NUPL welcomes the acquittal of two clients represented by its National Capital Region chapter and Adamson University College of Law. This marks the fourth acquittal involving clients assisted by NUPL, NUPL-NCR, and Adamson University College of Law, following the arrest of more than 50 individuals amid reports of physical assault, torture, and detention for days in cramped cells, as well as one bystander casualty.
Late last week, Pulong Duterte filed a criminal complaint for cyber libel naming several journalists among the respondents. He filed the criminal complaint in Davao City. A few days later, a Davao City court issued a warrant of arrest for cyber libel, and veteran journalist Philip Lustre was arrested.These charges appear to be fabricated and intended to intimidate journalists.
Mr. Lustre’s case exemplifies a fabricated charge and should raise concerns about the actions of both the prosecutor’s office and the court.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers-National Capital Region (NUPL-NCR) stands with youth activists and their fundamental right to free speech and expression. NUPL-NCR assisted youth leader Christian Mataverde on October 20, 2026 as he filed his counter-affidavit before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Rizal in the cyberlibel complaint brought against him by an official of the University of Rizal System (URS), Pililla Campus, for violation of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Cyberlibel potentially carries the penalty of up to eight years in prison.
Raven Kristine Racelis, Ralph Christian Manuel, Mecaella Sean Carl Capalar, and Dex Anderson Frogoso, represented by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and the Public Interest Law Center (PILC), asked the Office of the Rector to reverse and set aside the separate resolutions issued by the UST Office for Student Affairs on October 2. They also sought an urgent stay of their suspensions and all related sanctions while the appeal is pending.
The NUPL is hosting two major international events this year. Mark your calendars!
Strategies to Enhance Advocacy Relating to the Independence of the Legal Profession and the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines The NUPL is partnering with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute in organizing a series of activities to support human rights defenders, including lawyers at risk, strategize, coordinate and undertake advocacy at national and international levels in relation to the independence of the legal profession and for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Philippines — where fair trial rights are being systemically violated– was chosen as the focus country for this year’s International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) Conference. A series of advocacy initiatives will be held to draw attention to the human rights situation in the country. The decision to establish an IFTD in 2021 by more than 100 legal associations all over the world was accompanied by the establishment of the Ebru Timtik Award. Ebru Timtik was a lawyer from Turkey who lost her life as a result of a 238-day hunger strike she undertook to protest against the systemic violations of fair trial rights which people in Turkey are facing. Every year, on the occasion of the IFTD, the Ebru Timtik Award is made by an independent jury to an individual or individuals and/or an organisation who have or which has made a significant contribution to the defense and promotion of the right to a fair trial in the focus country.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has been documenting and monitoring prima facie profession or work-related attacks and threats against lawyers and judges since its establishment in September of 2007.
The attacks and threats against lawyers continued in the first two years of the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The NUPL recorded a total of three (3) incidents of killings and 39 other forms of attacks beginning July 1, 2022 until December 31, 2023. The highest number of documented incidents involves the vilification and red-tagging of human rights lawyers by current and former state officials.
Atty. Ma. Saniata Liwliwa Alzate
Killed in September 2023
Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao
Vice-Chairperson
Atty. Juan Macababbad
killed in September 2021
NUPL-Negros Secretary General
Atty. Benjamin Ramos
killed in November 2018