On July 31, 2026, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Stop the Discrimination Coalition (STD) held a second roundtable discussion on proposed measures Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (CADB) and the SOGIE Equality Bill at the Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon Building, CHR, Quezon City.
The roundtable discussion focused on recommendations for the creation of stronger and inclusive legislation on CADB and SOGIE Equality, as well as coordination of advocacy efforts for the passage of anti-discrimination legislation. In addition to these policies, a presentation on emerging “terror” bills: Digital Media and Anti-False News Act (HB 9465 and its Senate version) and Foreign Influence and Interference Act (HB 1068 and its companion bills) was shared by the Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG). Aira Cobico, CPDG’s Media and Communications Officer and Ferdie Balmaceda, CPDG’s Policy Officer, explained the dangers posed by both pending legislation to civil society organizations. They highlighted the punitive framework of the proposed legislation which prioritized intense censorship and surveillance that encroached on civil rights.
The discussion concluded with a comprehensive reflection on the proposed policies and the establishment of campaign targets for future steps. The railroading of these so-called “terror” legislation in Congress juxtaposed to the decades long wait for the passage of inclusive legislation like the CADB and SOGIE, as well as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill and the CHR Charter. This is reflective of a government whose priorities lie in securing power rather than ensuring the rights of its people. CPDG is resolute in their urgent call to pass inclusive legislation rather than the enactment of draconian bills that constrict rather than strengthen and enable civic space. #