On January 17, a complaint to disbar former President Rodrigo Duterte in the Supreme Court was filed by families of victims of his campaign of killings and repression, as well as human rights groups. They said that Duterte should be disbarred for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) and for “conduct unbecoming” as a lawyer.

“We support this initiative as part of efforts to hold Duterte accountable for violations of human and people’s rights,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said. Palabay is also among the 17 who filed the complaint against Duterte.

Alongside Palabay was Atty. VJ Topacio, son of the slain revolutionary couple Eugenia Magpantay and Agaton Topacio; Liezel Asuncion, wife of slain activist leader Manny Asuncion; Llore Pasco, mother of two killed in the “war on drugs”; relatives of other victims, priests and nuns, and leaders of national democratic organizations.

The petitioners said Duterte grossly disregarded ethical standards and the rule of law in his public admission that he led a death squad, incited violence and gender-based abuse, promoted a culture of impunity, and incited extrajudicial killings.

“We believe it is time for victims of human rights violations to speak up. It is time for us to appeal to the Supreme Court to reinforce how the law should work in the Philippines, how the law should shield victims of human rights violations,” Atty. Topacio said. He said the complaint is also in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statement that she will serve as her father’s lawyer in facing the impeachment complaint.

Pasco, on the other hand, said that it was clear to her, when they were at the Quadcom hearing, that Rodrigo Duterte wanted to silence and intimidate them. That is why she asked the Supreme Court justices to protect victims like them from the former president’s campaign of killings and repression.

Karapatan and the families of the victims hope that the Supreme Court will give their petition due attention and sufficient time.