The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is deeply concerned over the posting of a tarpaulin along EDSA that red-tags Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio. This came after she cleared journalist Lady Ann “Icy” Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
In the wake of recent violent attacks on judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and other legal professionals in the Philippines, such incriminating claims in the tarpaulin that links Judge Quisumbing-Ignacio to the Communist Party of the Philippines without any specific and verifiable evidence exposes her to grave danger. She is being attacked in connection to her decisions involving prosecutorial discretion and the exercise of due process rights.
As essential agents in the administration of justice, members of the legal profession “shall not be identified with their clients or their client’s causes as a result of discharging their functions.” This is provided in Article 18 of the United Nation Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. By doing so, we contribute in the direct deprivation of the people’s access to functioning and effective judiciary.
CHR continues to urge the government to act with resolve in reducing the violence on the ground and upholding the rule of law. The number of unresolved cases of attacks against citizens, including those member of the legal profession, worsens the culture of impunity in the country.
We stress that members of the legal profession, such as lawyers and judges, are crucial in preserving Constitutional rights, such as the right to an independent counsel; right to defend oneself in court; and right to speedy, public, and impartial trial among others.
The CHR urges the government to stay true and proactive in fulfilling its human rights commitments and to conduct genuine investigation on these cases.
Continuous harm, vilification, intimidation, and red tagging of lawyers and judges, if left unaddressed, may result in sending a chilling message to those who remain faithful in the performance of their legal duties. ###