We call on the government and on all Filipinos to resist this renewed attempt to sanitize the legacy of tyranny. Honor is not conferred by burial rites; it is earned by service grounded in truth, justice, and respect for human dignity. Enrile’s record speaks for itself, and no decree, ceremony, or grave at the Libingan can rewrite it.
The recent statements from the DILG foreshadow more aggressive attempts to restrict public assembly ahead of the Baha sa Luneta 2.0 mobilization on November 30, where thousands are expected to gather once again to press for accountability. If the pattern holds, the State may again resort to brutality and violations of basic rights in an effort to suppress protected acts of discontent and dissent.
This petition tests the limits of executive discretion, the authority of the courts, and the State’s own commitment to the human rights treaties it has pledged to uphold. The writ of habeas corpus exists precisely for circumstances like this—to provide swift and effective relief to those unlawfully restrained of their liberty and to reaffirm that no person shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law.
We call on the Department of Justice to immediately review and withdraw these baseless charges and to uphold the constitutional rights of the accused. We likewise urge civil society organizations, human rights groups, and the public to monitor these cases and stand in solidarity with those being persecuted for exercising their democratic freedoms.
The NUPL is hosting two major international events this year. Mark your calendars!
Strategies to Enhance Advocacy Relating to the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines The NUPL is partnering with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute in organizing a series of activities to support human rights defenders, including lawyers at risk, strategize, coordinate and undertake advocacy at national and international levels in relation to the independence of the legal profession and for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Philippines — where fair trial rights are being systemically violated– was chosen as the focus country for this year’s International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) Conference. A series of advocacy initiatives will be held to draw attention to the human rights situation in the country. The decision to establish an IFTD in 2021 by more than 100 legal associations all over the world was accompanied by the establishment of the Ebru Timtik Award. Ebru Timtik was a lawyer from Turkey who lost her life as a result of a 238-day hunger strike she undertook to protest against the systemic violations of fair trial rights which people in Turkey are facing. Every year, on the occasion of the IFTD, the Ebru Timtik Award is made by an independent jury to an individual or individuals and/or an organisation who have or which has made a significant contribution to the defense and promotion of the right to a fair trial in the focus country.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has been documenting and monitoring prima facie profession or work-related attacks and threats against lawyers and judges since its establishment in September of 2007.
The attacks and threats against lawyers continued in the first two years of the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The NUPL recorded a total of three (3) incidents of killings and 39 other forms of attacks beginning July 1, 2022 until December 31, 2023. The highest number of documented incidents involves the vilification and red-tagging of human rights lawyers by current and former state officials.
Atty. Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Alzate
Killed in September 2023
Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Vice-Chairperson
Atty. Juan Macababbad
killed in September 2021
NUPL-Negros Secretary General
Atty. Benjamin Ramos
killed in November 2018