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The Integrated Bar Association of the Philippines (IBP) is committed to helping lawyers improve their “personal security” and cope with stress, following the murder of a judge by a court clerk who subsequently committed suicide.
“IBP will continue to help attorneys manage stress and improve their personal safety,” IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa said in a statement Thursday.
“We hope that the government and all sectors will cooperate to ensure that differences are resolved responsibly, quickly and peacefully,” he added.
On Wednesday, Judge Ma. Theresa Abadilla, of Section 45 of the Manila Regional Court of First Instance, was shot in his chamber by court clerk Amador Rebato Jr., who later shot himself.
Abadilla, 44, was rushed to the hospital, but pronounced dead upon arrival at the Manila Medical Center. Police said in their report that they found Rebato, 42, dead in his office.
Rebato had been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to police, citing a member of Abadilla’s court staff.
The IBP expressed its condolences “with the families of … Judge María Teresa Abadilla and … attorney Amador Rebato Jr.” Cayosa also said: “Law is one of the most stressful professions.
This is compounded by the constant killings of judges, prosecutors and lawyers, the risks and additional burdens brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and the progressive culture of violence and impunity in our society. “
‘Unforgivable’
In his statement also Thursday, Senator Richard Gordon urged Congress to act on the proposed measure that seeks to provide security for members of the judiciary.
“This is truly unforgivable,” Gordon said of the shooting. “It has never been and should never be acceptable for us to allow our citizens to be killed, especially our judges.”
Bill No. 118 of Gordon’s Senate aims to establish the Philippine Marshal Service as an “independent security arm” for the judiciary.
The bill is scheduled to be discussed in the Senate plenary, while also awaiting recommendations from the executive branch.
“We are calling on the Department of Budget and Management to report back on their recommendation so we can work on passing the bill,” Gordon said.
According to the senator, before Abadilla’s death there had been 31 judges murdered since 1999, allegedly by kidnappers, car robbers, drug traffickers and other criminals.
Gordon said the “cruelty” against judges must end.
“Without judges, there can be no justice,” he said. —WITH A REPORT FROM MELVIN GASCON
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