Human rights advocates and the families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims filed a disbarment complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte before the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday.
The disbarment case is related to the Duterte administration's anti-illegal drug campaign, during which extrajudicial killings (EJKs) were reportedly carried out, allegedly resulting in the deaths of thousands.
Among the complainants is Atty. Vicente Jaime Topacio, whose parents, National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants Agaton Topacio and Eugenia Magpantay, were killed in their home in November 2020.
Atty. Topacio stated that lawyers are held to high ethical standards, noting that during the previous administration, there was evident blatant disrespect and alleged bullying by Duterte.
He further emphasized that the former president is unfit to be a lawyer, citing his disregard for legal processes, attempts to shortcut procedures, and violation of the country’s laws.
According to Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, they support the initiative as part of the effort to hold Duterte accountable for human rights violations and injustices against the people.
"Isa lang po ang mensahe nung complaint, 'Duterte ay kriminal, bastos, mamamatay tao, at hindi siya karapat-dapat na abogado'," said Palabay.
She added that the details of their complaint could not be disclosed due to the sub-judice rule but noted that it includes allegations of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, as well as engaging in conduct unbecoming of a lawyer.
Palabay expressed hope that their complaint would be granted, especially since Duterte volunteered to serve as one of Vice President Sara Duterte's lawyers in her impeachment proceedings, should it push through.
"Ayaw na naming marinig si Duterte sa impeachment trial if he will just be uttering the same, again, gamit ang kanyang chapa bilang isang abogado at dating prosecutor,” she added.
In filing the complaint, the families of the victims of the "Bloody Sunday" killings in Southern Tagalog in 2021 were also present.
Meanwhile, in October 2024, Duterte appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and reiterated his full responsibility for all actions taken by the police during the implementation of his administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The former President emphasized that he took a firm and uncompromising approach to tackling the illegal drug problem, acknowledging both the achievements and the shortcomings of the campaign.
