the bar tribune 20th hod special issue

8/13/2019 The Bar Tribune 20th HOD Special Issue

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Official Publication of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines15 J. Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

February 2012

SENATE PRESIDENT JUAN PONCE ENRILE

will deliver the keynote address before

the IBP 20th House of Delegates whichconvenes at Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel,

Laoag City, on February 16-18, 2012.

Senator Enrile is expected to share his

reecons on the convenon theme IBP:

Defending the Conston, Promong

the Rule of Law in light of the ongoing

impeachment trial of Spreme Cort

Chief Jsce Renato Corona.

The theme was developed b IBP

governors and ocers with reference to

the IBPs ocial posion on the ongoing

impeachment trial, which is to ensre

that the constonal garantees of

due process and fairness are observed

and pheld at all mes.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R.

Marcos and Laoag City Mayor Michael

Farias will welcome the delegates,

with. Governor Marcos delivering an

Inspiraonal Message and presenng

the smbolic e to the province of

Ilocos Norte.

Other invited speaers are Spreme

Cort Associate Jsce Roberto Abad,

who will tal on SC iniaves to eectchanges in the administraon of jsce

ENRILE LEADS SPEAKERSIN 20TH HOUSE CONFAB

and A. Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, a

member of the Jdicial and Bar Concil.

A. Fernan-Caosa will discss the

workings of the JBC as it strives to raise

the bar of jdicial excellence.

The convenon will devote a

signicant part of the proceedings to

discussion and consensus-gathering on

the Comprehensive Legal Aid Service

for Praccing Lawers or CLAS, a set

of rles that give esh to the Free Legal

Assistance Act of 2010 [R.A. 9999]

reqiring lawers to render mandator

pro bono legal aid service and counseling.

Proposals on CLAS have undergone

major amendments over the last three

ears, the reslt of regional and naonalconsltaons organized b the IBP.

Also high on the convenon

agenda is the discussion of

amendments to the 39 ear-oldIBP By-Laws, focusing on electoral

reforms and the reapporonment

of the House of Delegates, which

aims to enhance representaon

in the IBP.

The IBP Committee on

Professional Responsibility,

Discipline & Disbarment will also

present its proposed revised rules

on administrave disciplinar proceedings

of lawyers. At the heart of the proposal is

the need to promote speed disposion of

cases and integrity in the legal profession.

Meanwhile, the Commiee onthe Administraon of Jsce and the

Commiee on Law Pracce Management

will sbmit their recommendaons for

the pilot implementaon of the proposed

new rles on adjdicaon of cases, in

line with the IBP thrust to achieve speedy

disposion of disptes.

The House of Delegates is chaired

b Naonal President Roan I. Libarios.

Overseeing preparaons are Convenon

Director Roland B. Inng, host Governor

of Northern Lzon Denis B. Habawel andChapter President host, A. Mariano R.

Nalupta, Jr.

MAIN AGENDA

Comprehensive Legal Aid Service

Revision of IBP B-laws

New SC rles on Adjdicaon

of Cases

Revised Rles on Bar Discipline

Cases

Enrile Abad Marcos

AT FORT ILOCANDIA


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The IBP

Northern

Lzon

Region is honored,privileged and happy

to host the 20th IBP

House of Delegates

at The Fort Ilocandia

Resort Hotel, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

At this crcial me in the democrac life of or

naon that the sstem of checs and balances of

the three great departments of or repblican

government is pt to the test in the impeachmenttrial of the Chief Jsce of the Spreme Cort,

the theme of the Convenon IBP: Defending the

Constuon, Promong the Rule of Law is most

ng and proper.

Indeed, with the Conston as bible, it behooves

an lawer worth his salt, determined and

commied to discharge his solemn oath, to do

jsce to defend at all cost the independence of

the Spreme Cort, the last bason or blwar of

democrac.

I warml welcome all the delegates and gests on

behalf of the gratefl IBP Northern Lzon Region

with the fervent praer that the Convenon

contribte in a sbstanal and meaningfl wa

towards naon-bilding.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

DENIS B. HABAWELGovernor, IBP Northern Luzon

This ears Naonal Hose of Delegates

Convenon in Laoag, Ilocos Norte

promises to be pivotal and historic. It

is pivotal because it will tackle vital proposalsthat could bring to a new level IBPs relevance

to the public, the bench and the bar. It is

historic becase it comes on the eve of IBPs

40th founding year.

