Rappler's latest stories on Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Progressive orgs slam Duterte for taking advantage of pandemic to attack media
The Save Our Schools Network says it believes the conviction is part of the Duterte administration's aim to silence critical media

IBP questions jail sentence for Maria Ressa despite SC guidance to set only fines
Manila Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa says social media makes 'the keyboard mightier than the pen and thus mightier than the sword'
IBP to Duterte: Veto non-judicial arrests and 24-day detention in anti-terror bill
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines also questions the provision on broadened surveillance, which covers people who have not yet been declared as terrorists by a court
In Duterte’s Philippines, lawyers are pandemic frontliners too
The case of San Roque 21 was a stress test of the electronic judicial system – with notable gaps that had lawyers stepping out of their homes
Coronavirus patients urged to waive confidentiality: ‘Being diagnosed not a crime, stigma’
'By being candid, the COVID-19 patients and PUI’s will help most their family members, friends, co-workers and those they were close with,' says a joint statement by 3 organizations of doctors and lawyers

IBP offers legal help to protect frontliners
'We will uphold their rights and defend them against any inequity or prejudice,' says national president Domingo Egon Cayosa
IBP head warns gov't: NTC permit to ABS can be challenged
Even Justice Secretary Guevarra recognizes that his own solution could be brought to court. At least, he says, Congress can 'provide a tougher armor.'
IBP on Ampatuan verdict: Delayed justice breeds despair, corruption
While it welcomes the conviction of suspects in the Ampatuan massacre, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines laments the delay and pushes for reforms in the judicial process

Amid crackdown, IBP agrees to 'briefing' by anti-communism body
'In the first place communism isn’t outlawed as a belief and membership in the communist party is no longer a crime. So why even bother to listen to such a briefing?' says Law professor and human rights lawyer Ted Te
IBP president: We have more democratic space now
'With technology and the reality that we have more democratic space, the less afraid we should be,' says IBP national president Domingo Egon Cayosa
Supreme Court spares IBP, Diokno in West PH Sea case mess
The SC says, 'Counsels for petitioners were sternly warned that the commission of the same or similar infractions in the future would be dealt with more severely'
Supreme Court: IBP must prove fishermen knew of West PH Sea petition
Even after withdrawing the fishermen's petition, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines is not out of trouble yet
Bikoy links: IBP mulls disclosing press con details to authorities
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines' current and former presidents are included in the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group's inciting to sedition complaint over the Bikoy videos

Supreme Court issues gag order in fishermen's West PH Sea petition
(UPDATED) Solicitor General Jose Calida has traded barbs with Integrated Bar of the Philippines and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno
Not dropping case yet: IBP's new leaders stand by West PH Sea petition
The handling lawyers ask the Supreme Court for more time to talk to fishermen from Palawan and Zambales after 19 of them give affidavits to the Duterte government to disown the petition
Lawyer asks Supreme Court to investigate IBP over 'Bikoy' issue
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio says in a 3-page letter filed with the office of Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin it was 'highly improper' for the IBP to allow political use of their premises

Two lawyers killed in separate incidents
(3rd UPDATE) Adilberto Golla Jr was killed Rodriguez, Rizal, while Val Crisostomo was ambushed in Dagupan, Pangasinan

IBP to investigate 'Bikoy' press conference
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines says it will determine who must be held accountable for Peter Joemel Advincula's press conference at the IBP headquarters

IBP in hot water over Bikoy; heads face disbarment complaint
Solicitor General Jose Calida also calls for the resignation of current national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo, whose term is expiring on June 30
IBP declines Bikoy's request for legal aid
'Mr Advincula may not be provided free legal assistance based on the standards provided for in the National Center for Legal Aid Manual of Operations in approving such requests,' says the IBP

Bikoy surfaces, asks help from IBP to sue Paolo Duterte, Bong Go
(4th UPDATE) The man called Bikoy surfaces as Peter Joemel Advincula, seeking to sue Paolo Duterte, Bong Go, and Manases Carpio

SC to gov't: Explain red-tagging, West PH Sea neglect
In the case of the writ of amparo for human rights lawyers, it's President Rodrigo Duterte himself who must submit a response to the Supreme Court
Lawyers score SC victories vs army harassment, West PH Sea neglect
Writs of amparo and kalikasan are issued on the same day in favor of human rights groups which sued the Duterte administration in two separate petitions

