CEDAW/C/PHL/CO/7-8 including women who are victims of violence and women’s rights organizations, in order to enhance the responsiveness of the desks. National machinery for the advancement of women 17. The Committee commends the State party on its commitment to strengthening the capacity of the Philippine Commission on Women in promoting gender equality and gender mainstreaming in the State party. However, the current level of resources available to the Commission is not sufficient for its mandate. 18. The Committee recommends that the State party provide the Philippine Commission on Women with sufficient technical, human and financial resources to discharge its mandate effectively. National human rights institution 19. The Committee notes that the Commission on Human Rights is designated as Gender Ombud and mandated with the promotion and protection of human rights for women, including the investigation of complaints of discrimination and violations of their rights. It is concerned, however, about the general lack of political will on the part of government institutions to act promptly on the findings and resolutions of the Commission regarding violations of the Magna Carta of Women. 20. The Committee recommends that the State party put in place mandatory mechanisms that would protect and ensure the full independence of the Commission and make its resolutions legally binding on government agen cies, especially those responsible for imposing sanctions for violations of the Magna Carta of Women. Temporary special measures 21. The Committee notes with concern that several bills to implement temporary special measures provided for in the Magna Carta of Women are still pending and that there is no mechanism to monitor the implementation of such temporary special measures and assess their impact. 22. With reference to its general recommendation No. 25 (2004) on temporary special measures, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Expedite the adoption of the pending bills referred to in paragraph 21 above to implement temporary special measures, including a statutory quota for the representation of women as candidates in elections, in appointed positions in the Government and among the beneficiaries of scholarships and training opportunities for government officials; (b) Implement those temporary special measures provided under sections 11 (a) and (b) of the Magna Carta of Women that do not require legislation for implementation, in particular in relation to women’s representation on development councils at all levels; (c) Use temporary special measures to enhance substantive equality of girls and women belonging to disadvantaged sections, including minority groups and communities; 16-12874 5/16