The Senate adopted a resolution condemning the rampant killings and acts of violence against members of the legal profession and urging the President to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and protection.
Senate Resolution No. 691 was introduced by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Sonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, Kiko Pangilinan, Koko Pimentel III and Francis Tolentino.
All senators were made co-authors of the resolution.
“We condemn, in the strongest sense, the killings of and acts of violence against members of the Bar and bench. To not act nor speak will be an act of cowardice,” Drilon said in his sponsorship speech.
“We seek justice for our slain colleagues.”
“We further urge the President to undertake the necessary steps in ensuring the safety and protection of the judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. We ask that he lays out definitive solutions and actions to address the rampant and unspeakable violence and killings. We petition for prompt, impartial, and efficient investigation and prosecution of the cases. We seek justice for our slain colleagues,” the veteran legislator added.
The seasoned lawmaker said that in the last 20 years, 100 lawyers were murdered.
Since 2016, data from the Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that 54 members of the legal profession had been killed, Drilon said.
Of that number, he said 13 were prosecutors and eight were judges.
The DOJ data showed that only five of the cases had actually reached the courts.
Drilon said the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) had pegged deaths at an even higher number at 61.
Aside from the killings, he said there were also threats, harassments, intimidations, surveillance, and some other forms of attacks, such as the rapid escalation of red-tagging against lawyers.
Drilon stressed the legal community was shook in early March by a request from a police lieutenant from Calbayog City to the Calbayog Regional Trial Court for a list of lawyers who represent terrorist/communist group personalities.
“The situation is made worse by the lack of general condemnation of prompt and efficient investigation, and impartial prosecution,” he said.
Drilon said the failure to condemn, investigate and prosecute the brazen killings against the legal community and bring the perpetrators to justice is an act of injustice in itself.
“Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges play a crucial role in the administration of justice in the country.”
He said lawyers, prosecutors, and judges play a crucial role in the administration of justice in the country, especially in representing the most marginalized members of the community.
“They should be able to exercise their sworn duties and represent their clients or dispense justice without threats, persecution and fear for their safety and their lives,” Drilon concluded.