EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 163
DECLARING THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE CREATION OF THE
COMMISSION ONHUMAN RIGHTS AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE 1987
CONSTITUTION, PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION
THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution has been ratified by the people;
WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution has created an independent office called the
Commission on human Rights; and
WHEREAS, there is an urgent necessity to constitute the Commission on Human Rights
to give effects to the State policy that "the State values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human rights."
NOW, THEREFORE, I , CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue
of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order:
Section 1
The Commission on Human Rights as provided under Article XIII of the 1987
Constitution is hereby declared to be now in existence.
Section 2
The Commission on Human Rights shall be composed of a Chairman and four members
who must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their
appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, and must not have been candidates for any
elective position in the elections immediately preceding their appointment. However, a
majority thereof shall be members of the Philippine Bar.
The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on human Rights shall not, during
their tenure, hold any other office or employment. Neither shall they engage in the
practice of any profession or in the active management or control of any business which
in any way may be affected by the functions of their office, nor shall they be financially
interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege
granted by the government, any of its sub-divisions, agencies, or instrumentalities,
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
The Chairman and the Members of the Commission on Human Rights shall be
appointed by the president for a term of seven years without reappointment.
Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor.
The Chairman and the members of the Commission on human Rights shall receive the
same salary as the Chairman and the Members of the Commission on Human Rights