Philippines Staged First Integrity and Human Rights Conference

The Philippines, through various government, private, and international organizations, staged the First Integrity and Human Rights Conference last January 27 – 28,2009 at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Malate, Manila.

Jointly organized by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Business for Integrity and Stability of Our Nation 2020 (BISYON 2020), Transparency International Philippines, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the event aims to help promote ethical and rights-based sustainable development nationwide and to impart to the public the proposition that there is close relationship between corruption and human-rights violations. Furthermore, it presents issues, best practices, and tools for enhancing compliance with integrity programs and human rights protection.

During the event, known advocates of human rights, government officials, members of international organizations, as a well as representatives of the media, were present during the two-day event. These include Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima, Former Senator Wigberto Tanada, UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, Philippine Daily Inquirer publisher Isagani Yambot, Social Weather Station Founder and President Mahar Mangahas, and Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines Ambassador Alistair McDonald.

Among the topics discussed were governance, anti-corruption measures, human rights, integrity in peace and order, corporate governance and the banking sector's compliance standards.

In her speech, CHR Chairperson de Lima pointed out that graft, which in its sense, a violation of human rights, infects more than just the Philippine government because it infects nearly all aspects of the people’s lives. She added that what the Filipinos need now is not just another revolution. She said, “We need a revolution that upstages all previous revolutions, one that not only changes the configuration of political power, but one that changes the Filipino psyche.”

On the other hand, Justice Panganiban insisted on the strict enforcement of the Ethical Standards Law and to strenghten the country's democratic institutions by demanding from the country's officials the faithful performance of their constitutional and legal duties.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Alexander Yano, as read by Brigadier General Victor Felix, stressed that it is not the AFP's policy to condone, tolerate or engage in human rights violations and abuses. Furthermore, the AFP believes that the greatest human rights violation is the exploitation of poverty and ignorance for they see how these are often manipulated by the enemies of Philippine democracy.

The First Integrity and Human Rights Conference is sponsored by Philipine Daily Inquirer, Yehey.com, Alta Productions Group, Inc., ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Solar Entertainment Corporation, VideoSonic Corporate Communications, and Business Mirror.

For more information about the First Integrity and Human Rights Conference call (632) 415-0477, or email integrity.humanrights@gmail.com