The importance of human rights in the Philippines is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution of 1987 hence; it stated the creation of an independent human rights body in Article XIII, Section 17. On May 5, 1987, former President C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 163, thus, Commission of Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) came into existence. The independence and autonomy of the CHRP are indicated in its powers to (1) adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court; (2) recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families; (3) grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority; and, (4) request the assistance of any department, bureau, office or agency in the performance of its functions.

The organization's programmes and services are organized around four main axes:

• Human Rights Protection Programme, which includes Investigation and Forensic Services, Legal Services, Legal Aid and Counseling, Conciliation, Mediation, Human Rights Assistance, and Visiting Services;
  
  
• Human Rights Promotion Programme, which includes Education and Training, Human Rights Information and Public Advocacy, Human Rights Research and Development, Compliance Monitoring of International Human Rights Standards in Governance, and Web Services;
  
  
• Human Rights Linkages Development and Strategic Planning, covering Rights-based Planning in Governance, Human Rights Performance System in Governance, Harnessing Competence in Government and None-state Actors for Good Human Rights Practices, the Executive Cooperation Programme, and the Legislative and Judicial Cooperation Programme; and,
  
  
• Special Programmes, which include Rights-based Approach Application, Barangay Human Rights Action Centre, Human Rights Teaching Exemplars, Child Rights Centre, Women's Rights Programme Centre, and Asia-Pacific Institute of Human Rights
  

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