Judges' group decries online attacks on magistrate who issued Sara Duterte arrest warrant

MANILA, Philippines — An organization of trial court judges has expressed grave concern over the online harassment directed at a magistrate who issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and public trust in the rule of law. The Kapunungan sa mga Pilipinong Hukom (Hukom), a group representing first- and second-level trial court judges from various provinces, stated that judges must be able to perform their duties without fear or pressure, even when their rulings are unpopular. The case involves Judge Maria Angelica de Ramos of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98, who issued the arrest warrant against Vice President Duterte. The charges stem from an online press briefing in November 2024, where the Vice President allegedly stated she had arranged for President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez to be killed if an alleged plot against her succeeded. Following the issuance of the warrant on September 4, social media posts, primarily from Duterte's supporters, have shared background information on Judge De Ramos. These posts have insinuated bias, citing her appointment to the post last year by President Marcos. Some posts included her photograph with captions like, "Remember the face!" Vice President Duterte posted bail for P360,000 for the charges. Before the procedure, she was heard expressing fear for her life and distrust in the court, police, and even her security personnel. Hukom stated in a released statement, "While the freedom to criticize the courts and judicial decisions is vital in a democracy, the vilification of judges undermines judicial independence and public confidence in the rule of law." The group stressed that "social media is not a courtroom" and that "digital mobs are not justice," asserting that government officials, including the Vice President, "stand equal before the courts." In a phone interview, Hukom president Rosario Caise said that harassment of judges, whether through cyberbullying or red-tagging, is an attack not only on the individual but also on the judiciary as an institution. "Whatever is presented before the courts, that’s our only basis for our decision... Attacking the judge is likewise attacking the institution," she told the Inquirer. Formed in 2018, Hukom has previously defended other judges who faced online vilification due to their rulings. These include Judge Marlo Malagar of Manila RTC for dismissing a petition to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army as "terrorists," and Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of Muntinlupa RTC for dismissing a case against journalists Lady Ann Salem and labor organizer Rodrigo Esparago. Information Source: Inquirer NewsInfo