While we see a rehash of old issues in the report of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) that have already been responded to, we are pleased that this body has independently exercised its mandate — a testament to how the Duterte Administration has allowed our democratic civic space to be enriched under his term.

In contrast to what a handful of critiques would want the international community to hear and read about our country, the Duterte Administration leaves a legacy of a safe and secure Philippines. Foreigners who come to the country as tourists are seeing how safe our streets and communities are, affirming the more than half in the drop in crime rate since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took office in 2016, and validated by his high satisfaction, performance, approval and trust ratings at the end of his presidency.

Nonetheless, we ask the CHR to coordinate with the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat so that its recommendations may be discussed with all the government offices it has put to task.