By Jeffrey G. Damicog
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday, June 17, hailed the government’s decision to allow lawyers to travel in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Integrated Bar of the Philippines (MANILA BULLETIN)
“The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) welcomes the amendment in the quarantine protocols to allow lawyers to travel even in ECQ areas so that they can assist arrested or detained clients,” said IBP President Domingo Egon Cayosa in a statement.
Cayosa recounted that the IBP sought this in its April 18 request to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In its request, Cayosa said, the IBP asked “for lawyer mobility since their presence as preferred counsel is constitutionally required especially for those charged with criminal offenses, arrested or detained.”
“We sought the exemption of lawyers from the travel restrictions for the sake of those who need and are entitled to the presence of counsel,” he explained.
“Let not the absence of a lawyer delay and/or deny justice,” he declared.
Upon the recommendations of the IATF, President Duterte ordered both Cebu and Talisay cities returned to ECQ starting June 16 up to June 30 due to increasing numbers of persons with the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Despite this, President Spokesperson Harry Roque said that lawyers in the two cities have been allowed to go their clients facing problems with law enforcement.