De Lima: Rights record under Arroyo ‘dismal’

Outgoing Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairwoman Leila de Lima has admitted that the human rights record of the Arroyo administration has been “dispiriting and dismal." Interviewed by Bulatlat.com, De Lima said this was because the high number of extrajudicial killings was not matched by prosecution and conviction.

“There have only been three convictions for extralegal killings. The figures [of extrajudicial killings] are disparate," she said, noting that the number ranges from 100 to 1,000, depending on who is tallying. “Just like me, everybody was surprised, everything was so fast. We were caught flat-footed," she added. She, however, said that there were “bright spots" in the country’s quest to provide justice to human rights victims as well as to curb the practice of abuse. “There are bright spots, like in the area of legislation, where several legislative pieces suddenly saw the light of day," she said in the interview. Among the legislation she lauded were the Anti-Torture Law, the Magna Carta for Women, and the Anti-Child Pornography Law. She also noted the increased awareness of human rights as a whole because of the mainstreaming of human rights standards and policies. Although she had a relatively short stint at the CHR, having appointed to the position only in early 2008, she said she believes that she has done her job well. “I think I was able to prove my worth as a public servant," De Lima said. Next DOJ chief? De Lima has been widely rumored to be the next head of the Department of Justice (DOJ), but she repeatedly refused to confirm this during interviews, only saying that she has accepted a position under the administration of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III. But in the Bulatlat.com interview, De Lima she shared some of her thoughts on what must be done in the DOJ. “We need to strengthen the justice system. It covers three of the five pillars —investigative, prosecutorial and correctional. If justice is done and done genuinely then the culture of impunity will be eradicated," she said. Asked if she would need a paradigm shift in case she will be the next DOJ secretary, her answer was both yes and no. “The focus would be on running after criminals and lawbreakers. But there is no paradigm shift for me in the sense that there should not be any serious incompatibility between the work of a human rights advocate and that of the head of the justice portfolio in case I already assume office. We can run after them, but always with the human rights perspective at hand," she said. She also said that education and awareness-raising should continue, and that public outcry and outrage against human rights would help in terms of increasing awareness. Emotional farewell De Lima, in a simple ceremony on Monday, bid the CHR farewell. Known for her stern appearance, she became emotional during the event, which kicked off with a touching song from a choir. “I felt that in spite of my tough stance, I felt that the people in the institution took care for me, and I also took care for them, I love them," she said, adding that she had mixed feelings about leaving an institution she has learned to love. - KBK, GMANews.TV