‘Marcos admin’s human rights efforts not enough’

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June 20, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration’s efforts to improve the human rights situation in the country are “not enough to make a meaningful difference to the state of freedom of expression,” based on a United Nations special rapporteur’s report.

“In contrast to former president Rodrigo Duterte and his officials who had publicly disparaged and threatened his critics, media workers and civil society actors, the current administration has adopted a more open and tolerant approach,” said UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression Irene Khan.

More fundamental and sustained reforms must be undertaken by the government to address deep-rooted human rights problems in the country, many of which are related to the right to freedom of expression, Khan noted.

Months before Khan’s visit to the Philippines in January last year were marked by positive human rights developments, such as former senator Leila de Lima’s release in November 2023 after nearly seven years in prison on drug-related charges, the report noted.

Duterte’s arrest and turnover to the International Criminal Court in The Hague marked a bold step toward addressing impunity, Khan said.

The legal framework governing freedom of expression in the Philippines remains inconsistent with international standards, Khan maintained.

Arbitrary and prolonged pretrial detention, along with the prosecution of journalists, rights defenders and activists continue in the name of countering terrorism, she said.