International Trade committee  In principle, in a country that respects the rule of law, an ombud office is an independent body. The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise reports to the Prime Minister's Office. Furthermore, the ombud doesn't have any real powers, since the ombud cannot conduct investigations on their own initiative or summon witnesses.

International Trade committee  It involves making false accusations against people, saying that they are linked to the New People's Army, which is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines and has been in an insurgency for some 40 years. These accusations are made against clergy, lawyers, activists, human rights defenders.

International Trade committee  Madam Chairperson, distinguished members of the Committee, in our view, the Canadian government must consider the precarious human rights situation in the Philippines. Launching accusations or being baselessly accused of communist affiliation undermines both civil society and the opposition.