Jamayka Rhose Pascual

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has maintained neutrality over the ongoing controversy despite calls for action surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.

Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News/Rappler.

Former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque challenged IBP to choose sides regarding Lopez’s detention.

“My IBP, why are you so quiet [on] what's happening to one of us?,” Roque said in a social media post.

In a statement, the IBP clarified that it is not obligated to on the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability’s cite on contempt of Lopez, stating that it is mandated to remain non-political.

"The IBP is prohibited from engaging in partisan politics. It is prohibited from making any public statements, taking any action, or engaging in any activity that tends to favor a particular political party or group," the organization stated.

While Lopez is a lawyer, the IBP pointed out that her invitation to the congressional hearing was tied to her role as the chief of staff.

The IBP also highlighted its commitment to being a non-political organization, citing Section 4 of its revised by-laws.

“If the IBP takes a stand regarding the order of contempt and detention issued by the Committee of Congress against the individual, it will surely be interpreted as an activity that tends to impair the basic feature of the IBP as a non-political organization," the statement reads.

The organization then underscored that the rights of the resource persons invited to legislative hearings have been well-defined by Supreme Court rulings.

“All lawyers are presumed to know these Supreme Court decisions because these form the law of the land. Ignorantia legis neminem excusat (ignorance of the law excuses no one),” the IBP said.

The organization encouraged lawyers who wish to assist individuals cited for contempt to pursue legal remedies independently.

Lopez has retained Duterte as her legal counsel and rolled out plans to challenge the extended detention order, which was recently increased from five to 10 days.

The House Committee’s investigation into the OVP’s confidential funds remains ongoing, with Lopez confined at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City since her detention began.