Professional Experience

• Bayan Muna Partylist, House of Representatives

  2013–2016 Senior Deputy Minority Leader

• Bayan Muna Partylist, House of Representatives

  2007–2013 Congressman

• Office or Rep. Satur Ocampo

  2004–2006 Consultant

• The University of Melbourne

  2003 Associate

• The University of Melbourne

  2002 Research Assistant

• National Amnesty Commission

  1996–1999 Legal Officer

Significant Works/Projects

• Bayan Muna Partylist, House of Representatives

  2013–2016 Congressman

  Significant bills authored by Colmenares include:

  • RA 10639: An Act Mandating the Telecommunications Service Providers to Send Free Mobile Alerts in the Event of Natural and Man-made Disasters and Calamities
  • RA 10366: A Law Creating Special Election Precincts for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens
  • RA 10368: Human Rights Victims Reparation Act and RA 9754: Anti Torture Act (to indemnify the victims of Martial Law)
  • R.A. 10353: Anti Enforced Disappearances Act 
  • R.A. 10380: Early Voting for Media Act
  • R.A. 10862: Nutrition and Dietetics Law
  • House Bill No. 3851: An Act Increasing Pensions and Other Benefits under the Social Security System
  • RA 10639: An Act Mandating the Telecommunications Service Providers to Send Free Mobile Alerts in the Event of Natural and Man-made Disasters and Calamities
  • House Bill No. 172: An Act Prohibiting the Establishment of Political Dynasties
  • House Bill No. 347: An Act to Ensure Public Access to Official Records, Documents and Any Other Information of Public Concern
  • House Bill No. 700: An Act Providing for the Election of Sectoral Representatives to the Legislative Bodies of Local Government Units
  • House Bill No. 1535: An Act Abolishing the “Pork Barrel” System
  • House Bill No. 1842: An Act Defining Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Providing Penalties Therefor
  • House Bill No. 2620: An Act Prohibiting the Privatization of Public Hospitals, Public Health Facilities and Public Health Services

• Public Interest Lawyer

  Helped abolish Executive Order 464 and the Calibrated Preemptive Response policy of Former President Gloria Arroyo, halt the increase of MERALCO electricity bills in 2013, abolish the pork barrel system of PDAF and DAP in 2015.
  
  Handled more cases, such as:

  • Handled the complaints of mothers of EJK victims in the International Criminal Court (ICC)
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. Meralco power rate hike
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. Maynilad and Manila Water hike
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. Pork Barrel (PDAF/DAP)
  • Court of Appeals Petition vs. Globe, Smart, PLDT kaugnay ng mabagal na internet at sobrang singil sa text
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. China exploration sa West PH Sea
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. MRT rate hike
  • Supreme Court Petition vs. Anti-Terrorism Act
  • Supreme Court Petition para sa Writ of Amparo para protektahan ang mga human rights defenders

  Colmenares was awarded the Distinguished Bedan Award for Exemplary Government Service in 2015, Distinguished Alumni for Public Service from the UP College of Law in 2015, and the International Bar Association Human Rights award from the International Bar Association (IBA).

• Martial Law Activist

  1976

  Was a student leader who was part of the Student Catholic Action and activist who fought to reopen student council and student papers during Martial Law.

• Raise wages and livelihood

  • Legislate a livable national minimum wage
  • End ENDO and contractualization
  • Increase senior citizens' social pension and SSS and GSIS benefits without an addition to the premium
  • Promote local industries to increase jobs in the Philippines
  • True agrarian reform and support for farmers to provide affordable food for the nation
  • Free and/or affordable housing for the poor
  • People's Green New Deal for sustainable development

• Free healthcare for all

  • Legislate the Free Public Healthcare Act for free treatment from public hospitals and health facilities
  • Implement a Comprehensive, Effective, Participatory and Humane response to the pandemic
    • Free testing, treatment, and vaccinations
    • Ayuda for those affected by the pandemic, which is Php 10K for those who are laid off from work and Php 15k production subsidy for farmers and fishermen
    • Increased support for community pantries and other forms of pandemic bayanihan

• Peace Based on Justice and Respect for Rights

  • End EJKs and other human rights violations
  • Allow investigations and processes of the International Criminal Court and UN Human Rights Council
  • Bring back ABS-CBN's franchise
  • Pass the Pass the SOGIE Bill and Human Rights Defenders Bill
  • Revive GRP-NDFP peace talks to address the root cause of armed conflicts

Agriculture

Infrastructure

Environment

Family and Women's Rights

Labor/Worker's Rights

Global Politics

Previous Administration

• Rappler | April 27, 2021

  Calida red-tags Colmenares, progressives before Supreme Court

  Solicitor General Jose Calida red-tagged progressive lawyer Neri Colmenares and other progressive groups during his opening statement to the Supreme Court in the anti-terror law oral arguments held online on Tuesday, April 27.