Disbarment Complaint Filed Against Ex-President Duterte by Families of EJK Victims

By Joahna Lei Casilao, GMA Integrated News

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights advocates have filed a disbarment complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte with the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday. The complaint accuses Duterte of actions unbecoming of a lawyer, citing his role in the controversial war on drugs and alleged violations of due process. During the filing, advocates carried placards bearing Duterte’s image with messages such as: “Mamamatay tao hindi karapat-dapat na abogado” (a killer shouldn’t be a lawyer) and “Bastos hindi karapat-dapat na abogado” (a rude person shouldn’t be a lawyer). Atty. Vicente Jaime Topacio, one of the complainants, emphasized in an interview: “We are all witnesses, along with the entire community. We have seen how this person has insulted others, belittled women, taken shortcuts in the process, disregarded due process, and taken lives.” Topacio added, “He has no right to be a lawyer in our country.” The complaint has drawn attention to Duterte’s controversial actions during his presidency, especially regarding his alleged involvement in EJKs and the impact of his rhetoric on the legal profession. The filing of the disbarment complaint represents a significant legal challenge to the former president, raising critical questions about accountability and the standards expected of legal professionals.

Photo by: Philippine Star