NUPL defends Makabayan leaders against politically motivated BP 880 charges
Today, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) assisted Makabayan senatorial candidates Liza Maza, Jerome Adonis, Modesto Floranda, Amirah Lidasan, and Eufemia Doringo in filing their counter-affidavits against trumped-up charges of violations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 or the Public Assembly Act with the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila. We strongly condemn the […]
January 15, 2025
NUPL
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers is a nationwide voluntary association of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, committed to the defense, protection, and promotion of human rights, especially of the poor and the oppressed.

Today, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) assisted Makabayan senatorial candidates Liza Maza, Jerome Adonis, Modesto Floranda, Amirah Lidasan, and Eufemia Doringo in filing their counter-affidavits against trumped-up charges of violations of Batas Pambansa Blg. 880 or the Public Assembly Act with the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila.

We strongly condemn the filing of these charges against our clients for their participation in the Bonifacio Day rally on November 30, 2024, in Mendiola, Manila. This brazen act is yet another alarming attempt to weaponize repressive laws against legitimate dissent and undermine the people’s fundamental freedoms.

BP 880, a remnant of the draconian Marcos martial law regime, continues to be a tool to stifle democratic expression and curtail the constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful assembly. Its repeated invocation against activists and citizens who courageously call for accountability, justice, and systemic reforms exposes its true purpose: to silence voices critical of the powers that be. The charges filed against these respected leaders of marginalized and progressive sectors starkly illustrate the ongoing erosion of democratic space under the guise of law and order.

The timing of these charges cannot be ignored. These baseless accusations come suspiciously at a critical juncture when the Makabayan bloc’s senatorial candidates are gaining traction as credible representatives of the poor, the oppressed, and the underserved. The charges reek of political harassment, calculated to derail their candidacies and intimidate those who dare to champion the people’s rights and welfare.

It is particularly appalling that this administration resorts to invoking allegations of violence during a peaceful commemoration of Bonifacio Day—an occasion that honors the revolutionary hero who fought against oppression. Such claims not only malign the character of those accused but also distort the essence of the rally, which was a rightful exercise of collective action against the worsening socio-economic plight of Filipinos.

The use of BP 880 to persecute leaders like our clients—individuals who have consistently advocated for justice, equality, and genuine change—is a direct attack on the people’s struggle for a more equitable and humane society. It is an affront not only to them but to all Filipinos who value freedom of expression and assembly.

We urge the people to remain vigilant and steadfast in resisting any and all attempts to weaponize the law against those who seek to uplift the most marginalized. #

Reference:

Atty. Ephraim B. Cortez
NUPL President
+639172092943

Atty. Josalee S. Deinla
NUPL Secretary General
+639174316396

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