11 62. Environmental degradation, climate change and unsustainable development constitute some of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generation to enjoy the right of life. Obligations of States parties under international environmental law should thus inform the contents of article 6 of the Covenant, and the obligation of States parties to respect and ensure the right to life, and in particular life with dignity, depends, inter alia, on measures taken by States parties to preserve the environment and protect it against harm, pollution and climate change caused by public and private actors. States parties should therefor ensure sustainable use of natural resource, develop and implement substantive environmental standards, conduct environmental impact assessments and consult with relevant States about activities likely to have a significant impact on the environment, provide notification to other States concerned about natural disaster and emergencies and cooperate with them, provide appropriate access to information on environmental hazards and pay due regard to the precautionary approach.20 There is also no doubt that this Commission may inquire into allegations involving violations of the human rights of Filipino people, even when occurring outside Philippine territory. No international or domestic law, rule, or principle prohibits this Commission from informing itself of facts and events occurring outside of the Philippines, as long as it does so in a manner respecting domestic laws of foreign territories. This is in line with the United Nations Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions or the Paris Principles, which recognize that NHRIs have adequate powers to investigate and gather information in order to perform their mandate to protect human rights. As it would be challenging for courts to exercise jurisdiction over respondents who are not domiciled within the Philippines, especially for acts also committed outside the Philippines, this Commission is compelled to inquire into the human rights abuses or violations alleged by Petitioners. In admitting the Petition, this Commission does not exercise adjudicative or enforcement jurisdiction, but merely fulfills its broad mandate to promote and protect human rights, which requires inquiring into the issues raised therein. 20 United Nations Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 36 (2018) on Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on the Right to Life, U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/GC/36 (Oct. 30, 2018).

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