The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) blasted the red-tagging of National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) members, calling it a brazen assault on the rule of law and a direct strike at the heart of justice.
“An attack on one of us is an attack on the administration of justice. When an agent of justice has been subjected to silence and harassment, there is fear, and when there is fear, the entire justice system is undermined,” the IBP declared in a statement.
The NUPL, joined by other human rights lawyers, recently went to the Supreme Court to submit a letter seeking protective legal measures to shield members of the legal profession and human rights defenders from harassment and intimidation.
The IBP expressed solidarity with the petition, stressing that lawyers are guardians of fundamental rights such as fair trial, freedom of speech, and freedom of association.
“Protecting lawyers ensures they can fearlessly defend these rights against infringement by governments or other powerful entities,” the IBP said.
The statement comes amid growing concern over the spread of red-tagging into judicial processes, with legal groups urging the judiciary to act decisively to safeguard the independence of the legal profession. (ZIA LUNA)
