CHR lauds Comelec’s anti-discrimination resolution

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday said that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution tagging discrimination as an election offense during the election period ensures that Filipino voters can participate in the elections with no threats or intimidation. 

“CHR fully supports Comelec Resolution No. 11116 as a crucial step in protecting every Filipino voter’s right to participate in elections without fear of harassment, retaliation, or intimidation,” CHR said in a statement. 

“Let us all advocate for an inclusive #Eleksyon2025, where political participation is consistently respected and fulfilled—regardless of one’s identity, status, gender, or affiliation,” CHR added. 

Comelec Resolution No. 11116, promulgated last February 19, stated that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups and organizations, such as people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), persons with disability, and women).

Under the same guidelines, Comelec also prohibits labeling candidates as members of criminal or terrorist groups without established evidence.

Violating the anti-discriminatory guidelines constitutes an election offense and is regarded as a criminal case with one to six years of imprisonment as penalty.

The CHR also underscored the Comelec’s recognition of the Supreme Court ruling in Deduro vs. Vinoya, which was stated in the resolution, where “labeling, or guilt by association has been acknowledged by international organizations as a form of harassment and intimidation.”

“Especially within the context of elections, it is essential to establish safeguards that protect voters from harassment and intimidation,” CHR noted.