IMAGINE at least 61 lawyers being killed under the administration of Rodrigo Duterte — a lawyer — as President of the Philippines. Imagine that more lawyers were killed in those six years compared to the 44-year period spanning from Martial Law until the term of President Benigno Aquino III.
Now imagine the national organization of Philippine lawyers, composed of nine regions scattered across our islands, praising Duterte “as a pillar of inspiration to the legal community.” What a truly wicked, vicious world we live in, wouldn’t you say?
The plaque — the IBP Golden Pillar of Law Award — was given by the 27th Board of Governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and signed by the IBP National President. It was “proudly presented” to Duterte “in grateful recognition of fifty (50) years of distinguished and dedicated service to the legal profession, upholding the ideals of justice, integrity, and the rule of law, whether in private practice or public service.”
It bestowed this great distinction even after Duterte has been charged with crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder while Mayor and President, even after Duterte has admitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that, “Ang sinabi ko, ganito, prangkahan tayo. Encourage the criminals to fight. Encourage them to draw their guns. Iyan ang instruction ko… Encourage them lumaban. Pagka lumaban, patayin ninyo para matapos na ang problema ko sa siyudad ko.”
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Davao Chapter) insisted that there was nothing wrong with the IBP’s actions.
“Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” they said.
Lawyers must “rise above biases,” they said.
The accolade was not political, they said.
This was political, make no mistake about it. If the IBP would make such a controversial move, at the very least they should own their biases up front. Have the guts to say that they did it because they did not really care about their lawyer-members, or the dignity of their profession, their duty to improve the administration of justice and the legal system.
What is it about today’s IBP? Its allegiance is supposed to be to the rule of law. It used those very same words when it published a statement after the Supreme Court’s decision in the VP impeachment case of Duterte v. House of Representatives; and yet, the ambiguous and misleading sentiments in that statement betrayed the intention of the leaders of the organization.
If they wanted to favor this one man, his family and influence, they could have used something else but not the Bar — individually, they must have resources to promote anyone they wish to promote. And definitely the IBP should stop announcing the Good Governance Council and the commitment to promote accountability. The public would benefit from valuable actions; they have had enough of lawyerly talk.
I am a member of the IBP because that is mandated, but at times like this, I feel used and ignored, my profession abused to its core. What can salvage our oath and reputation?
A treatise on law and conscience will not do. The IBP should apologize to the 61 dead lawyers and their families. The IBP should offer their services to the victims of the drug war who are pursuing cases involving crimes against humanity. The IBP should withdraw that award.
What’s an award, anyway? It’s just brass. Not much use for anyone facing the trial of a lifetime./PN
