Lawyers’ group files disbarment case vs DOJ chief

Four groups of lawyers will file a disbarment case against Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) next week.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez told reporters yesterday that he would be ready to face the disbarment case that would be filed against him by the lawyers.

"I’m not stranger to that kind of case," he said. "In fact, I had two disbarment cases that the Supreme Court dismissed."

However, Gonzalez questioned the impartiality of the IBP, claiming that its president, Jose Anselmo Cadiz, had acted with bias against the government.

"How can I get a fair trial before the IBP?" he asked. "Let’s see what will happen."

The lawyers belong to the Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (Codal), Libertas, Young Lawyers’ Group (YLG) and the Alternative Law Groups (ALG).

Speaking to reporters at Max’s Restaurant on Maria Orosa street in Ermita, Manila yesterday, lawyer Neri Javier Colmenares of Codal said they will ask the IBP to recommend that the Supreme Court "immediately suspend Secretary Gonzalez from the practice of law, and after conducting an investigation disbar him and have his name stricken off the roll of attorneys.

"The biggest sin of Justice Secretary Gonzalez was that the DOJ should have conducted a preliminary investigation on complaints filed before them, to look for probable cause," he said.

"But based on prejudgment, na preempt na ang process ng DOJ. This is a violation of due process and rights of respondents."

Colmenares cited in particular the arrest of former social welfare secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman after which Gonzalez allegedly said Soliman had "violated three laws" and might even suffer a penalty of "12 years" of imprisonment.

Soliman and Black and White organizer Vicente Romano were apprehended on March 17 by the Manila police for holding a Black Friday protest along the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk in Manila.

Colmenares said other offenses allegedly committed by Gonzalez were:

• Threatening some lawyers and some members of the media;

• Disgraceful attitude and behavior in his post in forcing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to act based on politics and not on the basis of law.

• Violating the ethical standards for government officials and employees.

• Violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Reportedly next on the lawyers’ list are Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and officials of the Philippine National Police, particularly, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Vidal Querol.