[HIGHLIGHTS] Lawfare: Weaponizing the law vs democratic dissent

MANILA, Philippines – On Friday, February 21, legal experts, civil society organizations, and sectoral groups gathered in an international forum to talk about how “lawfare”, a phenomenon described as the misuse of law and legal systems to go after democractic dissent.

A portmanteau of “law” and “warfare,” lawfare is a global pandemic that has reached the Philippines according to experts.

During the forum, former UP law dean Pacifico Agabin reminded the audience that the law “is always double-bladed, it can be used for good and it can be used for evil.” (READ: ‘Guns, drug lists, trolls…but Duterte’s biggest weapon is the law’)

Other speakers included Maria Lourdes Sereno, former UP law dean Pacifico Agabin, and Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, among others.

Watch the full plenary sessions here:

Plenary 1 and 2:

Plenary 3:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Plenary 4:

Below are highlights from the whole-day event:

Time	Activity
8:50	Inter-faith / Ecumenical Prayer Bishop Reuel Marigsa Secretary General National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) Fr. Robert Reyes Pastor Hesed Jack D. Alvarez Komunidad ni Kristo Atty. Norma de Leon Prayer Battalion
9:00	Welcome Remarks Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC Provincial Superior De La Salle Brothers of East Asia
9:20 – 9:35 am	Keynote Hon. Leila M. de Lima Senator Republic of the Philippines (Read by Mr. Vicente de Lima II)
9:30 – 10:30 am	Plenary I: Understanding Lawfare: Roots, Aspects and Ramifications Speakers: 1. Hon. Maria Lourdes Sereno Former Chief Justice Supreme Court of the Philippines 2. Atty. Pacifico Agabin Former Dean College of Law University of the Philippines Reactors: 1. Neri Colmenares Chair, National Union of People’s Lawyers (Read by Teddy Casiño) 2. Hon. Francis Pangilinan Philippine Senator Moderator: Prof. Socorro Reyes Committee Freedom of Leila de Lima movement
10:30 – 10:40 am	Solidarity message Hon. Antonio Trillanes IV Former Philippine Senator
10:40 – 11:40	Plenary II: Living with Lawfare (The Philippine and Southeast Asian Experiences): Stories of Struggling Against the Weaponization of the Rule of Law Speakers: 1. Atty. Jose Manuel Diokno Chairperson Free Legal Assistance Group 2. Hon. Mu Sochua (On Southeast Asia) Former Member of Parliament, Cambodia National Rescue Party Reactor: Hon. Jose Luis Gascon Chairperson Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Moderator: Ms. Ana P. Santos Journalist
11:40 – 11:50 am	Video message Ms. Maria Ressa Chief Executive Officer, Rappler
11:50 – 12:00	Morning synthesis Community picture Performance: Bayang Barrios
12:00 – 1:00	Lunch
1:00 – 1:10	Solidarity video message Joshua Wong Hong Kong protester
1:10 – 2:15 pm	Plenary III: Living with Lawfare: Experiences from the Rest of the World Speakers: 1. Hon. Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Chairperson, CALD Women Caucus President, International Network of Liberal Women (INLW) 2. Hon. Marina Mesure General Secretary, France Insoumise Party Video Message: Hon. David Kaye United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression Reactors: 1. Hon. Teodoro “Teddy” Brawner Baguilat, Jr. Former Ifugao Representative ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights 2. Mr. Shantee Lasala Vice President for Marketing and Communications Association of Law Students of the Philippines Representative 3. Ms. Rafaela David Chairperson Akbayan Youth Moderator: Ms. Corazon Juliano-Soliman Former Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression
2:15 – 2:25 pm	Video Message: Jean-Luc Mélenchon President France Insoumise Party
2:25 – 3:45 pm	Breakout sessions: SESSION A: LAWYERING & LAWFARE SESSION B: MEDIA & LAWFARE SESSION C: POLITICAL OPPOSITION & LAWFARE SESSION D: CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS & LAWFARE SESSION E1: E.1 ECONOMIC, SOCIAL & CULTURAL RIGHTS & LAWFARE SESSION E2: E.2 LABOR, URBAN POOR & AGRICULTURE Venue SESSION F: RELIGION & LAWFARE
3:45 – 5:00 pm	Plenary IV: Combatting Lawfare: Strategies and Responses Solidarity Message (video): 1. Mr.James Rice Former Professor Lingnan University 2. Hon. Emily Lau Chairperson, International Affairs Committee Democratic Party of Hong Kong Speakers: 1. Prof. Richard Falk (video message) Princeton University 2. Prof. Walden Bello Former Representative Akbayan Partylist Reactors: 1. Mr. Jerrie Abella Campaigner Amnesty International Bangkok Regional Office 2. Mr. John Nery Member of the Board Asian Center for Journalism, Ateneo de Manila University 3. Hon. Agnes Callamard UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions (Read by Ms. Samira Gutoc) Moderator: Ms. Teresita Quintos -Deles Former Secretary Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
5:00 – 5:20 pm	Message: The View from the Ground: Insights of an Alternative Lawyer Atty. Sheila Formento National Coordinator Alternative Law Groups (ALG)
5:20 – 5:40 pm	Synthesis & Closing Remarks Prof. Antonio M. La Viña Committee for the Freedom of Leila M. de Lima

– Rappler.com

[HIGHLIGHTS] Lawfare: Weaponizing the law vs democratic dissent

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