IBP backs NUPL on call against courtroom red-tagging

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) expressed its support for lawyers from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), who recently denounced the red-tagging practice in courtrooms.

In its official statement on Dec. 6, the IBP said that an attack on one of the lawyers is an attack on the administration of justice.

“When an agent of justice has been subjected to silence and harassment, there is fear, and when there is fear, the entire justice system is undermined—there is curtailment of truth and justice,” it said.

The IBP cited that the NUPL, along with other human rights lawyers, on Dec. 5 filed a formal letter to the Supreme Court to call for adequate protective legal measures against harassment and intimidation.

It further asserted its solidarity with the prayer to the Supreme Court.

“We believe that lawyers are the guardians of fundamental human rights, such as the right to a fair trial, freedom of speech, and association,” the IBP added. “Protecting lawyers ensures they can fearlessly defend these rights against infringement by governments or other powerful entities.”

In its official statement on Dec. 5, the NUPL demanded an urgent action from the Supreme Court to take note of the red-tagging act committed in a case pending before a Regional Trial Court in Metro Manila.

According to the NUPL, they were explicitly named among the “underground mass organizations and front organizations” of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front).

The supposed list was submitted as evidence by the counsel for one of the defendants. 

The NUPL also called for concrete protection mechanisms for lawyers under threat, guided by international standards such as the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Protection of Lawyers.

Further, they demanded a national dialogue between the Bench, Bar, and civil society to formulate institutional safeguards for embattled members of the legal profession.

“We respectfully urge the Judiciary to remain vigilant against any attempt to weaponize its processes, and to affirm, through concrete protection measures, that the courts remain safe spaces for all litigators, advocates, and those who seek justice,” the NUPL said.