CenterLaw’s Mission

The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) – Philippines conducts human rights and public interest advocacy. CenterLaw represents pro bono indigent and marginalized groups, as well as victims of human right violations. CenterLaw began as an NGO with a mandate on Freedom of Expression. Spanning over two decades defending free speech and a free press, CenterLaw has litigated a variety of cases.

CenterLaw’s Vision

A Philippine legal order that is well-informed and formed by the needs of every Filipino.

A Philippine legal order that incorporates and respects international legal standards.

CenterLaw’s Advocacy Areas

Accountability for State Violence

Maguindanao Massacre

CenterLaw represented the heirs of 19 victims of the Ampatuan massacre in Maguindanao, in cases filed against the 197 accused. Our team secured a favorable Supreme Court decision upholding the Department of Justice resolution finding probable cause against the accused.

Additionally, CenterLaw filed:

• Administrative cases for the dismissal from service of the police officers involved in the massacre and other cases against public and private individuals who had various forms of participation in the massacre;
• Criminal charges against military officers who refused to provide security to the massacre victims notwithstanding their prior possession of intelligence information that pointed to a planned massacre;
• Complaints for graft and corruption and plunder against the public officials involved in the massacre; and
• Request for investigation with the anti-money laundering council.

The Philippine Drug War

Further, CenterLaw has obtained a permanent protection order for Mr. Efren Morillo, a Tokhang survivor, as well as the families of his slain companions from Payatas, Quezon City.

Concurrently, CenterLaw is working with the San Andres Bukid community to obtain reliefs before the courts (Daño v. Philippine National Police, G.R. No. 234484, 2 April 2019)  under the writ of amparo, in relation to the atrocities committed under the War on Drugs by the Duterte administration. In 2019, the Supreme Court ordered the Philippine National Police to turnover the official documents on all of the drug-related killings to the Petitioners.

Freedom of Expression

CenterLaw represents Dr. Patty Ortega, wife of slain journalist and environment advocate Dr. Gerry Ortega, who spoke out against corruption involving the Malampaya Natural Gas Project. Additionally, our team has been instrumental in securing evidence and witnesses for the case, assisting Dr. Patty Ortega through the preliminary investigation.

Furthermore, our team has provided a robust libel defense for The Daily Tribune, a recognized leading opposition broadsheet currently facing no less than 15 separate libel suits filed during Mrs. Arroyo’s administration.

In another major press freedom effort, CenterLaw is handling a class action suit filed by Philippine journalists against Mike Arroyo, the husband of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The suit alleges that his filing of an unprecedented 45 libel cases against media figures constitutes both an abuse of right and a suppression of freedom of the press.

Likewise, a historic victory in the realm of free speech was also achieved through the Supreme Court ruling in G.R. No. 175241 IBP and Butuyan vs. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza on February 24, 2010. This landmark decision has been described as “the single most important holding of the Supreme Court in recent years on the issue of free expression and peaceful public assembly for redress of grievances… because on the basis of this ruling, henceforth, local chief executives cannot anymore deny applications for permits to rally without any showing that there is a clear and present danger to society warranting denial of such applications.”  

Red-Tagging

Significantly, CenterLaw has successfully filed Petitions for the Writ of Amparo before the Philippines Supreme Court. Through these efforts, CenterLaw has obtained the protective writ against red-tagging and the drug war in order  to safeguard the right to life, liberty, and security of the human rights advocates it represents.

Similarly, CenterLaw has filed a challenge on the constitutionality of the Philippine Anti-Terror legislation (CenterLaw v. Senate of the Philippines, G.R. No. 252905, 7 December 2021), where the Supreme Court struck down certain provisions declared as violative of free speech, expression, and due process.

Grassroots Advocacy & Movement Lawyering

In addition, CenterLaw also conducts training seminars on a variety of issues, among these:

A nationwide series of trainings on the investigation and prosecution of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture (2007-2009);

The 2nd Southeast Asia Media Legal Defence Network Training seminar (October 2009); and

A capacity-building training on freedom of expression for Lawyers and journalists from Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Where domestic courts prove ineffectual, CenterLaw also avails of international remedies for the promotion of human rights, humanitarian law, and freedom of expression. CenterLaw has filed cases before the UN Human Rights Committee and the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Committee on Human Rights, and coordinates with international accountability mechanisms around the globe.

CenterLaw’s Legal Research & Policy Campaigns

CenterLaw produces actionable research proactively communicated with law makers, thought leaders, and the international community in order to advance human rights compliance and the development of international law.

CenterLaw’s Team

Joel R. Butuyan

Chairperson

Roger R. Rayel

President

Gilbert T. Andres

Executive Director