Message from the President

Pivotal Convention Most Fitting Teme

First on the agenda is the

proposed Comprehensive Legal Aid

Service (CLAS), IBPs version of the

MLAS (Mandatory Legal Aid Service)

as recommended b the Naonal

Commiee on Legal Aid. The CLASaims to give esh to IBPs commitment

to promote access to jsce and

its mandate to enable the Bar to

discharge, through legal aid, its public

responsibilit more eecvel. Over

the last three years, the proposal has

ndergone major amendments to

incorporate sggesons in previos

regional and naonal consltaons.

Second, the IBP Commiee on

Revision of Rules will present for

plenary discussion its proposedamendments to the 39-ear old IBP-

By laws. The thrust is to enhance

representaon in the IBP and mae

it more dnamic and aned to the

changing mes.

Third, the Commiee on

Professional Responsibility will also

present its proposed revised rules on

administrave disciplinar proceedings

of lawyers. At the heart of the proposal is

the need to promote speed disposion

of cases and integrity in the bar.Finall, the Commiees on

the Administraon of Jsce

and Law Pracce will sbmit

their recommendaons for pilot

implementaon of the proposed new

rles on adjdicaon of cases. This is

in line with or thrst to promote new

road maps designed to achieve speeddisposion of disptes.

The Convenon will be graced

b no less than the man of the hor,

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

As presiding ocer in the ongoing

Senate impeachment trial of the

Chief Jsce, Senator Enrile bears the

heavy responsibility of ensuring a fair

impeachment trial that lives p to the

mandates of the Conston and

the Rule of Law. Thus, on trial in the

Senate is not onl the Chief Jsce btor commitment to the democrac

ideals pon which or instons

are fonded. As sennel of law and

democrac, the IBP expects no less.

Ma this ears Convenon, which

falls on our 40th founding year, live up

to the challenge of greater relevance

to the bar, bench and the public.

ROAN I. LIBARIOSNaonal Pesident

Integated Ba of the Philippines

Message from the Host Region

Ofcial Publication of the

Integrated Bar of the Philippines15 J.Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Tel. No. 63.2 6313014 Telefa No. 63.2 9100417

Website: www.ibp.ph Email: [email protected] We welcoe feedback and suggesons. Please wite to

A G. G, J A V. R, E C. L,

C P. C, P D. C, V C. C,

M T. A, M L. B, R B. LS

J E. S D J. E C

H D. P G A

Volume 8 No. 2


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contents

AS THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL of Chief

Jsce Renato Corona nfolds at the

Senate, the IBP expressed praerfl

hope for a fair trial and credible otcome

and lanched an Impeachment Watch

to closel monitor and observe the

proceedings.

Its members are former Spreme

Cort Administrator Jsce Zenaida

Elepao, Dean of PCU College of Lawand former Jsce Raol Victorino, IBP

Governor Denis Habawel, IBP General

Consel Pacico Agabin, Dean of

Lcem of the Philippines College of

Law Soledad Derequito-Mawis, private

law praconers Prisimo Bco and

Patricia Ann Prodigalidad. Acng as the

coordinator and spokesperson is IBP

Pblic Informaon Ocer Rose Beatrix

Crz-Angeles.

In a statement issed on the eve

of the trial on January 15, 2012, theIBP Board of Governors called on the

pblic to join in its praer and vigil and

appealed to the Senator-jdges to live p

IBP Impeachment Watch

Keeping Vigil at the Senate Trial

to their oath to render imparal jsce

based on the Conston and the law.

In an earlier statement adopted

nanimosl on December 19, 2011,

the IBP Board cricized the breanec

impeachment of the Chief Jsce, cing

procedral and sbstanve isses. While

the President ma have valid isses

against the Chief Jsce and the Spreme

Cort, the blitzrieg impeachment (basedon collegial decisions) erodes, rather than

strengthens, the Rule of Law.

The statement added that if the Chief

Jsce can be removed for rendering

collegial decisions despite the absence

of an allegaon of corrpt move or

illegal consideraon, then the Spreme

Cort will never be the same again, its

jdicial independence defanged and its

magistrates inclding their decisions --

now at the merc of polical bidding of

the rling majorit.While cricizing the impeachment,

the Board, however, refrained from ling

an peon to stop the impeachment

process, even if this was the course

of acon taen b the IBP in previos

impeachment cases against Jsce

Cladio Teehanee and Chief Jsce

Hilario Davide. In jsfing its present

posion, the Board cited the need to

maintain instonal independence

and avoid divisive polical alignments.

