IBP draws flak over award to Rody

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has drawn flak for its Davao City chapter's conferment of the "Golden Pillar of Law" award on former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is awaiting trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for crimes against humanity.

- By EJ MACABABBAD

Amid the indignation sparked by the award on Duterte, the IBP said it will review its rules for naming service awardees.

In an interview with "Storycon" on One News, IBP communications director Katrina Mordeno said the award does not mean the IBP supports the former president, who has been under the custody of the ICC since his arrest in March.

"The award was not meant to be a legal absolution or a moral endorsement," Mordeno said. "It merely seeks to recognize a long career in the legal profession." She said the Golden Pillar of Law award was bestowed upon 600 members nationwide who have been in the legal profession for at least 50 years and are in "good standing." To qualify as a member of "good standing," one must regularly pay membership dues and should not be under suspension, according to the group's bylaws.

"We do not confer guilt or grace beyond the reach of law.

Yet we know, too, that the law without conscience is hollow, and that practice of law without compassion is incomplete," the IBP national office said in a statement.