In order to strengthen and expand human rights protection initiatives, Saint Louis University (SLU), through its School of Law (SOL) and the Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMM CLAO), The Asia Foundation (TAF), and partners officially launched the Human Rights Hub in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) dubbed as ‘Semek’ on 9 June 2025.
The event, held at the Moot Court Room, Diego Silang Bldg., SLU Main Campus, brought together key institutional partners including the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Commission on Human Rights – CAR, Cordillera higher educational institutions offering the law degree, and various Civil Society Organizations (CSO) actively serving the community as human rights defenders.
On behalf of project convenor, SLU, the University President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Sam Chittick, TAF Country Representative-Philippines. The Semek initiative will be supported by TAF for an initial period of one year.
Through collaborative work in the Philippines, Chittick observed how human rights values are deeply embedded within the country’s institutional framework, positioning the Philippines as a global leader in human rights. He stated that, through the efforts in capacity-building, support, and expanding access to human rights, there is a clear movement toward establishing peaceful, just, and sustainable futures. “It is our fundamental belief that the real foundation of a peaceful, just, sustainable future is the common understanding and common commitment to human rights, applying to all,” he noted.
Highlighting the City of Baguio as a prime mover in the advocacy, human rights stories were shared by Councilor Jose Molintas of the City Council; Levi Glen Ingente, Baguio City Coordinator for Human Rights Cities Project; and Abigail Bengwayan-Anongos, the Executive Director of the Cordillera Women’s Education-Action Research Center. Bengwayan-Anongos, in her message, expressed full support for the participatory mechanism that ensures that the voices of embattled CSOs and human rights defenders are heard and represented.
Moreover, it is to be noted that the persevering work of the City in local capacity building resulted in concrete legislation, the Human Rights Defenders Ordinance, which was passed on 9 December 2024.
Originating from the Ibaloi word for love, the Human Rights Hub, “Semek”, aims to foster greater coordination among civil, legal, and academic institutions in promoting human rights awareness through capacity-building programs, human rights caravans, legal aid, referrals to the hub’s network, and community-based advocacy throughout the Cordillera.
This collaboration underscores the vital role of educational, government, civil and legal institutions in empowering communities to advance pathbreaking reforms for peace and development rooted on TAF’s mandates in the Philippines.
Drawing the important event to a close, Atty. Yasmine Lee R. Tadeo, SLU SOL Dean, said, “With this trust comes our commitment to efficiency to build linkages, to work for the common good, and to ensure that our students continue to learn continually. Our task as a Human Rights Hub is vast. In doing this work, we must consistently remember to frame our message so the public understands that protecting human rights benefits all stakeholders, not just a select few. As convener and member of this Hub, rest assured, SLU’s appearance and work will not be half-hearted.”
SLU’s critical role in the Human Rights Hub further solidifies the CICM advocacies on peace and justice, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
