Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago filed a complaint for disciplinary action against Ferdinand Topacio at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) today, saying the lawyer must be accountable for his misogyny.
“This action is not only in defense of my own person and dignity, but more importantly, in defense of the women I represent in Congress and the broader sector of Filipino women who continue to face sexism, misogyny, harassment, and attacks meant to degrade and silence them,” Elago in a statement said.
The IBP’s Commission on Bar Discipline investigates complaints against its members and recommends disciplinary actions to the Supreme Court (SC) through its Board of Governors.
Erring attorneys are either reprimanded, suspended or disbarred by the SC, depending on the gravity of their violations of the lawyers’ Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.
The controversial lawyer remarked last week that he had sexual desires on Elago when he met her and smelled her perfume at an event at the Department of Justice in the past.
Topacio, in his defense of Quezon City Rep. Jesus Suntay’s House of Representatives controversial remarks in a House of Representatives hearing last week, also blamed actor Anne Curtis and her sister for eliciting the same desires because of the way they dressed.
Elago said her complaint is in defense of every woman who are belittled, disrespected and forced into silence.
She added that as the women’s representative in Congress, it is her duty to challenge misogyny.
“Women will continue to resist both within and outside Congress and to fight for respect, dignity and accountability,” Elago said.
Topacio – self-declared Adolf Hitler fan and lawyer to former president Rodrigo Duterte and other controversial clients – characteristically shrugged off Elago’s complaint.
““They can do what they want. I will do what I want,” Topacio said. #
