the voting itself, the
following lawmakers voted against Marcoleta's motion to slash the CHR budget:

1.

1. Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano

2. Buhay Representative Lito Atienza

3. Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao

4. Quezon City 3rd District Representative Jorge Banal

5. Quezon City 6th District Representative Jose Christopher Belmonte

6. Capiz 1st District Representative Emmanuel Billones

7. Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado

8. Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas

9. Cebu 2nd District Representative Wilfredo Caminero

10. Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao

11. ACT Teachers Representative France Castro

12. Northern Samar 1st District Representative Raul Daza

13. Gabriela Representative Emmi de Jesus

14. Cebu City 1st District Representative Raul del Mar

15. Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago

16. Marikina 1st District Representative Bayani Fernando

17. Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence Fortun

18. Baguio City Representative Mark Go

19. Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman

20. Negros Oriental 1st District Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong

21. Agusan del Sur 2nd District Representative Evelyn Mellana

22. Manila 6th District Representative Rosenda Ann Ocampo

23. Lapu-Lapu City Representative Aileen Radaza

24. Siquijor Representative Rav Rocamora

25. Maguindanao 1st District Representative Bai Sandra Sema

26. ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio

27. Nueva Ecija 3rd District Representative Rosanna Vergara

28. Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin

 29. Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate

30. Bukidnon 3rd District Representative Manuel Zubiri

(This article will be updated as the full list of the breakdown of votes is released)

No official tally of the votes exist on House records.

"There is no such record as voting was by ayes and nays, which was ultimately done with
members standing to vote when the nays challenged the ruling of the chair that the ayes had it,"
explained Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st district Representative Rodolfo Fariñas.

This does not mean, however, that the CHR is sure to get only P1,000 for the coming fiscal year.
The budget will be forwarded to the Senate for another round of deliberations.

If the two houses of Congress have different versions of the proposed budget, they will have to
be reconciled through a bicameral conference committee that will consist of representatives of
both the House and the Senate.

Not doing its job?

The measly P1,000 budget should not come as a surprise.

No less than House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, during committee debates over the proposed
CHR budget, said the Constitutional body should get no budget for 2018, citing its supposed
failure to perform.

On Monday, September 11, he said the House would be giving the agency a P1,000-budget,
insisting that the CHR was not doing its job.

Hours before the House passed the measly budget, the Senate approved the CHR's proposed
budget at the committee level. (READ: Senate committee okays CHR budget for 2018)

The CHR has been the focus of criticism, particularly from President Rodrigo Duterte, following
its statements against the ongoing war on drugs.

The Commission has repeatedly expressed concern over deaths linked to the drug war,
specifically those which they claim were unjustified. It is still reviewing cases of police kills and
homicides with alleged links to the drug trade. – Rappler.com
Who is Rodante Marcoleta, the man behind
the motion for CHR's P1,000-budget?
SAGIP Representative Rodante Marcoleta believes the Commission on Human Rights is not
'validly created' even if its creation is provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Jodesz Gavilan
@jodeszgavilan

Published 5:14 PM, September 13, 2017

Updated 6:26 PM, September 13, 2017

MOTION. The House of Representative acts on the motion by SAGIP Partylist

Representative Rodante Marcoleta to give the CHR a P1,000-budget. Rappler file
photo

MANILA, Philippines – Majority of the House of Representatives voted to give the Commission
on Human Rights a measly P1,000 for its 2018 budget upon the motion of SAGIP Representative
Rodante Marcoleta.
During the interpellation, Marcoleta slammed the CHR for deferring “more to the United Nations
special rapporteur,” further questioning why it didn’t protect the human rights of President
Rodrigo Duterte when he was criticized for his bloody war on drugs.

The legislator who represents the urban poor, at least according to his party mission, didn’t stop
there. Among other things, he claimed that the CHR has not been validly created – even if the
Constitution provides for it. (READ:How the House voted for a P1,000 CHR budget)

CHR, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, is tasked to investigate allegations of

human rights abuses by state actors such as the military or police. It acts as a check-and-balance
against government abuses.

But who is Marcoleta – the legislator who moved to give the CHR a budget below what it needs
amid human rights violations in the administration's brutal war on drugs?

Member of the INC

Marcoleta represents 1-SAGIP and is a member of PDP-Laban. He was elected SAGIP
representative in 2016. SAGIP, according to its website, envisions a pro-poor Philippines.

He is no stranger to legislative work. Prior to SAGIP, Marcoleta used to represent the Alagad
partylist. He held the position from 2004 to 2007 and 2009 until 2013.

Marcoleta wasn’t always part of the majority, however. In October 2016, he joined more than
250 lawmakers in the supermajority allied with Duterte.

He used to be part of the “Legitimate 8” or the House minority bloc which was formed to protest
Quezon 3rd District Representative Danilo Suarez's controversial win as House Minority Leader.
The members regarded themselves as the "true" fiscalizers in the House of Representatives.

Marcoleta was even quoted as saying during a press conference in July 2016, “Affected na
affected ako na ang rule ay puwedeng baluktutin!” (I am very affected that rules can be easily
twisted.)

Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman even called him an “outstanding member” of
the bloc – different from the legislator who misunderstood the role of CHR.

Why did he leave? According to Lagman, they were told that “his church wanted him to join the
majority.”

The church he was referring to is the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) which has been involved
in controversies in past years. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

Marcoleta’s former party, Alagad, was also associated with the INC. (READ: Iglesia ni Cristo,
Corona, and the RH bill)

INC, who practices block voting, alsoendorsed the candidacy of Duterte together with former
senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr during the 2016 national elections.

The INC and its members also vehemently opposed then justice secretary and now detained
Senator Leila de Lima. She used to head the CHR and is one of Duterte’s harshest critics.
(READ: Why De Lima is target of Iglesia ni Cristo's anger)

SAGIP, CHR Goals

In the halls of Congress, Marcoleta's partylist championed the plight of the poorest Filipinos.

SAGIP also aims to pursue legislation to uplift the lives of indigents and marginalized, foster
socio-economic development for inclusive growth, to help bring about quality education and a
universal health care system, and to harmoniously work with agencies in the delivery of social
protection programs.

The goals of SAGIP no doubt are aligned with what CHR wants to uphold. (READ: Things to
know: Human rights in the Philippines)

As stated in the Constitution, the Commission is tasked to make sure the government respects
and helps fulfill the rights of its citizens. These rights include the right to education and right to
adequate living standards, among others. (READ: Hate human rights? They protect freedoms
you enjoy)

The similarity in their goals is also evident in the way he worked in Congress.

Marcoleta voted against the return of thedeath penalty, similar to the stand of the CHR. He also
voted in favor of free tuition in college and the highly controversial Reproductive Health bill. He
is also one of the co-authors of the free basic medicine services for Filipinos and the magna carta
for the poor, among others.

But something happened that made Marcoleta take on a different track.

That the CHR will receive the measly amount for its 2018 budget is not yet final. Senators have
expressed their desire to defend the almost P678-million funding the Commission has proposed.

Most of the public, meanwhile, have slammed those who voted for the P1,000 budget. With
the outpour of criticism by constituents and several human rights organizations, each of the more
than 100 lawmakers are now moving to explain his or her vote. – Rappler.com

Who is Rodante Marcoleta, the man behind

the motion for CHR's P1,000-budget?
SAGIP Representative Rodante Marcoleta believes the Commission on Human Rights is not
'validly created' even if its creation is provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Jodesz Gavilan
@jodeszgavilan

Published 5:14 PM, September 13, 2017

Updated 6:26 PM, September 13, 2017

MOTION. The House of Representative acts on the motion by SAGIP Partylist

Representative Rodante Marcoleta to give the CHR a P1,000-budget. Rappler file
photo

MANILA, Philippines – Majority of the House of Representatives voted to give the Commission
on Human Rights a measly P1,000 for its 2018 budget upon the motion of SAGIP Representative
Rodante Marcoleta.
During the interpellation, Marcoleta slammed the CHR for deferring “more to the United Nations
special rapporteur,” further questioning why it didn’t protect the human rights of President
Rodrigo Duterte when he was criticized for his bloody war on drugs.