Bt to flll its role as a sennel of

law and democrac, the Board resolved tocreate an IBP Impeachment Watch Grop

to closel monitor the case, disseminate

informaon on the appropriate laws and

jrisprdence and, if necessar, isse

observaons on the adherence to the

laws b all pares involved.

While taing legal isse against

collegial decisions being invoked as

gronds for impeachment, IBP President

Roan Libarios, however, pointed out

that the other issues raised by the

prosecon, inclding the alleged 45 realestate properes of the Chief Jsce, are

valid and deserve to be answered in

the interest of transparency.

At the press conference launching the IBP Impeachment Watch. Left to right: Attorneys Trixie Angeles, Patricia-Ann Prodigalidad, ZenaidaElepao, Leonor Gerona-Romeo, Israelito Torreon, Roan Libarios, Vicente Joyas, Olivia Velasco-Jacoba, Florendo Opay, Rose Setias-Reyes

and Alice Risos-Vidal.

2 BINAy, DE LIMA HONOR OFWS, SALuTE THE IBP3 NCLA: REVITALIZED, REINVIGORATED4 IBP OFW LEGAL AID PARTNERS5 ATIPAT: THE A TEAM6 IBP VS. HuMAN TRAFFICkING7 ALL ABOARD THE CAREAVAN7 ICRC AND IBP TACkLE INTL HuMANITARIAN LAW

8 THE IBP kATuPARuN FOR OFWs10 OUR ROAD MAP12 THE 20TH IBP BOARD OF GOVERNORS13 IBP NATIONAL OFFICERS17 HEADS OF IBP COMMITTEES18 THE CBD COMMISSIONERS


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The OFW Legal Network

Association of Recruitment Agencies

Center for Overseas Workers

Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs

Integrated Bar of the Philippines Ofce of the Vice President

Task Force OFW

Commission on Human Rights Department of Interior &

Local Government

Department of Justice

Department of

Foreign Affairs

National Bureau of

Investigation

Bureau of

Immigration

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Epicopal Commission for the Pastoral Care ofMigrant & Itinerant People

Visayan Forum

Foundation, Inc.

Migrante Internati onal Bantay OCW

Foundation, Inc.

GMA 7 DZBB RADIO Eagle Broadcas ti ng

Corporation

Blas Ople Policy Center

& Training Insttute

International Seafarers Action

Center Philippines

Department of Labor

& Employment

Department of

Social Welfare &Development

Philippine Overseas

EmploymentAdministration

Overseas

Workers WelfareAdministration

Commission on

Filipinos Overseas

Mamanwa leader Ginggin Analagan from Kitcharao,

Agusan del Sur tells the audience at the 4th Mindanao

Human Rights Summit how soldiers burned her village

during a military operation.

IBP President Roan Libarios, himself a Mindanaoan from Agusan

del Norte, challenges the delegates of the 4th Mindanao Human

Rights Summit to push for a negotiated settlement on the peace

talks in pursuit of human rights. There will be no lasting promotionof HR when people are subjected to the human rights violations of

continuing armed conict, he said.

Evelyn Badol, a pregnant farmer from Arakan, North

Cotabato shares how soldiers arrested his relative Noli

Badol whom the military alleged is a member of the New

Peoples Army.

Binay, De Lima honorOFWs, salute IBP initiatives

VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAy and Jsce Secretar Leila

De Lima have appladed the eorts of the IBP in addressing the

condions of overseas Filipino worers.Binay, represented by his daughter Cong. Abigail Binay, and

De Lima were special gests dring the lanch in September 2011

of the IBP OFW Legal Networ and the An-Tracing in Persons

Acon Team (ATIPAT), part of the weelong celebraon of Naonal

Law Wee.

Bina is principal Presidenal Adviser on OFW Concerns,

Chairman Emerits of the Inter-Agenc Commiee Against Tracing

(IACAT), and Chairman of the Presidenal Tas Force Against Illegal

Recritment (PTFAIR).

I have been briefed on or plan to create an OFW legal

assistance nit and an acon team against hman tracing in

every chapter of the IBP, and I have nothing but the highest words of

encoragement and spport for this iniave, said Bina. This is an

nprecedented move on the part of the IBP and will wor hand-in-

glove with or governments on-the-grond program against hman

tracing and to protect or OFWs, who remain potenal targets of

exploitaon b criminal minds.

Bina drew aenon to the strides achieved b the government

in the ght against hman tracing, moving from Tier 2 watchlist

to Tier 2 standing within for months in 2011, in the uS State

Departments 2011 Tracing in Persons Report.

