Pubdate: Mon, 22 Aug 2016
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2016 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Rosanita Serrano
Note: This piece was signed by Rosanita Serrano, Narzalina "Narz" 
Lim, and 15 other women.

UPHOLD DUE PROCESS, DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION

ALL FILIPINOS, whether public officials or ordinary citizens, have 
the right to due process. It is a human right guaranteed by the 
Philippine Constitution that President Duterte swore to uphold and defend.

It is sorely disappointing to see the President disregard this 
constitutional right as he voices no objection to the killing of 
suspected drug pushers by the police or by vigilantes, and accuses 
police officers, local executives, judges and other officials of 
being drug lords or their protectors without the benefit of a 
thorough, completed criminal investigation. Without presenting solid 
evidence to back up his public allegations, President Duterte, the 
most powerful public official of our land, has embarked on a 
chilling, sickening name-and-shame campaign that is in effect an 
unjust, unlawful and unconstitutional trial by publicity.

The most recent target of this campaign of the President is 
newly-elected and installed Sen. Leila de Lima. He has publicly 
accused her of having links to the illegal drugs trade and he has 
insinuated that her election campaign was funded with drug money.

This public shaming came on the eve of a Senate investigation that 
Senator De Lima had called to look into the spate of extrajudicial 
killings that have been spurred by the President's declaration of war 
on drugs. The figures are simply too disturbing: 665 killings by the 
police, 889 by unknown assailants in a span of six weeks, per the 
INQUIRER's report ("UN exec accepts Palace challenge to visit PH," 
Front Page, 8/20/16), and counting.

The accusation smacks of vindictiveness. It may be recalled that when 
she was still justice secretary and, before that, head of the 
Commission on Human Rights, Senator De Lima called for a probe on the 
vigilante killings by a group called the Davao Death Squad which was 
linked to President Duterte who was then mayor of Davao City. Of 
course, she was just doing her job as mandated by law. We thus find 
it alarming that she is now being publicly humiliated and pilloried 
precisely for doing her job.

The public shaming which, to repeat, is trial by publicity, does have 
a chilling effect on free and intelligent discourse which is 
essential to democracy.

President Duterte himself recently upped the stake in favor of 
freedom of information by signing an executive order binding on all 
officials and employees in the executive branch of the Philippine 
government, for them to make accessible public documents to the 
people. We thus expect him to be the first to uphold the law and 
allow the free market of ideas to flourish to better build an 
informed citizenry. Muzzling contrary opinions has no place in a 
democratic and civilized society such as ours.

We stand by the Senate of the Philippines as it pursues its mandate 
and duty to "check and balance" the executive branch, and to conduct, 
as part of its oversight function, investigations in aid of 
legislation on matters of public interest.

We stand by Sen. Leila de Lima in her decision to proceed with the 
Senate inquiry into the extrajudicial killings associated with the 
campaign against illegal drugs, and in her advocacy to protect human 
rights, including the right to due process.

We support our law enforcers who risk their lives to maintain law and 
order and protect our lives and property and human rights.

But we urge President Duterte to refrain from using his office to 
intimidate those who dare disagree with him; to conduct himself like 
a true statesman; to respect the privacy of individuals, including 
public officials; and to elevate the quality of public discourse. The 
presidency should never be used as a platform for revenge; it demeans 
the highest office of the land, and diminishes its dignity and credibility.

As well, to impugn a woman's character by the same actions that would 
otherwise elevate a man's status in society, and to apply a different 
standard of morality on a lady senator's alleged extramarital 
relations from that of a President's own well-known dalliances, is to 
box one's self in stereotypes and sexist attitudes. Surely, with a 
daughter in public office, President Duterte knows better than to 
confine women in his box of antiquated roles and expectations.

We call on all Filipino men and women of good will to be discerning 
in responding to intemperate reports and issues raised, especially in 
social media. Let not these reports and issues bring out the worst in 
us. Let us pursue our discourse in a manner worthy of emulation by 
our youth and children.

Despite severe pressure from several quarters, let us be steadfast in 
respecting the rule of law; let us uphold due process and defend our 
Constitution, in words and in deeds.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom