Presidential candidates at the Commission on Elections' second PiliPinas debate on Sunday night called for the empowerment of the Commission on Human Rights.

Asked if they agree that the CHR should be strengthened, given "quasi-judicial" function in order to carry out its mandate, and allowed fiscal autonomy, former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales said that he does.

"Payag na payag po ako dyan. Kailangan po talaga yung mga puder na nabanggit ay ibigay po natin sa Human Rights Commission. Lalong-lalo po sa panahon na umiiral sa atin ngayon. Napakahirap po ng kalagayan ng ating CHR. Dapat po talagang bigyan ng pondo yan, dagdagan ng mga necessary authority para matupad ang kanyang katungkulan," he said.

(I agree with this. These powers must be given to the CHR, especially in these times. The CHR is in a difficult place. It must be given funds and additional authority in order to carry out its functions.)

In recent years, the CHR has weathered accusations from President Rodrigo Duterte that it defends "criminals" as it objected to the deaths in his drug war, and the threat of a budget of P1,000 or even no budget at all from his allies.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said he has regularly called for the CHR's budget to be augmented.

"Sa loob ng maraming taon, ako po 'yung sponsor ng budget ng Commission on Human Rights. Siguro mga apat o limang taon at taon-taon ino-augment ko po ang kanilang budget kasi nakakaawa, napakaliit, measly ang kanilang budget at kapag sila ay humiling sa akin bilang vice-chairman at siyang nagde-defend ng kanilang budget, lagi ko pong dinadagdagan," he said.

(I have sponsored the CHR's budget and every year I augment it because it's so small and measly. When they would appeal to me, as vice chairman [of the Senate's finance committee], I would always add to it.)

However, Lacson added, prosecutorial powers are not in the CHR's mandate.

"Baka magkaroon tayo ng problema sa ating Konstitusyon dahil nasa Constitution din ang paglikha ng Commission on Human Rights. So tulungan natin sila para magawa nila nang mas maayos ang kanilang trabaho at isang-ayon sa ginagawa ko taon-taon, ino-augment ko ang kanilang budget para maging mas mabisa ang kanilang pagtugon sa kanilang mandato under the Constitution and under the law."

(We might have a problem constitutionally because the creation of the CHR is in the Constitution. Let's help them do their job and continue what I do every year of augmenting their budget so that they will be more effective in carrying out their mandate under the Constitution and under the law.)

'Tao muna'

Aksyon Demokratiko bet and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno also batted for a stronger CHR, saying he will fund it should he win the presidential race.

He also pushed for the right of people to an adequate standard of living.

"The same time binibigyan natin ng pondo maproteksyonan ang karapatan pantao ng bawat Pilipino, at the same time karapatan din ng tao na makapamuhay ng mapayapa, may masisilungan, may maayos na edukasyon, may trabaho, kapanatagan sa pamumuhay," he said.

(At the same time we are giving it funds to protect the rights of every Filipino, at the same time it is the people's right to live in peace, to have a home, to get a good education and job, to have peace in life.)

Moreno also stressed the need for equality. He earlier said privilege should not only be given to those in power.

"'Tao muna. Yung kapanatagan, kasaganahan, oportunidad, at pagkakapantay-pantay or what we call social justice. Nakita ko sa pag-ikot ko sa buong Pilipinas, maraming napagkakaitan na mga kababayan... ng pagkakataon ng programa ng gobyerno," he said.

"I think 'yun ang pinakaimportanteng human rights for me," he added.

(People first. Peace, prosperity, opportunity, and equality or what we call social justice. I saw from going around the country that many are deprived of opportunity. That is the most important human rights for me.)

Dr. Jose Montemayor Jr. was allowed a rebuttal, but also agreed with the other candidates.

"CHR, isa sa mga important accountability bodies natin. Dapat mabigyan ng quasi-judicial power. Ang quasi-judicial power, this is the power and the ability to hear and decide. Eh napakaraming human rights violation. Napaka-importante, hindi maka-carry out yan kung hindi natin mabigyan ng fiscal autonomy," he said.

(The CHR is one of our most important accountability bodies. It must be given quasi-judicial power, the power and the ability to decide. There are so many human rights violations. And it will not be able to carry out its duties if we do not give it fiscal autonomy.) -- Hana Bordey, Joahna Lei Casilao and Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News