Lawyer questions IBP statement vs CJ impeachment

A lawyer on Friday questioned the stand of the leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) opposing the impeachment of Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona.

“They were not authorized to adopt such a stand without consulting all IBP members. They don’t speak for all members,” lawyer Freddie Venida, a member of the IBP Paranaque-Las Piñas chapter said.

Venida, a practicing corporate and civil lawyer for 15 years, said the statement “No to impeachment, defend the institution” signed by IBP president Roan Libarios and several members of the board of governors should not be treated as the position of the entire IBP.

“We have our opinions on the impeachment issue. All members should have been consulted first before coming out with such a stand. They (IBP leaders) were not elected for the purpose of making political statements,” he said.

In the IBP statement issued Dec. 14, the group expressed its “grave concern” over the “breakneck” impeachment of the chief justice, saying it subverted the constitutional allocation of powers and prerogatives of the Supreme Court.