The vice presidents goal, however, is to mae it to Tier 1. There

are no great secrets. We now what needs to be done....We mst

recognize that hman tracing is not onl a crime against its

specic vicms, bt above all a crime against or own people, andagainst their very future.

Meanwhile, Secretar De Lima lamented the fact that millions of

Filipinos have to wor in other contries jst to earn a living. That

todas OFWs have to leave home jst to provide for their families

alread smacs of injsce, said De Lima.

That the shold fall pre to illegal recriters, oppressive and

absive emploers and hman tracing sndicates aggravate

the injsce, De Lima added, congratlang the IBP project as a

gestre both of charit and of jsce.

The IBP OFW Legal Networ brings together government

agencies, private organizaons and NGOs to address the legal

concerns of OFWs.

Crrent esmates place the nmber of OFWs at 10 million,

which means that abot one in 10 Filipinos is an OFW. The Bango

Sentral reports that OFWs remied an esmated $16.5 billion in the

rst 10 months of 2011.

De Lima drew historical parallels between OFWs and the

pioneering expatriates of hmanind, sch as the seafarers from

the Malaan peninsla and the Sri-Visaan empire, the Eropean

colonizers and missionaries and merchants from China.

She was, however, qic to disngish between the two. The

former (seafarers, colonizers and merchants) le home as might

polical and economic powers in the qest for dominaon. Todas

OFWs leave home as vlnerable individals simpl in search of

srvival and beer lives.

The non-government organizaon Migrante Internaonal, one

of IBPs partners in the project, reports some 3,000 emploment-

related cases involving OFWs. There are also 122 OFWs in death row

worldwide, with most of the cases in China, according to Migrante

Chair Gar Marnez.

Toda, we refer to or OFWs as modern-da heroes, De Lima

said. With the IBP iniave, we can mae sre the will remain

exactl that - Heroes, not martrs. Heroes who will come home one

da to their families here. Home one da, alive and well.

Voices at the 4th Mindanao Human Rights SummitCAP Grand Auditorium, Davao City, December 2, 2011


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The stor of Elijah and the widow (1 kings 17: 07-16) teaches

s one ver important lesson:

We should be ready to suer inconveniences,

to suer pains and to be hurt for the sake of

helping other people. We should learn to

give unl it no longer hurts. Give unl giving

becomes so much a part of us. Give unl giving

becomes something like breathing. Give unl

giving becomes like food that will sustain our

life. Give unl giving becomes so much a part

of us that we cannot survive without it.

This is the ver heart and sol of the IBP Legal Aid Program

which aims to provide free and competent legal services to

indigent ligants prsant to its mandate of enabling the

Ba to dischage its public esponsibility oe eecvely. As

echoed b President Roan I. Libarios: Legal aid is not a maer

of charity. It is a public responsibility. Perhaps it is his way of

exhorng all lawers to be read to sacrice for the sae of

helping others to give nl giving no longer hrts.

IBPS REFORM AGENDA

In celebraon of Naonal Law Wee from last September,

the IBP condcted a series of acvies prsant to the 5-POINTREFORM AGENDAadopted and approved by the 20th Boardof Governors. These acvies sm p all the wishes and

desires of the present IBP leadership under the stewardship

of IBP Naonal President Roan I. Libarios which are all aimed

to mae the IBP more relevant to its members and societ

as a whole, and which are expressed more profondl in the

Naonal Law Wee theme: INSPIRING TRANSFORMATION IN

THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND SOCIETY.The word transformaon means to radicall change

the otward form or inner character. It is snonmos to

metamorphosis or conversion or a series of changes.

It can also mean transgraon. President Roans Reform

Agenda ma be viewed as some ind of transgraon jst

lie the transgraon of or Lord at Mt. Tabor, especiall

its impact on His apostles who went with Him to Mt. Tabor

and witnessed His transgraon. Aer the apostles saw

the Lord transgred, the all had to come down from the

montain and once again live the rigors of life in Jersalem

and Israel. Aer the transgraon, the had to be read to

face the cross, and be ready to face Easter.

THE IBP NATIONAL CENTER FORLEGAL AID: A REVITALIZED ANDREINVIGORATED ENTERPRISE

By Atty. Rosario T. Setias-ReyesNational Director, NCLA

Six ears aer the EDSA Revolon, then Msgr. Socrates

B. Villegas delivered a homil in commemoraon of the EDSA

Revolon. He said:

EDSA is a challenge to us. EDSA was not

only a resurrecon of the Filipino people.

