Law Firm Website Defaced as Hacktivist Invokes Vice President Impeachment Trial
MANILA, Philippines — The website of Co Nazario Velasco-Catera and Divinagracia Law Offices (CNVD Law) appears to have been defaced by individuals identifying themselves as Filipino hacktivists, with a political message prominently referencing the impeachment trial of Vice President of the Philippines.
A notification alerted the team shows the CNVD Law website replaced with a black page bearing the emblem of a group calling itself “GrimSec Philippines – G.S.P.” The message states that the attackers were “not here to sabotage” but to “send a message,” calling for accountability and declaring that “no one is above the law.”
The defacement specifically names the Vice President, while also displaying a warning directed at the law firm. The page includes the statement, “Patch what remains. There will be no next warning,” and lists several alleged hacker or hacktivist aliases.
The apparent target is significant because CNVD Law is the law firm of Atty. Mae S. Divinagracia, who is currently serving as one of the private prosecutors assisting the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial. Divinagracia is the firm's managing partner and has been part of the prosecution team since being added in June.
The timing is particularly notable. On August 25, Divinagracia took a prominent role in the impeachment proceedings by directly questioning Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio, a hostile witness, over allegations involving the use of confidential funds. The testimony included questions concerning the OVP's ₱500-million confidential fund.
The incident therefore appears to have targeted the law firm's public-facing website rather than the impeachment court itself, based on the screenshot. There is currently no evidence in the image alone showing that the attackers obtained confidential client information, breached CNVD Law's internal systems, or compromised the impeachment proceedings.
The incident nevertheless highlights the increasingly charged environment surrounding the Impeachment trial. Divinagracia has become one of the more visible members of the prosecution team, particularly after her questioning of OVP witnesses in recent proceedings.