Foreign delegation probing lawyer killings in PH claims heavy surveillance
Both the police and the military snub the international delegation of lawyers who managed to secure interviews with prosecutors and judges
Groups denounce killing of lawyer in Davao del Norte
(3rd UPDATE) 'Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges are being targeted with surging frequency and impunity,' says the Integrated Bar of the Philippines following the killing of lawyer Rex Jasper Lopoz in Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Assess lawyers, judges regularly – IBP executive VP
Assessing lawyers and judges regularly is important to maintain judicial independence, says IBP executive vice president Egon Cayosa

Rappler Talk: IBP's Egon Cayosa on judicial independence
On Monday, February 18, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug talks to Integrated Bar of the Philippines executive vice president Egon Cayosa about issues surrounding the judiciary

[OPINION] Judicial independence: Democratic counterweight to populist sentiment
As the unelected branch of government, the judiciary’s sole standard of action is the rule of law rather than the public pulse. This is an essential democratic counterweight to the popularly elected officers of government.

IBP hits DOJ for 'mischief' in Trillanes case
'The chaos that may result from the endeavors to bring Senator Trillanes to face 'justice' ironically undermines our systems,' says the Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Makati court can't just reopen Trillanes case – IBP
'A judgment that has become final can no longer be disturbed except to correct clerical errors,' says IBP national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo

International Criminal Court issue will mark Duterte presidency
‘He made his drug war a central point. How he handles the many deaths being committed around it will mark his presidency,’ says an international human rights lawyer
PH staying in International Criminal Court 'insurance' vs impunity
It is not only a question of whether courts are working, but also if there is an effective investigation at the prosecutorial level
Arrest of lawyers in Makati bar 'very grave cause for concern' – IBP
Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Abdiel Fajardo reminds the police that lawyers too 'are officers of the court'

Duterte hits IBP for opposing warrantless arrest of 'tambays'
President Rodrigo Duterte dares Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Abdiel Fajardo to bring him to the Supreme Court

IBP 'implores' Supreme Court to reverse Sereno ouster
'With due respect, the Honorable Court's narrowly drawn ruling shows the use of the law to pursue a desired result, that is, the ouster of the Chief Justice,' says the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Ombudsman Morales begins farewell: Don't be silent
'If we find ourselves continually abused and without recourse, isn’t it because, with our silence and inaction, we gave our consent?' says Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales

IBP to appeal Sereno ouster; lawyers called to rise up
However, constitutional law experts say it is only Congress which is in a position to challenge the quo warranto

Pinoy Ako Blog's Jover Laurio files disbarment complaint vs Gadon
Blogger Jover Laurio and other protesters who were cursed by lawyer Larry Gadon in Baguio City want him disbarred over his behavior


Law groups to U.N. expert: Probe Duterte threats vs judiciary
Malacañang, however, says President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno only show his 'dislike' of her, and not of the judiciary

Groups to hold vigil for Sereno as SC starts summer session in Baguio
The organizations urge the Supreme Court not to entertain the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and to instead let the impeachment trial in the Senate proceed

IBP seeks dismissal of quo warranto petition vs Sereno
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines says its intervention will note that under the 1987 Charter, 'impeachment is the only mode of removal of an impeachable officer for an impeachable offense'

IBP: Scrutinize Duterte decision to withdraw from Int'l Criminal Court first
Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo says there must be 'diligent study and debate' about such a move that concerns the entire country

Nene Pimentel, IBP, Namfrel reject no-election scenario in May 2019
'The principal effect of a no-election scenario would be to upset the constitutional mandate that requires elective officials to be subjected to periodic check by the sovereign people,' says former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr

Evading probes? The many times Duterte admin didn't give drug war documents
Requests for documents related to the government's anti-drug campaign by various local bodies were mostly rejected and the reasons cited – if their letters were even given a reply at all – all point towards protecting national security

Keep 'balance of power' in government – IBP head
'If we are to stick to the rule of law, the balance of power must not be disturbed,' says Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Abdiel Fajardo on Rappler Talk

IBP exploring possibility of filing for writ of kalikasan to protect PH marine territories
'We saw that instead of moving the ball forward to a goal, the Philippine government somehow froze the ball and now the ball is now being brought towards the opposite direction,' Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo says

Impeachment should be 'last resort' – IBP national president
'It is an extreme measure and should be based only on the gravest sin that would amount to flagrant violations of the Constitution,' says Integrated Bar of the Philippines national president Abdiel Fajaro

Rappler Talk: IBP national president Abdiel Fajardo on the rule of law
On Thursday, February 15, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug speaks to Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo on the role of lawyers as the rule of law is challenged in the country

IBP partners with CHR to provide free legal aid to victims of rights violations
In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) says the involvement of IBP with its current 60,000-membership now 'sends forth a ripple of hope in this troubling and violent crimes besetting our country'
