Press Release
Amnesty International Philippines announces the appointment of Ritz Lee Santos, III, as its new Section Director, effective 1 November 2025. This appointment follows the passing of Butch Olano who served the organization with unwavering dedication from 2016 until 2024. This moment marks the first time in the organization’s history that its top leadership transition comes as a result of such a sudden loss. Amnesty International Philippines members and supporters across the country, and within the Amnesty movement around the world, have been anticipating a new leadership that will carry forward Olano’s vision of resistance and justice.
“Amnesty has prioritized transparency, and a strong re-affirmation of shared values for this transition. The Board of Trustees owes it to our members and communities to ensure confidence and continuity from former directors. This leadership honors our past while preparing boldly for the challenges ahead,” said the outgoing Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairperson, Veronica Cabe.
Amnesty has prioritized transparency, and a strong re-affirmation of shared values for this transition. The Board of Trustees owes it to our members and communities to ensure confidence and continuity from former directors. This leadership honors our past while preparing boldly for the challenges ahead.
Veronica Cabe, outgoing Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairperson
Santos brings with him extensive experience in human rights advocacy, community development, and peoples’ engagement. His journey with Amnesty spans decades, having served as a Chairperson and Member of the BoT in Amnesty Philippines for several terms, and held a seat at Amnesty’s International Board. His deep institutional memory and hands-on experience have shaped his reputation as a strategic manager and an unrelenting advocate for human rights.
“Amnesty International Philippines must be at the frontlines of the defense of human rights. We remain fearless, principled, and people-centered as the go-to organization in national conversations, grounded in credible research and grassroots realities, capable of mobilizing nationwide pressure for truth, justice, and accountability,” declared Santos.
Amnesty Philippines is gearing towards a leadership style that is both strategic and results oriented. While grounded in collaboration and trust, it will be supported by clear direction and shared accountability.
“I will always trust the expertise of the Amnesty Philippines team. We will deliver results together for our shared purpose and human rights impact. My vision centers on active solidarity with marginalized communities because human rights advocacy must never be detached from lived realities, feminist values, and principled resistance,” added Santos.
We will deliver results together for our shared purpose and human rights impact. My vision centers on active solidarity with marginalized communities because human rights advocacy must never be detached from lived realities, feminist values, and principled resistance.
Ritz Lee Santos, III, Section Director
In his first year, Santos is prioritizing the organization’s participation in national human rights networks and accountability processes, ensuring a strategic and visible role in shaping conversations that affect peoples’ lives. He plans to strengthen the organization’s physical presence beyond Manila, expanding work particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao so that the organization’s relevance reflects the full geography and diversity of the country.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we will work for stronger grassroots membership infrastructure, broader empowerment of local members, and proactive campaigning on the most urgent threats to human rights. We must grow not only in numbers, but in grit and relevance as well. Our movement must stay aligned with the communities demanding change,” Santos explained.
Looking ahead to 2026, we will work for stronger grassroots membership infrastructure, broader empowerment of local members, and proactive campaigning on the most urgent threats to human rights. We must grow not only in numbers, but in grit and relevance as well. Our movement must stay aligned with the communities demanding change.
Ritz Lee Santos, III
This new chapter builds on the firm groundwork laid by Santos’ predecessors. He is committed to continuing institutional strengthening, ensuring that internal systems can support bold activism while protecting the safety and well-being of members, staff, and human rights defenders.
Alongside this leadership transition, Amnesty International Philippines also welcomed its newly elected Board of Trustees for 2025–2027. The new board brings together diverse governance and advocacy experience essential to the changing human rights landscape in the Philippines. Among the new trustees are leaders with strong professional background in finance, data analytics, youth engagement experience in global and regional platforms, where the Filipino youth they have represented in human rights discussions and mobilizing communities.
“The incoming BoT is composed of child rights and LGBTQI advocates, deeply involved in organizing and leading inclusive, intersectional community initiatives. We also have board members who are governance and human resources leaders, who have spent decades involved in social development work, and having led CSR teams, managed organizational performance systems, with experiences on taking active roles in grassroots campaigns for land and Indigenous Peoples’ rights and environmental protection.” shared Cabe.
The appointment of a new Section Director and the election of the new Board reflect Amnesty’s clear commitment to transformation while preserving the heart of its mission. Together in leadership, they represent continuity and bold change and will be steering a dedicated group of human rights defenders ready to fight for a future where dignity is protected, and human rights are non-negotiable.
“We have inherited a legacy of courage, and it is our responsibility to carry it forward, clearer and stronger, with full empathy. This is a moment to build forward. Every community deserves nothing less.” Concluded Santos.