Manila, Philippines — Amid the extra judicial killing issues tied with the 2016 war on drugs campaign, a disbarment case has been filed against then President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Human rights group Karapatan initiated the filing of the case this January 17, along with Lean Redino Porquia, Attorney Vicente Jaime Topacio, Llore Pasco, and families of EJK victims.
Under the complaint, Duterte has been accused of violating Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability and conduct unbecoming of a lawyer related with killings tied on his drug war campaign.
Disbarment is a legal proceeding removing the license of a lawyer to practice law, which happens when a lawyer violates the law or the code of ethics.
This case rooted from the statement of Duterte that he will be one of the legal counsel of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, amidst her impeachment cases.
This triggered the human rights group given that Duterte has previously admitted into giving kill orders to the death squad related to the war on drugs campaign.
If disbarred into practice, Duterte will be ruled out of the Roll of Attorneys and will not be able to practice law.
Duterte is yet to release a comment regarding the said case.