A truth commission can help our country move forward with honesty and moral clarity

If there is an Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate corruption in flood control projects, there should also be a Truth Commission to investigate extrajudicial killings.

- OSCAR P. LAGMAN, JR.

MILITANT GROUPS and families of extra judicial killings held a protest rally at Welcome Rotonda.

(PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN)

On March 29, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. joined the leaders of the United States and 72 other nations in declaring:

“We the leaders of the Summit for Democracy, reaffirm our shared belief that democracy — government reflecting the effective participation and will of the people — is humanity’s most enduring means to advance peace, prosperity, equality, sustainable development, and security. Democracy is necessary to ensure that every voice is heard, that the human rights of all are respected, protected, and fulfilled, online and offline, and that the rule of law is upheld. We recognize that democracy can take many forms, but shares common characteristics, including free and fair elections that are inclusive and accessible; separation of powers; checks and balances; peaceful transitions of power; an independent media and safety of journalists; transparency; access to information; accountability; inclusion; gender equality; civic participation; equal protection of the law; and respect for human rights, including freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

“We commit to fight against impunity and promote accountability for violations of international law, particularly genocide, war crimes, the crime of aggression and crimes against humanity, including where such crimes involve sexual and gender-based violence. We acknowledge the important role played by the ICC as a permanent and impartial tribunal complementary to national jurisdictions in advancing accountability for the most serious crimes under international law.”