EDSA was a shining moment. It was our

transguraon.

He conned:EDSA is an invitaon for s. If it was possible in 1986, it can

sll be possible in 1992, 1993, 1994, and nl the end of or life.

It is possible to la down or life an moment. It is possible

to la down or life for peace an moment. It is possible to

sacrice; it is possible to share.

President Roans Reform Agenda can be considered

AMBITIOUS,aimed to elevate the IBP from its present posion.Bt more than being ambios, it is ENTERPRISING as it ischaracterized b energ and daring in ndertaing the projects

and tasks that he has lined up, hoping that they will inspire

all of s to transform, to convert, TO TRANSFIGuRE throgh

sacrices and sharing or me and talent for others. It coldmean facing or own crosses and being read to face or own

Resrrecon and Easter.

RATIONALIZATION OF THE IBP LEGAL AID PROGRAM

One of the pillars of President Roans 5-Point Reform

Agenda is the conversion of the Naonal Commiee on Legal

Aid to a revitalized and reinvigorated NATIONAL CENTER FORLEGAL AID (NCLA).He said that there is a need to raonalizeand re-orient the Legal Aid Program of the IBP to make it more

elevant and benecial to the bigge society concoitant to

the thid andate of the IBP to enable the Ba to dischage

its public esponsibility oe eecvely. He believes that the

strongest plaorm in responding to the challenge of pblic

responsibility is actually Legal Aid. He wants the new NCLA

to be more responsive and eecve in facing the challenges

of the mes.

The Legal Aid Program has been the agship project of the

IBP since its integraon in 1973. It has been instonalized

in most of its 85 Chapters naonwide The NCLA, according to

President Roan, shall serve as the suppot cente of these 85

Chaptes in tes of upgading thei skills and copetence.

Over the ears, the IBP Legal Aid Program has evolved and

expanded to inclde Developmental Legal Aid cases which

cater to a grop or class of individals with common case or


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otherwise nown as Pblic Law Interest cases. Along this line,

the IBP embared on nmeros developmental legal aid projects

sch as the Jail Decongeson Project and Reintegraon of the

Soon-to-Be Released Prisoners and the Legal Audit of Extra-

Jdicial killings, to name a few. President Roan said that there

is a need to e-focus the diecons of the IBP Naonal Cente

fo Legal Aid to espond to new challenges in aeas whee the

IBP can axiize its leveage like the OFWs who ae vics ofillegal ecuitent and huan tacking.

LAUNCHING OF THE OFW LEGAL UNIT AND IBP-ATIPAT UNIT

Last September, the IBP lanched the IBP OFW Legal

Networ and the IBP-ATIPAT and IBP OFW Help Hotlines and

Website. The highlight of the lanching of the OFW LEGAL UNITwas the signing of the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGto smbolize the willingness and preparedness of the pares

thereto to wor hand-in-hand in order to provide the mch-

needed legal assistance to the Overseas Filipino Worers the

so-called modern heroes of the land.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Wor connes at the IBP NCLA. ke strategic areas have

been idened as a gide or road map moving forward with

onl one goal in mind to mae a dierence in the lives of or

modern heroes - the Overseas Filipino Worers and vicms

of hman tracing. Eorts are nderwa to forge alliances

and linkages to achieve that goal.

In addion, the IBP-NCLA is also crrentl woring

on a Manal of Operaons on the ecient and eecve

implementaon of the IBP Tradional Legal Aid Services. The

IBP-NCLA will also sbmit for the approval of the 20th IBPBoard of Governors the proposed Comprehensive Legal Aid

Service (CLAS) and eventall to the Hose of Delegates which

is meeng in Febrar 2012.

It is our ardent hope and prayer that all lawyers will

parcipate and get involved in the Legal Aid Program of the IBP.

As the clich goes: Hope springs eternal.

The IBP Legal Aid Program mars the beginning of a more

pronounced partnership and synergy between the IBP and

the varios staeholders from the government and private

instons, namel:

Oce of the Vice President - Tas Force OFW

Department of Jsce (DOJ)

Naonal Brea of Invesgaon (NBI)

Brea of Immigraon (BI)

Commission on Hman Rights (CHR)

Department of Foreign Aairs (DFA)

Department of Labor and Emploment (DOLE)

Philippine Overseas Emploment Administraon (POEA) Overseas Worers Welfare Administraon (OWWA)

Department of Social Wor and Development (DSWD)

Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG)

Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO)

Commiee on Overseas Worers Aairs (COWA)

Migrante Internaonal (MI)

Visaan Form Fondaon, Inc. (VFFI)

Blas Ople Polic Center and Training Instte

Banta OCW Fondaon, Inc.

