Petition filed to disbar Duterte

LED by human rights group Karapatan, families of victims of extrajudicial killings filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking the revocation of former president Rodrigo Duterte's license to practice law. The petitioners were accusing Duterte of gross violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which they said undermined human rights and eroded the rule of law. "This complaint is a necessary step to reinforce how the law should work in the Philippines, shielding victims of human rights violations and ensuring the dignified practice of law," said Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay. The complainants include lawyer Vicente Jaime Topacio whose parents, National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants Agaton Topacio and Eugenia Magpantay, were allegedly killed in a police raid in November 2020; Llore Pasco, whose sons Crisanto and Juan Carlos were allegedly killed during a 2017 police anti-drug operation; Liezel Asuncion whose husband, Bayan-Cavite coordinator Manny Asuncion, was allegedly killed during the 2021 "Bloody Sunday" raids; Rosenda Lemita, whose daughter Ana Mariz and son-in-law Ariel Evangelista were allegedly killed during the "Bloody Sunday" raids; Lean Porquia, son of slain Bayan Muna-Panay coordinator Jory Porquia; former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo; Fr. Manuel Gatchalian; and cultural workers Bonifacio Ilagan and Kiri Dalena. "Duterte's actions devalue the legal community's role in upholding justice and human rights. His conduct is incompatible with the ethical standards required of a lawyer," said Topacio.