Leftist groups oppose Rosales at CHR

MANILA, Philippines – The possible appointment of former congresswoman Loreta Ann Rosales as chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) drew more opposition from other militant lawmakers.

Rosales, who was Akbayan party-list representative in the House of Representatives, earlier told reporters that she was set to replace Leila de Lima as CHR chief after President Aquino appointed the latter to the Department of Justice.

She, however, later clarified that her appointment was unofficial.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño said Rosales has “questionable integrity” within the human rights community and even among victims of human rights violations.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also warned Mr. Aquino on the possible international repercussions in appointing Rosales.

 “We would like to stress our strong reservations to the pending appointment of former congresswoman Rosales,” Casiño said last week. “She has been heavily involved in a number of conflicts in the human rights community in the past and this will be a heavy baggage she will carry when she assumes post in the CHR because even in the human rights community, she has questionable integrity.”

“Even as chairman of the human rights committee in the previous Congress, her pronouncements against us are very clear, we can probably call it ideological bias against the mainstream left,” he said.

Casiño also said Rosales has shown that she cannot be impartial when dealing with left-leaning organizations.

Ilagan said the President should start on the “right footing” when it comes to appointments to the CHR.

“I think it (Rosales’ appointment) will create some kind of disturbance and it will affect our reputation outside the country in the human rights community because impartiality is very important,” she said.

“Mr. Aquino should instead find someone of De Lima’s stature.”