Internaonal Seafarers Acon Center Philppines

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Case of Migrantand Inerant People (CBCP-ICMI)

Center for Overseas Worers (COW)

Associaon of Recritment Agencies

GMA 7 DZBB RADIO

Eagle Broadcasng Corporaon

IBP OFW LegalA id Pa r tne rs

IBP National President Roan Libarios (left) addressed participants composed of volunteer lawyers, professionals and law students

who attended the 3-day strategic planning workshop of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) held January 21-23, 2012

at Manila Park Hotel. The IBP is lead convenor of LENTE, together with One Voice, headed by former Comelec Chair Christian

Monsod (seated, third from left). Also in photo are Atty. Rosario T. Setias-Reyes (seated left) LENTE secretary-general, and Atty.Louie Guia, LENTE Executive Director (seated, fourth from left).


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A

n elite team of trial lawers and spport sta has

been organized b the IBP to provide competent,

free and maximm possible legal service in the

prosecon of cases involving indigent vicms of hmantracing.

The team is called ATIPAT or the An-Tracing

in Persons Acon Team. It was formed nder the

Developmental Legal Aid Program of the IBP Naonal

Commiee on Legal Aid, which has been transformed

into the Naonal Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) nder the

IBP reform program. NCLA is headed b Naonal Director

A. Rosario T. Seas-Rees.

The formaon of ATIPAT is a major step towards

ensring that vicms of hman tracing have adeqate

access to jsce nder Repblic Act No. 9208 (the Law on

An-Hman Tracing) and related laws.ATIPATs crac team of lawers will mae sre

that case build-up is handled properly at the onset.

ATIPAT will also establish an ecient case referral and

docmentaon sstem.

ATIPAT was jointl lanched in Jl 2011 in Tagata

Cit b the IBP and the Visaan Form Fondaon,

Incorporated (VFFI), with spport from the uS Agenc

for Internaonal Development (uSAID). It was formall

lanched simltaneosl with the IBP OFW Legal

Assistance unit in September 2011 dring Naonal Law

Wee, with Vice President Jejomar Bina (represented b

his daghter Rep. Abigail Bina) and Jsce Secretar Leilade Lima as gests of honor.

VFFI is an NGO woring for the welfare of marginalized

migrants, especiall domesc worers and vicms of

tracing. It was recentl in the news when famos Harr

Poer athor J. k. Rowling donated cash to bild the VFFI

Center of Hope, a refge for vicms of hman tracing

and slaver. VFFI to date has helped save p to 60,000

children and women from proston and exploitaon.

Present dring the ATIPAT lanch held at Taal Vista

Hotel were IBP president A. Roan Libarios, VFFI

Founder and Chairperson Ma. Cecilia Flores Oebanda and

Department of Jsce (DOJ) undersecretar and former

IBP president Jose Vicente Salazar.

In his speech, President Libarios promised to broaden

the base of ATIPAT volnteer lawers to cover all tracing

hotspots in the contr. Jsce undersecretar Salazar,

meanwhile, laded the IBPs eorts to address the plight

of the vicms of hman tracing

Among the speaers and trainers in the seminar

were TIP (Tracing in Persons) 2011 Report Hero Asst.

Cit Prosector Darlene R. Pajarito; VFFI Consltant A.

Carmela Andal-Castro; DOJ State Prosector Clarissa V.

kong; A. Nina Patricia Sison-Arroo of the Ateneo

Hman Rights Center and A. Sco Ciment, Contr

Director of American Bar Associaon Rle of Law Iniave.

ATIPAT: THE A TEAMBy Atty. Rosalie J. de la Cruz

Founding Team Members:

