Arroyo told: Use remaining days in Palace to improve human rights

A human rights group on is challenging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make the most of her remaining days in Malacañang to improve the human rights situation in the Philippines. The appeal came after the Amnesty International released its 2009 annual global human rights report, which blamed the government for the continuing impunity in the Philippines, worsened by human rights violations committed both by the military and communist rebels. The Amnesty International-Philippines, at press conference in Quezon City, likewise, challenged president-apparent Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III to set up a government that is centered on easing human rights violations in the country. "There is still one month for Mrs. Arroyo to improve with its human rights legacy," said Aurora Parong, the group's section director, adding that the Arroyo administration should solve the "widening justice gap" in the Philippines. [See: Palace: Dismal human rights situation, just view of Amnesty International] As for Aquino, Parong urged the senator – who is enjoying a wide margin of votes over his rivals – to institute a "rights-based government that is not centered on business interests." Parong said they had presented to Aquino a five-point agenda, containing proposals on which human rights concerns the new administration must address. "There is a chance to engage all civil society groups as well as business corporations to ensure that all the benefits of the activities in the country would result in a people, a nation, and a Philippines where there is respect, protection, and fulfillment of human rights," she said. In response, lawyer Josel Mostajo, who represented Aquino in the event, assured that human rights protection is "embedded in Sen. Aquino's platform." "It is not enough that human rights should be represented in a manner wherein it will be a basis for accountability for its violation but more importantly, it must be emphasized that human rights is a vision for all our leaders," he said. Mostajo said an administration under Aquino would focus on the "democratic control" of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The military is among the government entities most commonly accused of violating human rights, through supposed torture and extra-judicial killings – allegations repeatedly denied by the government. Canvassing delays; political vacuum Among the people delighted over the looming victory of Aquino are those from a coalition of some 20 organizations from various sectors called Kilusan Para sa Pagkakaisa, Pagkakasundo, at Pag-unlad (Kilos Pa). However, Jovie Labajo of the Kapulungan ng mga Sandigan ng Pilipinas (Kasapi), one of the coalition's member-groups, expressed fears that a delay in the canvassing of votes in the presidential and vice presidential races could hurt Aquino's chances of being proclaimed right on time. Labajo said delays in canvassing and eventual proclamation could result in a "political vacuum." "Mabuti nang si Noynoy, malaki ang lamang. Pero ang kinakatakot namin ay baka makaladkad siya ng sa vice presidential race," Labajo said. [We are pleased over Aquino's wide lead over his rivals. But we are worried that he would get dragged by delays in canvassing of votes for vice president.] At the canvassing of votes by the joint congressional panel, concerns had been raised about the possibility of proclaiming only one of the two top posts winners because of the supposed two separate sets of certificates of canvass (COCs) for president and vice president. This would mean that a delay in the canvassing of one set [the VP set for instance] would not affect the presidential set. [See: Lawmakers question separate COC for president, VP] Lawmakers sitting as the National Board of Canvassers last Wednesday questioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the supposed two separate sets of COCs for president and vice president. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile presented during the hearing of the joint congressional canvassing committee the demonstration forms for COC sent to him by the Comelec sometime in March. Under the procedures on manual elections, there is only one certificate of canvass for president and vice president. However, Comelec executive director Jose Tolentino said there is only one document for the COCs, but it has two sets. — LBG, GMANews.TV