The legislator who represents the urban poor, at least according to his party mission, didn’t stop
there. Among other things, he claimed that the CHR has not been validly created – even if the
Constitution provides for it. (READ:How the House voted for a P1,000 CHR budget)

CHR, according to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, is tasked to investigate allegations of

human rights abuses by state actors such as the military or police. It acts as a check-and-balance
against government abuses.

But who is Marcoleta – the legislator who moved to give the CHR a budget below what it needs
amid human rights violations in the administration's brutal war on drugs?

Member of the INC

Marcoleta represents 1-SAGIP and is a member of PDP-Laban. He was elected SAGIP

representative in 2016. SAGIP, according to its website, envisions a pro-poor Philippines.

He is no stranger to legislative work. Prior to SAGIP, Marcoleta used to represent the Alagad
partylist. He held the position from 2004 to 2007 and 2009 until 2013.

Marcoleta wasn’t always part of the majority, however. In October 2016, he joined more than
250 lawmakers in the supermajority allied with Duterte.

He used to be part of the “Legitimate 8” or the House minority bloc which was formed to protest
Quezon 3rd District Representative Danilo Suarez's controversial win as House Minority Leader.
The members regarded themselves as the "true" fiscalizers in the House of Representatives.
Marcoleta was even quoted as saying during a press conference in July 2016, “Affected na
affected ako na ang rule ay puwedeng baluktutin!” (I am very affected that rules can be easily
twisted.)

Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman even called him an “outstanding member” of
the bloc – different from the legislator who misunderstood the role of CHR.

Why did he leave? According to Lagman, they were told that “his church wanted him to join the
majority.”

The church he was referring to is the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) which has been involved
in controversies in past years. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

Marcoleta’s former party, Alagad, was also associated with the INC. (READ: Iglesia ni Cristo,
Corona, and the RH bill)

INC, who practices block voting, alsoendorsed the candidacy of Duterte together with former
senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr during the 2016 national elections.

The INC and its members also vehemently opposed then justice secretary and now detained
Senator Leila de Lima. She used to head the CHR and is one of Duterte’s harshest critics.
(READ: Why De Lima is target of Iglesia ni Cristo's anger)

SAGIP, CHR Goals

In the halls of Congress, Marcoleta's partylist championed the plight of the poorest Filipinos.

SAGIP also aims to pursue legislation to uplift the lives of indigents and marginalized, foster
socio-economic development for inclusive growth, to help bring about quality education and a
universal health care system, and to harmoniously work with agencies in the delivery of social
protection programs.

The goals of SAGIP no doubt are aligned with what CHR wants to uphold. (READ: Things to
know: Human rights in the Philippines)

As stated in the Constitution, the Commission is tasked to make sure the government respects
and helps fulfill the rights of its citizens. These rights include the right to education and right to
adequate living standards, among others. (READ: Hate human rights? They protect freedoms
you enjoy)

The similarity in their goals is also evident in the way he worked in Congress.
Marcoleta voted against the return of thedeath penalty, similar to the stand of the CHR. He also
voted in favor of free tuition in college and the highly controversial Reproductive Health bill. He
is also one of the co-authors of the free basic medicine services for Filipinos and the magna carta
for the poor, among others.

But something happened that made Marcoleta take on a different track.

That the CHR will receive the measly amount for its 2018 budget is not yet final. Senators have
expressed their desire to defend the almost P678-million funding the Commission has proposed.

Most of the public, meanwhile, have slammed those who voted for the P1,000 budget. With
the outpour of criticism by constituents and several human rights organizations, each of the more
than 100 lawmakers are now moving to explain his or her vote. – Rappler.com