Kristine Joy Patag – Philstar.com November 8, 2021
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:23 p.m.) — Less than a week before elections to the panel, more than 150 lawyers raised their objection to the nomination of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to the International Law Commission.
A total of 152 lawyers wrote to nearly 200 Permanent Missions and Member States at the United Nations General Assembly to register their “vehement objection” to Roque’s candidacy for the international law panel.
Among the notable signatories of the letter is detained Sen, Leila de Lima, a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The lawyers noted that Roque has defended and justified his principal Duterte, who is now under investigation by the International Criminal Court for allegations of crimes against humanity over the bloody “war on drugs.”
— Less than a week before elections to the panel, more than 150 lawyers raised their objection to the nomination of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to the International Law Commission.
A total of 152 lawyers wrote to nearly 200 Permanent Missions to United Nations of Member States of General Assembly to register their “vehement objection” to Roque’s candidacy to join the international law panel.
Among the notable signatories of the letter is detained Sen, Leila de Lima, a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The lawyers noted that Roque has defended and justified his principal Duterte, who is now under investigation by the International Criminal Court for allegations of crimes against humanity over the bloody “war on drugs.”
The lawyers said that “as a lawyer, [Roque] is supposed to be a purveyor of facts and the truth and should uphold the administration of justice, a role he has sacrificed in exchange for his blind loyalty to a strongman president.” They said they fear that Roque will bring that “blind loyalty” to the ILC.
The UN General Assembly could elect Roque to the ILC as one of eight representatives from Asia-Pacific states to sit for five years beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
The ILC was instrumental in the creation of the International Criminal Court as it helped draft the statute that created the tribunal that tries genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
The election of the ILC is set on November 12.
Undermining international mechanisms
The lawyers said of the president’s spokesman: “Quite incongruous for a professed international law expert, he has openly undermined international mechanisms on accountability like the [International Criminal Court], the UN Human Rights Council, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
“As fellow lawyers, we are scandalized by his spins and reinvention of basic legal principles and concepts in his zealousness to repackage President Duterte’s pronouncements of questionable legal and constitutional bases,” they added.
They also noted that Roque has “rationalized extrajuidicial killings” and “tolerated weaponization of the law against activists, dissenters and the opposition.”
They also accused the former human rights lawyer of red-tagging those who sought to oppose his nomination.
Among the signatories of this letter to the ILC are former law deans Pacifico Agabin and JV Bautista, former Solicitor General Joel Cadiz, former Reps. Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna) and Erin Tañada (Quezon City) and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Ade Fajardo.
Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay) and Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Edre Olalia and law professor Howard Calleja also signed the letter.
The Free Legal Assistance Group also sent at least two letters to the ILC, expressing their objection to Roque’s nomination to sit in the panel. Roque’s nomination also earned objection from the University of the Philippines, Diliman where he obtained his law degree and taught constitutional law and public international law for 15 years.
(Letter below)
We, members of the Philippine Bar, in our individual and/or organizational capacities, respectfully put on record our vehement OBJECTION to the candidacy of Filipino lawyer HERMINIO “HARRY” ROQUE JR. to the UN International Law Commission.
Atty. Roque is the official spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte who is now facing investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings and other violations in the so-called “drug war.”
Unfortunately, Harry has unbelievably defended and justified President Duterte’s pronouncements enabling extrajudicial killings, attacks on the rule of law and due process and on his unacceptable positions on human rights, justice, pandemic responses and good governance.
Quite incongruous for a professed international law expert, he has openly undermined international mechanisms on accountability like the ICC, the UN Human Rights Council, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Harry has also publicly enfeebled platforms for resolutions of conflicts like the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
As a lawyer, he is supposed to be a purveyor of facts and the truth and should uphold the administration of justice, a role he has sacrificed in exchange for his blind loyalty to a strongman president. We fear he will bring this with him to the ILC.
Lamentably, Harry has rationalized extrajudicial killings and tolerated the weaponization of the law against activists, dissenters and the opposition. He is very sensitive to legitimate criticism and even berated media and health professionals calling out government on its policies and practices.
