MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday welcomed the recent action of the Supreme Court (SC) denouncing those who incite violence against judges and their families, and again urged the national government to take proactive action to protect members of the court.
The CHR also welcomed the assurance from Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo that courts and judges “are able to perform [their] duties free from any threat, harassment, undue influence, coercion and, certainly, any form of violence.”
These recent statements, usually rare from the high tribunal, came after former Palace official Lorraine Badoy made threats against Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar, who decided to dispose the government’s proscription case against the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The state rights watchdog has long been vocal against any form of violence, including incidences of Red-tagging, committed against lawyers, prosecutors and judges who were responding to their duty to uphold the rule of law.
“We cannot further stress the importance of protecting the independent work of the Judiciary and the legal profession as a whole,” CHR Executive Director Jacqueline de Guia said.
“As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR relies on the wisdom of our courts in adjudicating cases of alleged human rights violations so that perpetrators may be held to account and victims and their families receive the justice they deserve,” she added.
She again called on the government “to do its part,” including “the prompt and effective investigation and pursuit of cases by the security sector on threats and offenses.”
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