The Permanent Mission of the Philippines issued a Note Verbale on 23 January 2017 addressed to all Permanent Missions and to the President of the Human Rights Council requesting to defer its examination under the UPR Working Group, which was to take place on 8 May, to 2017. The official motive of the request was for “administrative considerations” due to the new administration’s agenda focused on governance and development. The Philippines also took the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.