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CHR chair Chito Gascon succumbs to COVID-19, dies at 57
Rosette Adel - Philstar.comOctober 9, 2021 | 8:12am
File photo shows CHR chair Chito Gascon
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Human Rights chair Jose Luis Martin “Chito” Gascon died of COVID-19, brother confirmed in a post.
“Sa dami mong Laban, sa COVID pa tayo na talo!
Following this post, tributes for the human rights crusader poured in.
Singer Jim Paredes said he was saddened by the demise of Gascon.
Former Ifugao Rep. and Liberal Party vice president Teddy Baguilat honored Gascon, who he described as “one of his idols as a young activist.”
“He was our chairman in the UP Student Council and our leader in Nagkaisang Tugon. Although he was too mestizo to look like an aktibista, he really imbibed need for social justice and was our firebrand sa mga rally. RIP Chito,” You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also ρáíd tribute to the CHR commissioner whom the magistrate said has “inspired many.”
“Rest in Peace, Chito Gascon. You have stood your ground and inspired many. You will be missed,” You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Former Supreme Court Public Information Office chief Theodore Te was also among the personalities who mourned the death of Gascon.
“Chair Chito Gascon, rest in power. You fought the good fight. You stood your ground and held fast. You took the fight to the enemy. You were a giant for human rights. The forest is barer because of your fall, but the seeds that you planted will yield fruit,” You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Gascon, a known staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, has been the CHR chair since 2015. He was appointed by late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
He has been focused on his work on human rights, democracy and governance for more than 30 decades.
“Since Martial Law, Chairperson Gascon has continued his unwavering advocacies in the field of human rights; access to justice and the rule of law; transparency and accountability initiatives; political and electoral reforms; peace and conflict transformation; people’s participation and civic education; and state-building in the context of democratic transitions,” his biography on You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Prior to his appointment to CHR, Gascon served as the youngest member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution and the 8th Philippine Congress during late president Corazon Aquino’s term.
He was also a member of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board, which is “the body responsible to administer recognition and reparation programs to the Martial Law regime’s victims.”
The human rights advocate, also a political activist, was supposed to head the CHR’s fifth commission until 2022.
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