CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) marked its 20th founding anniversary and concluded its 9th Mindanao Assembly of Peoples’ Lawyers over the weekend at Villa La Viña, Cagayan de Oro City, with the adoption of the “Villa La Viña Manifesto”—a powerful declaration renewing its commitment to defend human rights and promote the rule of justice.
Veteran human rights lawyer, Antonio Azarcon, was reelected chair, earning a strong new mandate to lead the UPLM for another two years. Joining him are dynamic women in human rights advocacy, former secretary general and now adviser, Beverly Musni, secretary general Carol Kay Paquera, and Treasurer Jilian Paula Ampog.
Also reelected are Davao-based lawyers, vice chair Joel Mahinay and spokesperson Arvin Dexter Lopoz, auditor Ponciano Ocaya of Misamis Occidental. Completing the team are: deputy secretary general Grace Mahinay; advisers Carlos Isagani Zarate and Manuel Quibod; and regional/provincial representatives, Eduardo Estores of Southern Mindanao, Thaddeus Tuburan of Socsksargen, Dionesio Alave, Jr. of North Cotabato, Ricky Acero of Caraga, and Eddie Cuaresma of Northern Mindanao.
The “Villa La Viña UPLM Manifesto” chronicles two decades of peoples’ lawyering in Mindanao— defending human rights and resisting political repression while charting UPLM’s strategic direction for the coming years.
Born in struggle
The manifesto recalls UPLM’s founding in 2005 amid the repressive climate of the Arroyo administration, positioning the organization “not as a professional association, but as a movement of conscience” with the credo: “The law must serve the people, not their oppressors.”
Historic victories and sacrifice
The manifesto highlights the first-ever grant of the Writ and Privilege of Amparo in the Philippines, following its adoption in 2007, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against enforced disappearances.
It honors the sacrifice of its colleagues. Atty. Czarina Golda Musni, former secretary general, continues to face trumped-up Anti-Terrorism Financing Charges amid incessant red-tagging and harassment. Atty. Juan Macababbad was slain in 2021 just outside his home for defending the rights of Lumads to their ancestral domain. And, Atty. Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela, founding member, was among the victims of the 2009 Ampatuan Massacre.
UPLM’s role in the ensuing legal and political struggle stands as a “vow that no atrocity shall escape the reckoning of justice.”
It also details UPLM’s steadfast role in countering against Lawfare—the weaponization of the legal system through fabricated charges against activists and critics—and the brutal period of red-tagging and political killings during the Duterte administration.
The continuing challenge
The manifesto asserts that under the current Marcos Jr. administration, the “old ills—corruption, crony capitalism, and foreign domination—are cloaked in new clothing.” It calls for intensified legal defense for workers, peasants, Lumad, and Moro communities whose rights are trampled by greed and militarization.
The way forward: A call to action
UPLM declares that it will continue to live by the mantra of the late great and eminent peoples’ lawyer, Atty. Romeo T. Capulong: “We have brave clients. They deserve brave lawyers.”
Looking to its third decade, UPLM pledged to rebuild its ranks, recruit and mentor new generations of lawyers and paralegals, and strengthen solidarity with people’s movements.
The manifesto ends with a rousing call to action for UPLM’s next twenty years:
“Defend Rights! Fortify Resistance! Promote the Rule of Justice!”
“We leave this assembly with a renewed calling of conscience, knowing that justice is not a gift from the powerful—it is a victory won by the brave,” the UPLM stated. “As long as injustice pervades, our commitment to peoples’ lawyering remains firm and unbowed.”
