As the representative of the nation and the sole wielder of the Republic’s legislative authority, the Philippine Congress would be wise to seriously consider withdrawing its membership from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

It is not the Philippine administration alone or just the judiciary that is disrespected by the latest move of the IPU to criticize the Philippines for the plight of Sen. Leila de Lima. Our legislative branch itself must bear the onus of this criticism because it is Congress that is formally the member of the IPU.