The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the entire Filipino nation in commemoration of the International Day of Democracy today, September 15, and the Rule of Law Month.
The rule of law is the foundation of a healthy and flourishing democracy. We are reminded in this celebration of the vast links between justice and accountability, and its direct effect on human rights. At a time when these principles are at risk of erosion due to disinformation and the weakening of checks and balances, it becomes ever more urgent to safeguard truth, strengthen civic spaces, and uphold accountability as cornerstones of a just and dignified society.
This year’s observance of the International Day of Democracy, with the theme “From Voice to Action,” the Commission echoes the resounding call for States to transform the calls of the civil society into meaningful reforms, thereby ensuring that every voice contributes to shaping a society grounded in justice, equality, and respect for human rights.
Compounded with the Philippines’ commemoration of the Rule of Law Month, as declared through Proclamation No. 713, s. 2004, CHR likewise reminds the country’s officials that we are all duty-bound to ensure that everyone is accountable under the law and that it is applied fairly and justly regardless of status, race, and gender, among others.
This matter becomes even more pressing, as the Philippines currently ranks 99th over 142 countries in the 2024 World Justice Project.[1] With a rating of 0.46—falling below the global average of 0.55—the country remains stalled from its full realization of ensuring equal access to justice, dismantling the culture of impunity, and protecting civic spaces. In times of political, social, and economic uncertainty, the rule of law is not merely a legal safeguard but a moral compass that keeps societies anchored in justice and equality.
As we commemorate these observances, let this be a call to all stakeholders—government, civil society, and citizens alike—to stand firm in defending the principles of democracy and the rule of law. By doing so, we affirm that human rights are not privileges but inherent to all, and that the strength of democracy lies in ensuring that no one is above the law.
As the country’s independent national human rights institution, the Commission remains firm in its stance that democracy and the rule of law are inseparable from the protection of human rights—any attack against these principles is an assault to the dignity of every Filipino.
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