Former Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Richard P. Palpal-latoc has been appointed chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Palpal-latoc’s appointment was made public by the CHR late evening on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Aside from Palpal-latoc, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has also appointed Beda A. Epres as CHR commissioner. Both Palpal-latoc and Epres will serve for seven years without re-appointment in the CHR’s 6th Commission En Banc (full commission).
Three more CHR commissioners have to be appointed to complete the five-member Commission En Banc.
Palpal-latoc was an assistant city prosecutor in Quezon City and graft investigation and prosecution officer at the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB), a lawyer at the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IV-A.
He was a partner of the Rodriguez Esquivel Palpal-latoc Law Firm before joining government service.
Palpac-latoc is an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas – Philosophy (1995) and Bachelor of Laws (2001). He passed the Bar examinations in 2002.
Last Sept. 27, the CHR said its new chairman had meetings with Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia and other directors from its central and regional offices.
It said Palpal-latoc aims to beef up human rights protection, promotion, policy, and prevention to create a lasting legacy and meaningful impact in the lives of every Filipino.
He also signified a strong desire to expand the CHR’s work in the arena of economic, social, and cultural rights, alongside his core advocacies in upholding the rights of families, children, and women, it said.
“CHR looks forward to the direction of the institution under Chairperson Palpal-latoc’s leadership,” the CHR also said in its statement.
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