o Late Senator Diokno: “No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights. Human rights are more than legal concepts, they are the essence of man (woman). They are what makes man/woman you denies man’s (or woman’s) humanity.” • Mr. Balansag explained that the state has the primary obligation to serve, promote and protect the human rights of its citizens. This is articulated in Article 2, Section 11 of the Philippine Constitutions: “…the state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights”. • To illustrate the role of the government in relation to Human Rights, Mr. Balansag, explained how different agencies of the government are mandated to serve, promote, and protect the human rights of its citizens. One example he cited is the role of the Department of Education in the promotion and protection of the right to education. He further emphasized that the government is the primary promoter of Human Rights. And as the head of the state, the President is the main protector of Human Rights. • Given this, the state enforces laws to protect the rights of its citizens. Mr. Balansag emphasized that Human rights and laws go hand-in-hand. The law on VAWC for example, was promulgated and institutionalized to protect the rights of women and children. With this, Mr. Balansag clarified that laws do not favor criminals. In fact, they exist to protect the rights of every human being. • Mr. Balansag explained the mandate of CHR by presenting the principle of check and balance. He explained this by showing how the different branches of the government upholds the principle of check and balance as one of the important features of our democratic political system. He then emphasized that CHR, as an independent body, serves as a watchdog of the government and protector of marginalized sector. • Mr. Balansag also added, that as a watchdog of the government, CHR is tasked to investigate on its own, or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights. • In closing, Mr. Balansag emphasized that the CHR is not anti-government. 10