EDITORIAL - Noise is not evidence of work being done

The Commission on Human Rights is an independent constitutional body tasked primarily to investigate all forms of human rights violations. And while it doesn't have the power of adjudication, it can issue contempt citations and is empowered to provide all appropriate and necessary measures to protect the human rights of all Filipino citizens.

Unfortunately, not much is heard of the CHR with regard to the performance of its duties, especially at this time when there is so much controversy surrounding the aggressive campaign of the Duterte government against illegal drugs. This campaign has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of drug suspects, many of which some have come to describe as resulting from extrajudicial killings.

But it appears the only time anyone hears of the CHR is when its current chairman appears before the media to condemn the killings and to criticize the Duterte government for an anti-illegal drug campaign that has resulted in much of these killings. The CHR has yet to be heard announcing the conduct of an investigation into any of these killings, or to bare the results of one, if any.

It is very clear in its mandate that the CHR can investigate any suspected human rights case either on its own or on the complaint of anyone. But it seems that it has done neither. If it has, then we sincerely apologize. But if it has, then it ought to make a public disclosure of it with as much, or even more, noise than it already currently does in criticizing the Duterte government.

The CHR owes it to the public to let it know what it is doing. But making noise that doesn't say anything isn't exactly the public's idea of the CHR being up and about and doing a fine job. The only time noise is tolerable is when it indicates some important endeavor being pursued with great industry and diligence, as when shipbuilders bang away to make giant ships.

Criticism, of course, has its uses. It can be useful in pointing out mistakes and excesses. It can keep people from sleeping on their jobs. But if it is just to make noise as if to prove plain existence, then the sound criticism makes is nothing more than plain, empty, and unproductive noise. The sound a dying horse makes does not necessarily mean proof of life but an indication of great misery and terminal suffering. In most instances, it is best to put the horse away.

There is no stopping the CHR from doing its job. Not even Duterte can do so. And if the CHR feels criticizing the government helps it to do a better job, fine. But it must first prove it is even doing its job. Criticism alone does not prove anything. If at all, it must come hand in hand with real and palpable evidence of work pursued in earnest, like sweat on the brow, not froth in the mouth.