Human rights advocates and members of the Truth Commission (TC) listen to Mariza Hamoy, mother of 17-year-old Darwin Pasiluna Hamoy, as she testifies during the TC’s 2nd Public Truth-Telling Session on drug war killings at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center along UN Avenue in Manila on Thursday, August 27, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) aims to have 140 drug war-related cases for disposition by the end of the year, according to the CHR's budget sponsor, Representative Ma. Cristina Talavera-Lopez.
This is out of 289 cases for reinvestigation in 2025.
"The commission has identified 493 cases for reinvestigation in 2024, and the task force has directed 289 cases reinvestigated in 2025. Of these 289 reinvestigated cases, 140 cases are currently for disposition by the task force," Talavera-Lopez said.
"The task force has also successfully reviewed and evaluated these cases, identified for reinvestigation, and has begun drafting the corresponding resolution for disposition. So this process remains ongoing with the commission committed to completing the disposition of these cases by the end of this year," Talavera-Lopez added.
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Tinio said he also received communication from the CHR's chairperson saying he will be given an official report on the 140 drug war-related cases.
"In a communication to this representation, the chair of CHR, Richard Palpal-latoc, mentioned that the CHR would provide an official report on the 140 po ang sabi rito– 140 drug war-related cases for disposition slash resolution," ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio said.
CHR AGAINST BECOMING DDB BOARD MEMBER
The CHR cannot sit as a regular member of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) as it must maintain its independence, according to Talavera-Lopez.
Before this, 4K party-list Representative Iris Montes asked about a suggestion to include the CHR in the DDB.
"During the budget deliberations of the Dangerous Drugs Board, the sponsor, Congressman Marcy Teodoro, made mention of the necessity to include the Commission on Human Rights as a part of the Dangerous Drugs Board. If ever we include the CHR in the DDB, of course, by way of an amendment to the law creating the DDB, how do you envision your role in shaping drug-related policy?" Montes asked.
Talavera-Lopez said the CHR was willing to simply be an "observer," but not a member of the board.
"The DDB has not engaged with CHR, but the CHR is more willing to be an observer po… Kasi po drug use is currently being over-criminalized where users who need services to address their dependence or use are instead treated as criminals in jails," Talavera-Lopez said.
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Montes then questioned the CHR's position given the supposed connection between some human rights violations and illegal drugs.
Talavera-Lopez replied, "We cannot because we have to maintain our independence po… We can contribute po, Madam Chair, but we cannot sit as a regular member of the board, as an independent body. So 'yan po 'yung mandato sa atin ng konstitusyon."
"I'm with you sa karapatan po ng lahat ng ating mga vulnerable sectors. But siyempre po, CHR is not a part of the executive. But we can monitor, and we are the adviser of the government," Talavera-Lopez added.
The 1987 constitution states the CHR will monitor the government's compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights.