EJK victims, HR advocates eye disbarment of Rody

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FAMILIES of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights advocate are set to file today before the Supreme Court (SC) a disbarment case against former President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte.

The petitioners, led by Lean Porquia, lawyer VJ Topacio, and Llore Pasco, and families of EJK victims said Duterte should be disbarred for violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability and for conduct unbecoming a lawyer.

“He has demonstrated a gross disregard for ethical standards and the rule of law through his public admissions of leading a death squad, encouraging violence and gender-based abuse, fostering a culture of impunity, and by inciting the commission of extrajudicial killings,” an advisory issued on Thursday by human rights group Karapatan said of the disbarment raps.

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Topacio said the disbarment petition becomes more relevant considering that the former president has been announced as one of the legal counsels of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, in the impeachment process against her.

Last month, the House of Representatives adopted the recommendation of the quad committee to file criminal complaints against Duterte and his former top aides Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go — both now senators seeking reelection — over alleged EJKs committed in the pursuit of the previous administration’s war on drugs.

During the quad committee hearing in November last year, Duterte admitted before lawmakers that he ordered the killing of illegal drug manufacturers and dealers in his drug war but denied that his order included drug addicts.

He also confirmed his previous statements that he directed police officers to encourage suspected criminals to fight back to justify their killing.

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