Juan Fidel Nograles -CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker cried foul over the request of a police officer in Calbayog City to a local court for a list of lawyers representing alleged “communist terrorist group (CTG) personalities in court,” saying “lawyering is not a crime.”
Rizal 2nd District Rep. Fidel Nograles, who is a lawyer himself, said police “have no business meddling with affairs of the court.”
“Last I checked lawyering is not a crime, regardless of who you represent. Lawyers must not be targeted for upholding constitutionally and universally guaranteed rights,” Nograles said in a statement.
“We cannot condone this overreach by the Calbayog City police, which undermines the administration of justice through intimidation, hidden behind the veil of courtesy and pseudo-legality,” he added.
Nograles, who also serves as the vice-chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, also warned leaders of law enforcement agencies not to allow such “requests” to be standard procedure.
“I urge our DILG and PNP leadership to quickly dispel this mistaken notion that police stations have the authority to ask for such lists,” Nograles said.
“In a climate where lawyers are put to the sword regularly without anyone being punished, it sends a message that those who choose to defend those who are out of favor will be under close watch simply for upholding their oaths as lawyers,” he added.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spokesperson Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia earlier said the move of PLt. Fernando Calabria, Jr. to request for the list of lawyers “is unbecoming of a police officer” and “transcends all legal and statutory basis.”
PNP officer in charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar earlier announced that Calabria had been relieved from his post.