Richard Palpal-latoc
Richard Paat Palpal-latoc is a Filipino lawyer, civil servant, and government official who currently serves as the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. He was appointed to the position by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2022 and will serve until 2029.
Education
Palpal-latoc completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1995 and Bachelor of Laws in 2001, both from the University of Santo Tomas. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2002.
Career
Palpal-latoc was a partner at the Rodriguez Esquivel Palpal-latoc Law Firm, where he specialised as a trial lawyer. He became an assistant city prosecutor in Quezon City in 2020. Palpal-latoc also worked in government positions, including in the Office of the President, at the Department of Social Welfare, and in the Office of the Ombudsman.
Commission on Human Rights
On September 27, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Palpal-latoc as the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, succeeding Leah Tanodra-Armamento. Upon his appointment, Palpal-latoc expressed his particular concern for the mistreatment of women and children. His appointment was met with hope from rights groups that he would uphold the commission's mandate and ideals.