As fellow lawyers, we are scandalized by his spins and reinvention of basic legal principles and concepts in his zealousness to repackage President Duterte’s pronouncements of questionable legal and constitutional bases.
Even more appalling for us is that Mr. Roque has baselessly ascribed less than noble motives and even publicly red-tagged or labelled anyone who oppose his nomination and candidacy to the ILC.
For these reasons alone, we regret as his brethren to express our considered view that to allow his undeserved election to the ILC would be an aberration to its mandate, might diminish its standing before the international community of nations, and even affect its credibility as a body that will initiate studies and make recommendations to encourage the progressive development and codification of international law.
Hence, we are compelled to ask your Permanent Mission to decline giving our very own colleague in the legal profession Mr. Roque your crucial vote in his candidacy to be a member of the ILC. ###
(Note: 152 signatories as of 8 November 2021, 315 p.m. Philippine time)
Name Designation Organization
Noemi Abarientos Children’s Legal Bureau
Andrei Andresan Integrated Bar of the Philippines Surigao Sur
Pacifico Agabin Law Professor University of the Philippines College of Law
Juan Alfonso
Aileen Almora
Minerva Ambrosio Manlaban sa EJK
Lawrence Aquino National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Joseph Areno Vice President Integrated Bar of Philippines – Iloilo
Antonio Azarcon Chairman Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Mae Azores National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -Bikol
Raymond Baguilat Integrated Bar of Philippines – Ifugao
Cristina Balajadia UP Women Lawyers Circle
Eleanor Balaquiao Integrated Bar of Philippines – Camarines Sur
Edgardo Balgos Board Member Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Board
Danilo Balucos Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Charadine Bandon Integrated Bar of Philippines
Voltaire Banzon
Carolyn Baterna Integrated Bar of Philippines
Janne Baterna National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -Panay
Dana Batnag National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -NCR
JV Bautista Law Dean Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties
Sherrylynne Bautista
Mary Bayang Indigenous Peoples Rights International
Jose Begil Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Purificacion Bernabe President International Pro Bono Alliance
Raul Bitoon Integrated Bar of Philippines – Negros
Noel Bose Law Professor
Jeremy Bueno III National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Ilocos Sur
Jose Cadiz Former Solicitor General
Howard Calleja Law Professor
Pura Calleja Free Legal Assistance Group
Edgar Carmona National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers –Camarines
Ruth Cervantes National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -NCR
Hilda Clave Artikulo Tres
Francisca Claver Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Neri Colmenares Chairperson National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Kristina Conti Public Interest Law Center
Marra Cordero Integrated Bar of Philippines – Iloilo City
Reynaldo Cortes Chairperson Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Ephraim Cortez Secretary General National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Michael de Castro Leflegis
Josalee Deinla Spokesperson National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Edwin Dela Cruz International Seafarers Action Center
Ericson Dela Cruz National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – CL
Adan Delamide Integrated Bar of Philippines – Capiz
Lovely De La Torre Integrated Bar of Philippines – Iloilo City
Norma de Leon Prayer Battalion for Truth and Justice
Jocel Dilag Free Legal Assistance Group
Elpidio Digaum Former President Integrated Bar of the Philippines -Surigao
Jenny Domino International Commission of Jurists
Christopher Donaal Free Legal Assistance Group
Rene Estocapio Vice President National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -Iloilo
Miles Evans Integrated Bar of Philippines – Makati
Abdiel Fajardo Former President Integrated Bar of Philippines
Susan Fernandez Portia Sorority Alumnae Association
Camille Flores Integrated Bar of Philippines –Quezon City
Alnie Foja National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -NCR
Mary Fokno Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Ruben Fruto Former Law Professor
Eduardo Gaanan Jr. International Pro Bono Alliance
Annette Gengos Integrated Bar of Philippines – Iloilo City
Dennis Gorecho University of the Philippines Law Batch 1998
Angelo Guillen Officer National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Iloilo
Emmanuel Jabla Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties
Charles Juloya National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – La Union
