IBP distances self from Zuleika Lopez detention issue

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Thursday distanced itself from the detention of Vice President Sara Duterte's chief of staff Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, saying it is not obligated to take a stand in the detention of any lawyer invited by Congress as a resource person.

Although it did not name Lopez in its statement, the IBP was obviously referring to her as it described the "chief of staff of a national political figure who is currently engaged in a partisan political feud with another national political figure" that was invited as a resource person in a congressional inquiry.

The lawyer was cited in contempt and ordered detained, the IBP said, on the ground that the individual was giving false or evasive answers.

Last week, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability cited Lopez in contempt for "undue interference" in the panel's investigation into the confidential funds of offices under Duterte's leadership.

"The IBP is prohibited from engaging in partisan politics. It is prohibited from making any public statements, taking any action, or engaging in any activity that tends to favor a particular political party or group," it said.

The IBP cited Section 4 of the revised IBP By-Laws, which stated that it is strictly non-political and that every activity impairing this feature is prohibited and shall be penalized.

"If the IBP takes a stand regarding the order of contempt and detention issued by the Committee of Congress against the individual, it will surely be interpreted as an activity that tends to impair the basic feature of the IBP as a non-political organization," it said.

Aside from this, the IBP said Lopez was not invited not because she was a lawyer but because she was Duterte's chief of staff.

"Moreover, the rights of individuals who are invited as resource persons to legislative inquiries in aid of legislation have already been clearly defined in Supreme Court (SC) decisions, including the remedies available to the said individuals in the event that their rights are violated," it said.

"All lawyers are presumed to know these SC decisions because these form part of the law of the land. Ignorantia Legis Neminem Excusat," it added.

Ignorantia Legis Neminem Excusat is Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses no one."

Meanwhile, the IBP encouraged lawyers who wish to assist individuals held in contempt to immediately take legal action. Lopez previously said she has tapped Duterte as her legal counsel.

The IBP issued its statement less than a week after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque posed a question on Facebook: My IBP, why are you so quiet to whats happening to one of us, Atty Lyka Lopez?"

On Monday, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability extended the detention order of Lopez from five days to 10 days.

Duterte said Lopez will take legal action following the extension.

Lopez previously said she has no idea of how the Office of the Vice President utilizes, disburses, nor liquidates its confidential funds. She has been confined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City since Saturday. — VDV, GMA Integrated News