The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) awarded three National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) members at the first IBP Human Rights Award ceremony held on December 5 at the Ortigas Center. They were honored for their “unceasing promotion of human rights,” the IBP Human Rights Committee said.

The IBP bestowed the awards on Atty. Edre Olalia (for Luzon), Atty. Kristian Jacob A. Lora (Visayas), and Atty. Antonio C. Azarcon (Mindanao). These three lawyers have bravely represented victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and other state violations of human rights over the years.

“May you remain an instrument for social justice and an amplifier of courage for everyone to keep up the fight for the advancement of people’s rights and welfare,” the IBP stated. The awards were presented by prominent lawyers, including former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. The Supreme Court’s Judicial Committee on Human Rights chair Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen also attended.

Atty. Olalia has been providing legal representation to clients from the poor and marginalized sectors for over three decades. His advocacy as a public interest lawyer began in 1995 when he defended overseas Filipino worker Flor Contemplacion, who was wrongly convicted in Singapore. He also led the efforts to have General Jovitor Palparan arrested for the abduction of activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño. He served as the lawyer for Mary Jane Veloso, who has been on death row for the past decades.

Atty. Olalia is currently the president of NUPL and one of the founders of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, a global network that promotes human rights, justice, and peace in countries. “We have brave clients who deserve brave lawyers,” Atty. Olalia said, reflecting the NUPL’s stance.

Atty. Lora is part of the new and younger generation of public interest lawyers. He began as an activist at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Cebu and is now part of the Visayas Community Law Center (VCLC), which serves the poor communities in the Visayas. Among the cases he successfully handled are the release of political prisoners known as the “Escalante 6” and “Himamaylan 3,” and the dismissal of “terrorism” charges or violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act against activists.

Atty. Azarcon is the Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) president and NUPL vice president. He has been a lawyer in the Philippines for nearly five decades and has handled numerous cases defending human rights. Atty. Azarcon was arrested in 1983 for his role in the Coalition for the Restoration of Democracy. He bravely fought against the US-Marcos dictatorship and continues to advocate for the common people.

The NUPL praised its three members. “Your work stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when justice is pursued in service of the people,” the organization stated. The NUPL is optimistic that the dedication of these three will inspire more lawyers to take up the mantle of defending the poor and marginalized and promoting justice.

The group emphasized that this honor for their members highlights the critical role of human rights advocacy in the legal profession. “It reinforces the crucial role of public interest lawyers in defending rights and freedom, fighting impunity, and promoting systemic change,” they said.

The IBP is the official national organization of all Filipino lawyers.