Former President Rodrigo Duterte faces disbarment complaint over war on drugs
Paulo Gaborni January 17, 2025 at 01:55 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims and human rights advocates have filed a disbarment case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing him of violating legal ethics and professional conduct due to his role in the country’s bloody war on drugs.
The petition, lodged before the Supreme Court on Friday, January 17, argues that the former president displayed “conduct unbecoming of a lawyer” and breached the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.
The complainants cite his public admissions of leading a death squad, inciting violence, and disregarding legal due process.
“Witness po tayong lahat dito, witness ang buong mamamayan dito,” said lawyer Vicente Jaime Topacio in an interview. “Nakita natin kung paano nagmura, kung papaano laitin ang mga kababaihan, kung papaano i-shortcut ang proseso, kung papaano ibalewala ang proseso, kung papaano pumatay ng tao ang taong ito.”
“Wala po siyang karapatan maging abugado po sa ating bansa,” Topacio added.
The case is being brought forward by individuals like Llore Pasco, whose sons, Crisanto and Juan Carlos, were killed in an anti-drug operation in May 2017.
“‘Yan po ang hiling namin na sana po ay dinggin kami ng SC. Bigyan din po ng dignidad ang aming pagkatao na magkaroon po kami ng karapatan at magkaroon po kami ng hustisya,” she said. “Tamang hustisya po dahil ‘yun naman po talaga ang gusto ng mga pamilya.”
Despite the risks, Pasco vowed that she and other victims’ families would not stop seeking justice.
Duterte’s Controversial Legacy
Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, oversaw a brutal anti-drug campaign. According to government data, at least 6,200 drug suspects were killed in police operations from June 2016 to November 2021. However, human rights groups estimate the death toll to be as high as 30,000, many of whom were suspected drug offenders and small-time users.
Duterte has repeatedly defended his hardline policies, dismissing human rights concerns and international investigations.
“I and I alone take full legal responsibility sa lahat ng nagawa ng mga pulis pursuant to my order. Ako ang managot at ako ang makulong. ‘Wag ang pulis na sumunod sa order ko. Kawawa naman, nagtatrabaho lang,” Duterte said.
“My mandate as President of the Republic was to protect the country and the Filipino people. Do not question my policies because I offer no apologies, no excuses. I did what I had to do. Whether you believe it or not, I did [it] for my country,” Duterte stressed.
The disbarment case comes at a politically charged time, as Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, faces three impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives. She previously stated that her father would serve as her legal counsel in the impeachment proceedings.
The Supreme Court has yet to comment on the disbarment petition.
📷 Rody Duterte FB