Tomas Junco Jr. President Integrated Bar of Philippines – Guimaras
Philip Jurado Former Government Corporate Counsel
Randy Kinaud National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers– Ilocos
Anacleto Lacanilao Convenor Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties
Edcel Lagman Congressman House of Representatives
Carmelo Lasam
Nelson Lidua Jr. Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Francine Longid
Minerva Lopez Officer National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -NCR
Dexter Lopoz Spokesperson Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Kristian Lora Integrated Bar of Philippines – Cebu
Cipriano Lupeba Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Florisa Luteijn International Bar Association
Donna Manlangit Integrated Bar of Philippines
Ian Manticajon National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers -Cebu
Alan Mazo Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Vivienne Mendez Portia Sorority Alumnae Association
Felwina Mondina Pilipino Ass’n of Workers and Immigrants
Carlos Montemayor Jr. National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Kutch Montenegro Past President Integrated Bar of Philippines Surigao Sur
Leon Montilla Former President Integrated Bar of Philippines Surigao del Sur Joyce Moran Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Beverly Musni Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Beverly Musni, Yr. Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Czarina Musni Secretary General Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Oscar Musni Free Legal Assistance Group
Noel Neri Prolabor Legal Assistance Center
Beverly Noriega University of the Philippines Law Batch 1990
Virgilio Ocaya Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Shirley Olaguer Portia Sorority Alumnae Association
Edre Olalia President National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Rolando Rico Olalia
Julian Oliva Jr. National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Jobert Pahilga Executive Director Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo
Wylie Paler Integrated Bar of Philippines
Emilio Pana Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Katherine Panguban National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – NCR
Camille Parpan Free Legal Assistance Group
Rachel Pastores Managing Counsel Public Interest Law Center
Luz Perez Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo
King Perez Visayas Community Law Center
Isagani Pilaspilas Integrated Bar of Philippines -Iloilo City
Manuel Quibod Law Dean Ateneo de Davao College of Law
Jennifer Ramos Environmental Lawyer
Princess Ramirez Integrated Bar of Philippines
Stephanie Refina UP Portia Sorority Alumnae Association
Jude Romano Ateneo De Manila Law Batch 1989
Remigio Saladero Prolabor Legal Assistance Center
Catherine Salucon Vice President National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Isabela
Louie Santos Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Sandra Santos National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – NCR
Amylyn Sato Executive Director Public Interest Law Center
Maneeka Sarza National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – NCR
Fhillip Sawali Trustee Alyansa ng mga Abogado ng Bayan
Ryan Solano Integrated Bar of Philippines – Baguio-Benguet
Juan Senupe Jr.
Albert Silva Integrated Bar of Philippines – RSM
Leo Sombiro Jr. Former President Integrated Bar of Philippines – Iloilo City
Virginia Suarez Chairperson Kaisa Ka
Clodualdo Subaldo Jr. Integrated Bar of Philippines – Himamaylan
Maricar Sugayan UP Women Lawyers Circle
Filibon Tacardon Integrated Bar of Philippines – Quezon City
Mary Jane Tadili National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Fahima Tajar Labor Rights Defenders Network
Lorenzo Tanada IIII Former Congressman
Wigberto Tanada Former Senator
Wigberto Tanada Jr.
Reizel Tanchico Integrated Bar of Philippines – Makati
Rodel Taton Law Dean San Sebastian Graduate School of Law
Sol Taule Legal Counsel KARAPATAN
Frank Tiongson National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – NCR
Jose Mari Tirol Law Dean University of San Agustin College of law
VJ Topacio Prolabor Legal Assistance Center
Peter Trinidad Vice President Integrated Bar of Philippines – Surigao del Sur
Melva Valdez Portia Sorority Alumnae Association
Pilita Venturanza Integrated Bar of Philippines-Oriental Mindoro
Brenda Viernes National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – NCR
Cleto Villacorta III
Sarah Villamor National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Negros
Susan Villanueva President SAMASA
Eugenio Villareal Law Professor Former MTRCB Chair
Pamela Yabut
Cris Yambot Integrated Bar of Philippines – RSM
Marie Yuvienco
Jose Zafra IV Past President Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Surigao Sur
Carlos Zarate Congressman Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao