2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines
69
duly and precisely informed of the conduct to be avoided and the vague definition could
encompass and implicate other protected human rights and fundamental freedoms. The
CHR believes that the fight against terrorism should be in line with and incorporate
human rights principles. The amicus brief had been duly noted by the Supreme Court.
240
Hearings on the petitions were delayed due to the pandemic as there were court personnel
including a Justice and a lawyer for the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) who tested
positive for COVID-19. The attendees to the hearing were 1 or two lawyers per petitioner,
except for the OSG who allowed 3 lawyers to assist the SolGen. In the meantime, no
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was issued by the Supreme Court (SC) to maintain
the status quo and defer the effectivity of the Anti-Terror Law.
Right to Information During the COVID-19 Pandemic
241
There were reports indicating that some members of IDP communities believe that
COVID-19 is a hoax. The government must continue its efforts in ensuring that people,
especially those in far-flung areas, are fully informed of the dangers of the COVID-19
pandemic. More importantly, the LGUs must ensure that they take effective measures in
raising awareness among their communities and IDP sites. Most of the time, IDP sites are
cramped with no adequate WASH facilities to support good hygiene practices, and no
partitions or barriers that are required for social distancing. Thus, IDPs are more at risk of
contracting the virus and must be informed about the ongoing pandemic.295
242
Information is vital in determining access to health during a pandemic. In some areas,
there was no information received, such as in Davao where it was found that members
of the Matigsalug tribe have no knowledge about the gravity of COVID-19, based on the
feedback gathered on the ground by the CHR Regional XI Office.
243
On 30 January 2020, the Department of Health (DOH), in its Memorandum Circular
2020-0006, provided for the reporting and information dissemination protocol in response
to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCOV health event).296
244
DOH’s strategic communication on 11 May 2020 includes the release of information
materials focused on providing updates on COVID-19 and promoting vigilance, solidarity,
and preparedness amid the outbreak. The DOH also maintains the COVID-19 tracker
online and DOH data drop on its website, as well as releases daily Beat COVID-19 situation
reports for public consumption.297
245
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on 21 March 2020 launched
its COVID-19 virtual portal to serve as a one-stop source for the public to find out the
latest about COVID-19.298
246
Many LGUs, through their local information offices, use social media platforms, particularly
Facebook, to disseminate information among their constituents about COVID-19. Some
295
Reference: Internally Displaced Persons Protection Assessment Report (IDPPAR) Forced Displacement int
Guindulungan and Talayan Municipalities , Maguindanao Province due to family feud accessed from http://www.
protectionclusterphilippines.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IDPPAR-no.-21-Clan-Feud-in-Talayan-MaguindanaoIssune-no.pdf
296
Department of Health, Providing for the Reporting and Information Dissemination Protocol in Response to the Novel
Coronavirus (2019-nCOV) Health Event, Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. of 2020, available at https://www.doh.gov.
ph/sites/default/files/health-update/COVID-19-Advisory-No4.pdf, accessed 25 June 2020.
297
National Disaster Risk and Reduction and Management Council, National Task Force Coronavirus Disease-2019
298
Presidential Communications Office, COVID-19 Updates, available at https://www.covid19.gov.ph/, accessed 25 June
2020.