CHR: 'No vaccine, no ride' policy violates rights

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) stated that the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) 'no vaccine, no ride' policy in the National Capital Region restricts the enjoyment of fundamental rights.

CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline De Guia explained that the policy disproportionately affects ordinary Filipinos who depend on public transportation for essential needs like food, work, and healthcare.

Even individuals exempted from the policy may face difficulties accessing basic services if they lack private vehicles, according to the CHR.

While the CHR found a previous 'no vaccine, no labas' policy acceptable due to assurances that public services would not be denied, the current 'no vaccine, no ride' policy raises concerns about indirect prohibitions on fundamental rights, despite not directly forbidding travel.

The CHR's primary concern is that this policy effectively limits people's ability to exercise and enjoy their fundamental rights, even if it does not explicitly prohibit travel.