SC tackles ‘possible actions’ on Badoy’s threats vs. Manila court judge

Metro Manila (CNN Philipines, September 27) — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday discussed possible actions on the controversial statements made by a former anti-insurgency task force official against Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar.

Magdoza-Malagar is the presiding judge of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19, which earlier junked the government’s case to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People's Army (NPA) as terrorist groups.

“The [e]n banc tackled motu proprio possible actions regarding statements made by a certain Lorraine Badoy containing threats against Judge Magdoza-Malagar,” the SC’s Public Information Office said in a statement, referring to the former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson.

Badoy shot to the top trending topics on social media in the past days after she accused Magdoza-Malagar of being a “friend and ally” who “passionately lawyered” for the communist party and its armed wing.

In her Facebook post, Badoy also wrote: “So if I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief that all allies of the CPP NPA NDF must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP NPA NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me.”

The high court, meanwhile, issued a stern warning against those who “incite violence” — through social media and other venues — which can “endanger the lives of judges and their families.”

“[T]his shall likewise be considered a contempt of this court and will be dealt with accordingly,” the SC stressed.

Lawyers’ groups, including the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Free Legal Assistance Group, have also slammed the "red-tagging" against Magdoza-Malagar as they seek steps to address the matter.