18. While the Committee takes note of the constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal treatment of all persons before the law, the lack of legislation explicitly prohibiting racial discrimination is a matter of concern (arts. 3 and 26).
The Committee urges the State party to take the necessary steps to adopt legislation explicitly prohibiting discrimination, in accordance with articles 3 and 26 of the Covenant. The Committee notes that legislation related to sexual orientation is currently being discussed in Congress and urges the State party, in this context, to pursue its efforts to counter all forms of discrimination. The State party is further invited to strengthen human rights education to forestall manifestations of intolerance and de facto discrimination.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Philippines-2003-eng