Rights group opposes “warrant factory judge” application to higher judiciary posts anew

[KARAPATAN Public Information]

PRESS RELEASE
14 May 2026

Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831

KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580

Rights group opposes “warrant factory judge” application to higher judiciary posts anew

Human rights alliance KARAPATAN strongly opposed anew the application of Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert for appointment as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals or the Court of Tax Appeals, saying her judicial record of abuse and political persecution makes her ever unfit for higher position in the judiciary.

“No matter how many times she applies for a position in the higher court, Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert will always carry with her a notorious record of attacks on the rights of persons who were red-tagged, unjustly arrested and detailed, some killed, because of the search warrants she issued,” said Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

“For the victims of illegal raids, fabricated charges, arbitrary detention, and state violence, the possible elevation of Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert to a higher court is not merely a judicial appointment issue. It is a question of whether impunity will continue to reign in the Philippine justice system,” Palabay added.

The group reiterated that Villavert became widely known among rights advocates as a “warrant factory judge” for issuing numerous search warrants that paved the way for synchronized police and military operations against trade unionists, community organizers, church workers, humanitarian volunteers, and activists. Many of these operations resulted in arrests based on alleged possession of firearms and explosives, charges that courts would later dismiss or question because of glaring irregularities.

“Time and again, the warrants issued under Villavert’s authority were exposed as defective, unconstitutional, and unsupported by genuine probable cause. Yet while courts eventually dismissed many of these fabricated cases, the victims had already suffered unjust detention, trauma, and violations of their most basic rights,” Palabay said.

KARAPATAN emphasized that several warrants associated with Villavert were later quashed due to deficiencies and inconsistencies in the applications, including failures to meet the constitutional requirement for a probing and exhaustive determination of probable cause.

Palabay noted that they had already opposed Villavert’s previous applications in 2024 and 2025, stressing that her renewed bid for promotion despite widespread opposition from victims, lawyers, church people, and rights advocates only further highlights the urgent need for accountability within the judiciary.

The group further noted that many activists arrested through these operations spent months or years in detention before charges were dismissed, while others continue to languish in jail despite serious health conditions and the weakness of the accusations against them.

“Judges are expected to serve as guardians of constitutional rights, not rubber stamps for abusive state security operations. A judge whose actions contributed to the weaponization of the courts against ordinary persons and government critics has no place in the appellate courts,” Palabay explained.

The group warned that appointing Villavert to the Court of Appeals or the Court of Tax Appeals would reinforce the culture of impunity that perpetuated widespread human rights violations against perceived “enemies of the State.”

KARAPATAN called on the Judicial and Bar Council to reject Villavert’s application and uphold the standards of competence, integrity, probity, independence, and respect for human rights required of members of the judiciary.

“At a time when victims and families continue to seek justice for illegal arrests, fabricated charges, extrajudicial killings, and political repression, promoting officials linked to these abuses sends a chilling message that the system rewards complicity instead of accountability,” Palabay added.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg.,
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District

Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101

Telefax: (+63 2) 7090 8183

Web: http://www.karapatan.org

KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties.  It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.  It was established in 1995.