A coalition of advocacy and civil society groups is calling on candidates in the 2025 midterm elections to place human rights at the forefront of their platforms. Backed by the Human Rights and People Empowerment Center (HRPEC) and 16 other organizations, the coalition laid out a 12-point electoral agenda tackling issues ranging from justice and labor to climate change and public health.
The groups urged candidates to pursue justice for victims of human rights violations by abolishing the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and criminalizing red-tagging. They also called for the repeal of the Anti-Terror Law, which has been criticized for threatening civil liberties. The Supreme Court previously ruled that red-tagging endangers a person’s right to life and liberty.
They appealed for the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which continues to investigate alleged crimes against humanity committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
“Winning lawmakers should sponsor legislation that would protect everyone regardless of sexual orientation and identity against hate crime and discrimination,” the coalition said.
The agenda also promotes laws on divorce, safe abortion, and children’s rights, as well as the review and strengthening of existing gender and anti-violence laws. On labor, they called for the passage of key pro-worker bills such as the Anti-Endo Bill, Security of Tenure Bill, and measures protecting informal workers and delivery riders. They also proposed raising the minimum wage and abolishing regional wage boards.
To boost food security, the groups support repealing the Rice Tariffication Law and providing more subsidies for small farmers. They also want the passage of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill and better protections for indigenous land rights.
Environmental priorities include banning deep-sea and offshore mining, protecting biodiversity sites like Masungi Georeserve, and pushing for a just energy transition. They encouraged support for sustainable transport and increased funding for flood prevention.
In education, the coalition recommends integrating human rights and SOGIESC topics into school curricula and supporting Alternative Learning Centers. For healthcare, they pushed for universal access, better PhilHealth oversight, and additional leave benefits like menstrual and extended paternal leave.
On transportation, the groups oppose the jeepney phaseout, advocating instead for a government-subsidized rehabilitation plan. They also called for in-city resettlement programs and a review of housing policies to protect displaced families.
Lastly, they pressed for greater transparency, freedom of information, institutionalized People’s Councils in LGUs, and the review of laws that could be weaponized against activists.
The agenda was developed with support from organizations including DAKILA, Greenpeace Philippines, Karapatan, PISTON, SENTRO, Alyansa Tigil Mina, and others.