MANILA, Philippines — Appointments to vacancies at the Commission on Human Rights did not include consultations with civil society groups, rights watchdogs said, adding the process of picking commissioners was not transparent. Former Malacañang deputy secretary Richard Palpal-latoc is the new chairperson of the CHR while former Ombudsman investigator Beda Espres has been named a commissioner. CHR needs three more commissioners. As rights groups called on the new CHR appointees to show independence and transparency in investigating violations involving civil and political rights, they also note…