The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Thursday refuted Presidential Adviser Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo 'Larry' Gadon's accusations against the Supreme Court (SC) regarding his disbarment.
According to the IBP, Gadon claimed that he was disbarred due to SC Associate Justice Marivic Leonen's alleged vendetta against him during a television interview.
It added that the Anti-poverty czar also proclaimed that he was targeted by Leonen because he is a staunch supporter of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
"Such claims are baseless, malicious, and untrue. The Supreme Court is a collegial body. It takes at least one division, or the Court sitting en banc to render a valid judgment," the IBP said.
"Statement that gives the impression that Justices of the Supreme Court can be influenced by one Justice or that the Supreme Court can be influenced by one Justice, or that the Supreme Court's decision is tainted by politics are most unfair and contemptuous," it added.
The lawyers' organization also denounced the anti-poverty czar's accusation that SC employees want to "leverage his disbarment for certain favors from the President", saying that these are "malicious, disrespectful, and also contemptuous."
It stressed that Gadon's recent action was "clear proof" that the higher court "made the right decision" to deprive him of practicing law.
"The IBP stands squarely behind the Honorable Supreme Court, particularly the Court's integrity and independence in the discharge of its functions," the organization furthered.
In June, the SC disbarred Gadon due to the "Misogynistic, Sexist, Abusive and Repeated Intemperate Language" he used against a journalist in a viral video.
But despite the order, Malacañang said Gadon remains the Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation.
