Families of victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs have condemned the “Golden Pillar of Law Award” conferred on him by the Davao City chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), calling it a grave insult to justice and human rights.
Members of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a network of families and advocates, said the award contradicts the IBP’s supposed commitment to uphold the rule of law. “How does someone who took pride in violence and widespread killing deserve such an award?” the group asked.
The IBP clarified that Duterte was one of 600 recipients nationwide, and that the award merely recognizes his long-standing career as a lawyer. Duterte served as a prosecutor in Davao City before entering politics in 1986.
IBP communications director Katrina Mordeno told reporters, “The award was not meant to be a legal absolution or a moral endorsement.”
But families of victims questioned whether the IBP considered Duterte’s pending case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where he is accused of crimes against humanity. “Have they not considered that the person they are giving a trophy to is considered as among the most abominable beings in the entire world?” Rise Up said.
Several mothers of victims voiced their outrage:
“Kahiya-hiya! Ano ba ang batayan sa pagbibigay ng award ng IBP? Bilang ng taon ng may titulong abogado? Napakababaw kung ganoon. Ano bang naging ambag niya sa pagpapalaganap ng rule of law? Wala! Pagpapakita lang ito na malakas pa rin ang kanyang impluwensya,” said Dahlia Cuartero, whose son was killed in a drug-related police operation.
“Binigyan ng award ang responsable sa mga pagpaslang sa aming mga anak. Ang pagbigay ng award sa dating pangulong Duterte ay katumbas ng pagkunsinti sa kanyang krimen laban sa sangkatauhan,” said Tina Pascual.
“Walang konsiderasyon sa damdamin ng libo-libong pamilya na namatayan ng mahal sa buhay dahil sa war on drugs. Para sa aming pamilya ng biktima, ang award na ibinigay sa dating pangulo ay pagsang-ayon sa kanyang pahayag na ‘Kill, kill, kill!’ Hindi mapagtatakpan ng kahit anong award ang kanyang kasalanan sa aming mga biktima,” said Jane Lee.
“Kagulat-gulat ang ganitong balita ng parangal sa dating pangulo. Noong siya ay mayor ng Davao ay naglunsad siya ng Davao Death Squad. Nang siya ay naging presidente, inilunsad niya ang Oplan Tokhang. Kaya ang award na ito ay nakakahiya at insulto sa mga abogado na totoong naglilingkod ng tapat,” said Llore Pasco.
The group said the award dishonors the memory of thousands killed without due process. “We consider this a blasphemy to our grief and quest for justice,” they said. “There is no honor in a lawyer who instigated wanton violence against the people.”
Even fellow IBP awardees expressed disgust. Retired judge Meinrado Paredes announced he would return his trophy in protest. Edre Olalia, IBP’s inaugural human rights awardee for Luzon and president of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, called Duterte’s inclusion “most undeserving.”
Olalia said the decision mocks the IBP’s principles: “no master but law, no goal but justice, and no guide but conscience.”
“And to add insult to injury,” Olalia added, “the award gratuitously lionized [Duterte] for ‘distinguished and dedicated service in the legal profession…’ What incomparable irony.” | via Kodao Productions
