Supreme Court orders Atty. Raul Lambino to explain false TRO claim on Duterte arrest

DAVAO CITY (April 8)— The Philippines (SC) Supreme Court has ordered Atty. Raul Lambino to explain within 10 days why he should not face administrative sanctions for spreading false information about the Court.

In a resolution issued during its En Banc session on April 2, 2025, the Court directed Lambino to show cause for publicly claiming that the Supreme Court had issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte—a claim the Court confirmed to be entirely untrue.

Lambino made the statement during a Facebook Live broadcast on March 11, 2025, which quickly circulated on social media platforms and caused confusion among the public.

“The misinformation falsely attributed official action to the Supreme Court misled the public, and undermined the integrity of the judiciary,” the Court said in a statement.

The false TRO claim reportedly fueled public speculation at the time, amid heightened tensions surrounding Duterte’s legal battles and his current detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on charges related to alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

The Supreme Court’s show cause order is a formal legal step in determining whether Lambino should be held administratively liable for violating the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which governs the ethical conduct of lawyers in the Philippines.

Legal experts note that, depending on the gravity of the violation, making false statements about the Court’s official actions may be grounds for disciplinary measures, including reprimand, suspension, or disbarment.