No. 1 Question: Does Zero Crime Rate Justify Dispensing Due Process?

Duterte's drug war lowered crime rate, Palace says

By Alexis Romero (philstar.com) | Updated August 14, 2016 - 5:30pm

MANILA, Philippines The Duterte administrations campaign against illegal drugs and criminality
criticized for supposedly encouraging human rights abuses has pulled down the countrys crime rate in
the first seven months, Malacaang said Sunday.

However, Does Zero Crime Rate Justify Dispensing Due Process?

The law is profession, a noble calling. If the law has to remain as a noble and honorable profession
then it goes without saying that the profession should have ethical standards that should be observed by the
members thereof in the pursuit or in the exercise of the calling. The ethics of certain profession is the code
by which it regulates actions and sets standards for its members. The professional code attempts to assure
higher standards of competence in a given field, strengthen the relationships among its members, and
promote the welfare of the whole community.

Senate joint panel to Duterte: Observe due process in war vs illegal drugs
By: Maila Ager - Reporter / @MAgerINQ INQUIRER.net / 10:41 PM December 07, 2016

Due process must still be observed while waging war on illegal drugs, a joint panel in the Senate told
President Rodrigo Duterte.

While the people recognize his fearless naming of generals and prominent personalities, including
politicians and judges, as protectors of drug lords, due process must still be observed.

The accused deserve their day in court to prove their innocence.

The joint panel said the President should not just account for the misdeeds of the police but should also
raise their standards of accountability so that they become paragons of protectors of the people.

War against illegal drugs must be won within the legal system, which the President must lead in
reminding the people.

The Immoral Justifications of Dutertes Anti-Drug

Edgar Lores on September 18, 2016

It is true the Constitution recognizes that peace and order are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people. But nowhere in the Constitution is the President granted the
power, in pursuit of these aims, to disregard the rule of law or to abuse human rights.

In his inaugural speech, Duterte declared, My adherence to due process and the rule
of law is uncompromising. Subsequently but not consequently, he also declared, I dont care
 about human rights, believe me. And while reading a list of government officials engaged in
drugs, he said, There is no due process in my mouth.

As a man with a loose tongue, Duterte reveals what he truly thinks more in his off-the-
cuff remarks and expletives than in his prepared speeches.

To circumvent the constitutional grant of human rights specially the doctrine of due process in lieu of
zero crime rate, Duterte has claimed the influence of drugs has reduced human beings to a bestial state. Not
only that. He has actually made the final judgment drug addicts are no longer viable as human beings and
that junkies are not human.

The End Doesnt Justify The Means

There is no justification for unethical behaviour - even if the goal might be itself laudable.

While there is no doubt that he has the countrys best interest at heart when he waged his war against
illegal drugs and criminality, his ways and methodology may not be readily understood and acceptable to all.

Canon 1 of the CPR states that, A lawyer shall uphold the constitution, obey the laws of the
land and promote respect for law of and legal process.

Canon 6, Rule 6.01 of the CPR also provides that, The primary duty of a lawyer engaged in
public prosecution is not to convict but to see that justice is done. The suppression of facts or the
concealment of witnesses capable of establishing the innocence of the accused is highly reprehensible
and is cause for disciplinary action.

Accordingly, it is a well-settled doctrine that Sec. 1 of the Bill of Rights of the 1987
Constitution admits no derogation in which it states that, No person shall be deprived of life, liberty,
or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the
laws.

The President has sworn to faithfully and conscientiously fulfill his duties not only as President
of the Philippines but as well as a soldier of the justice system (as a lawyer, who also is a former
Prosecutor), to preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and
consecrate (himself) to the service of the nation.

Make no mistake: Giving due process is not obviously the duty of the Executive Department,
however, unlawful disregard to the indiscriminate killings in the anti-drug war, whether the killings are
conducted by vigilantes or by police personnel, are contrary to the norms and ideals enunciated in our
Constitution which the President sworn to and which is very much opposing and erring against the Code of
Professional Responsibility, which every lawyer must uphold.