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Disbarment case vs former president Duterte has 'no legal basis'—Panelo

Philippines | National

Disbarment case vs former president Duterte has 'no legal basis'—Panelo

By Betheena Unite

Former presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo said the disbarment case against former president Rodrigo Duterte has no legal basis as "he has not violated" any law as a member of the bar.

panelo duterte.jpg — Former president Rodrigo Duterte and former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo (File Photo/PCOO)

"The disbarment case against FPRRD has no legal basis. He has not violated any unethical conduct or law as member of the bar," Panelo said in a statement on Friday, Jan. 17.

"A citizen cannot be called a criminal without being convicted by a competent court of a commission of a crime," he added.

Panelo stressed that "no admission was made on extra-judicial killings."

"They should read the transcript of the proceedings. All his statements on killings were all hyperbole. They will not stand in court," Panelo added.

A disbarment complaint was filed against the former president for alleged violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), a conduct unbecoming of a lawyer.

It was filed by human rights advocates and families of the victims of reported extrajudicial killings during the former president’s war against illegal drugs.

Related Tags

salvador panelo disbarment Rodrigo Duterte

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