Palace says marginalized a Duterte priority amid views drug war is anti-poor

MANILA, Philippines — On International Human Rights Day, the Malacañang reiterated that the current administration prioritizes the poor and the marginalized.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque cited that the Duterte administration “works hard with the best interest of every Filipino people” especially the poor and the marginalized as well as the most vulnerable.

“These are the women and children in crises situations, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, migrant workers, older persons, people and communities displaced by natural and human-induced calamities, among others,” Roque cited in his statement on the observance of International Human Rights Day.

He said the best way to uphold the interest of the marginalized is by ensuring government efficiency and effectiveness that would “translate to every Filipino getting a fighting chance to overcome poverty, to uplift one’s status in society and to live a life with higher dignity.”

“That direction is what inspires the government’s compliance with its human rights obligations,” he added.

Roque made the statement despite critics hitting the administration’s anti-drug campaign for rights violations and being anti-poor.

READ: 54% believe drug war kills only poor – SWS

A Social Weather Stations surveys conducted last June and September showed that almost half of Filipino-adults believe that only the poor are killed in the government’s war on drugs.

The Palace earlier defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown against drugs and described the survey as “unfortunate” while  Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa agreed with the poll, saying this is a logical conclusion because most of those peddling drugs on the streets are poor.

Then presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella argued that while the poor were usually targeted in police sting operations, the PNP is not solely focused on street-level pushers.

Roque also said that he is pleased when the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, which he described as the “highest peer review body in the world on all matters of human rights,” “unanimously accepted and commended the Outcome Report” of the Philippines. This despite the Philippines delegation’s acceptance of only 103 out of 257 recommendations made by member-states for its UPR review.

RELATED: Ignoring issues raised, Philippines claims 'victory' in UN review

Roque said the Philippines is an active member of the UNHRC, adding that respect for human rights as state policy is enshrined in the Philippines’ 1987 Constitution.

Last September, the Philippines claimed a "big victory" following the review of its human rights record before the UNHCR despite the disappointment of several states over its rejection of key recommendations they made.

The UPR also covered the other states' positions on its human rights record, which included calls to investigate killings in the country but it was ignored by the Philippines. The Philippines, however, accepted some of the recommendations poverty and education, among others.