IBP National Committee on Legal Aid:1. Atty. Rosario T. Setias-Reyes

National Director

2. Atty. Rosalie J. de la Cruz

Senior Deputy Director

3. Atty. Minerva M.B. Ambrosio


4. Atty. Dante P. Mercado


5. Atty. Romarico V. Ayson

Deputy Director

6. Atty. Raymundo E. Rivero, Jr.

Deputy Director

7. Atty. Rhoderick D.M. dela Paz

Deputy Director

8. Atty. Eunice M. Sta. Maria

Deputy Director

9. Atty. Maria Gemma J. Oquendo

Deputy Director

10. Atty. Luisito Tan

IBP Manila I Chapter

11. Atty. Pedro D. Genato

12. Atty. Ildefonso C. Puerto13. Atty. Marie Fe. B. Galvez

IBP Manila II Chapter

14. Atty. Jewel D. Bulos

15. Atty. Ruth Salome A. Magpayo

16. Atty. Ma. Editha Go-Bias

IBP Manila III Chapter

17. Atty. Michelle Frances L. Morales-Paredes

18. Atty. Mitzele Veron L. Morales

IBP Manila IV Chapter

19. Atty. Yolando F. Lim

20. Atty. Margarita P. Tamunda

IBP Quezon City

21. Atty. Filibon F. Tacordon

IBP PPLM Chapter

22. Atty. Eleonor T. Hernandez

23. Atty. Cristela Wednesday N. Patdu-Aguilar

24. Atty. Filipina T. Ribaya-Geronimo

THE GOOD NEWS

The ATIPAT now has 135 members, after

successive launches at the various

IBP regional legal aid summits nationwide.

IBP members who wish to volunteer for ATIPAT

will please contact the National Center for Legal

Aid at: Telephone noS. 6614352/ 6967042

Email ib [email protected].

IBP Cavite Chapter

25. Atty. Joseph Q. Orsos

IBP Cebu Chapter

26. Atty. Joel M. Seno

27. Atty. Virginia Telesfora B.

Redelosa, Jr.

IBP Cebu City Chapter

28. Atty. Piedad Y. Gonzalez

29. Atty. Jonathan J. De Paz

30. Atty. Leslie Ann A. Reyes

IBP Davao City Chapter

31. Atty. Norman Jacinto P. Doral

IBP ZAMBASULTA Chapter

32. Atty. Jose Rizalino L. Ortega

33. Atty. Jules Christian D. Marcos

34. Atty. Arnulfo H. Manigos

IBP Bicolandia Region

35. IBP Governor Atty. Leonor I.

Gerona-Romeo

ATIPAT Staff/Secretariat36. Radie Y. Cariaga

37. Dondon D. Samoy

38. Jaryl Ann V. Ranchez

39. Mariefel M. Abanilla


8/246

F

THE IBP has taen an important step

in the fll-scale campaign against

hman tracing with the signing ofa Memorandm of Agreement with

the Naonal Inter-agenc Tas Force

Against Tracing (NIATFAT).

The MOA, which was signed

on Janar 31, 2012, b President

Roan Libarios and NIATFAT Chairman

Ramond Jonathan Lledo, empowers

the IBP to provide free legal assistance

to Brea of Immigraon (BI) personnel

who are charged administravel,

civill and/or criminall in the corse

of the performance of their ooading

fncons.

Ooading is the process of

prevenng sspected vicms of hman

tracing from taing their schedled

jornes, sall from airports or

seaports. In a nmber of cases,

criminal sndicates engaged in hman

tracing have created obstacles to

ooading b ling harassment or

retaliator sits, aecng the ecienc

and morale of BI personnel.

The charged BI personnel oen

need to hire private lawyers to

defend themselves before the propertribnals or corts. With the MOA,

BI personnel can now see help from

the IBP, sbject to the procedres and

parameters laid ot in the MOA.

The NIATFAT was created by

the Inter-Agency Council Against

Tracing (IACAT), the government

body created by law to coordinate

and monitor the implementaon

of Repblic Act No. 9208, the An-

Tracing in Persons Act of 2003.

IACAT members are composed of the

Secretaries and heads of government

agencies and sectoral representaves.

The IBP-NIATFAT MOA was signed

at the end of a two-day workshop

of IACAT personnel detailed at the

airports of NAIA and Region 3, held

at the DOJ Academ, Clar Freeport,

Pampanga. Region 3 covers the

provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan,

Neva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and

Zambales.

IBP ExPANDS LEGALAID VS. TRAFFICKING

At the IACAT workshop, left to right: Atty. Carlos Capulong (Bureau of Immigration),

Commissioner Norberto Dela Cruz (Commission on Human Rights), RSP Jesus

C. Simbulas (Head, Region 3 Task Force Against Trafcking in Persons), Atty.

Felipe Antonio B. Remollo (President & CEO, Clark Development Corporation),

Atty. Libarios, Ms. Lisa Andaman Pelia (Acting Chief, Airport Operations Division),

SACP Raymond Jonathan B. lledo (Chairman, National Inter-Agency Task

Force Against Trafcking), Me. Reynaldo L. Catacutan (VP, Clark International

Corporation).

ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2011, a Joint Legal Aid

Smmit for Northern Lzon and Bicolandia

Regions was held in Villa Escdero in

Lcena Cit, organized b Governor

Vicente M. Joas and Governor Leonora I.

Gerona- Romeo. The smmit was aended

b more than one hndred parcipants

represenng the 12 IBP Chapters in the

Sothern Lzon Region and seven IBP

Chapters in the Bicolandia Region.

This was followed by the Tri-Regional

Legal Aid Smmit of Greater Manila Area,Northern Lzon and Central Lzon Regions

organized b Governor Dominic C. M. Solis,

Governor Denis B. Habawel and Governor

Olivia B. Jacoba, held on October 1, 2011 at

the Shanghai Palace Restaurant in Angeles

Cit, and b the Joint Legal Aid Smmit of

Western Mindanao Region and Eastern

Mindanao Region organized b Governor

Florendo B. Opay and Governor Israelito P.

Torreon, on October 8, 2011 at the Maria

Crisna Hotel in Iligan Cit. Both smmits

were well aended despite inclementweather.

The latest in the series of legal aid

smmits was the Joint Legal Aid Smmit

for Eastern Visaas and Western Visaas

Regions held on January 27, 2012 at

the IBP Ceb Cit Bilding, organized b

Governor Manuel L. Enage, Jr. of Eastern

Visaas Region and Governor Erwin M.

Fortnato of Western Visaas Region.

The Regional Legal Aid Smmits is

a vital aspect of the over-all program of

the IBP NCLA aimed at providing a venefor interacve discssions to enhance

the implementaon of the IBP Legal Aid

Program.

IBP HOLDSLEGAL AIDS U M M I T S

For more

information on

the IBP, visit

www.ibp.ph


9/247

T B T

THE IBP NATIONAL

COMMITTEE on Legal

Aid (now the NaonalCenter for Legal Aid) headed the

legal team that provided freelegal services at the Eagle BaanCare-avan, a medical, dental andlegal service advocacy sponsored

on August 6, 2011 by Eagle

Broadcasng Corporaon (EBC).

On the invitaon of EBC, IBP wored

with doctors from the Philippine Medical

Associaon (PMA), densts from the

Philippine Dental Associaon (PDA) and

other health and wellness groups and

the media in a reach-ot program that

provide basic health and legal services to

the public,po bono.

NCLA Naonal Director A. Rosario T.

Seas-Rees, together with NCLA Dept

Directors and legal aid lawers from the

IBP Manila, Qezon Cit, PPLM, Rizal and

Calmana chapters provided legal advice

to beneciaries who paentl qeed

at the ve Care-avan locaons in Metro

Manila, namel: Amoranto Stadim

in Qezon Cit, Cneta Astrodome in

Pasay City, Marikina Sports Center, San

Andres Gm in Manila and the Oreta

Amphitheater in Malabon.

Later in the aernoon, A. Seas-

Rees and Dept Directors As. Rosalie

de la Crz, Enice Sta. Maria and Gemma

Oqendo, parcipated in live discssions

in Net 25, together with their partner

volunteer professionals.

The whole day event was aired live at

Net 25, the television staon of EBC and

at EBC radio staons dzEC 1062 AM and

Pinas FM 95.5.

The IBP was co-host with the

Internaonal Commieeof the Red Cross (ICRC)

of a seminar on InternaonalHmanitarian Law (IHL) andRepblic Act No. 9851, AnAct Dening and PenalizingCrimes Against InternaonalHmanitarian Law, Genocide and

Other Crimes Against Hmanit.

The seminar was held on Agst

18, 2011 at the JBL Reyes Hall of the IBP

Bilding in Pasig Cit and was aended

b some 70 legal aid lawers from IBP

chapters in the Naonal Capital Region.

The MCLE-credited seminar inclded

video presentaons and was aimed at

promong nowledge of Repblic Act

9851, increase understanding on the

applicaon of IHL and InternaonalCriminal Law and raise awareness on the

role of ICRC and the Red Cross and Red

Crescent Movement in IHL.

ICRC Legal Adviser A. Evecar

Crz-Ferrer lectred on Internaonal

Hmanitarian Law while ICRC Legal Ocer

A. Jere Michael Sison discssed the

acvies of the ICRC in implemenng IHL.

Meanwhile, IBP NCLA Deputy Director

A. Rosalie J. de la Crz discssed the

key features of RA 9851.

Established in 1863, the ICRC is a

hmanitarian, netral and imparal

organizaon whose exclsivel hmanitarian

mission is to assist and protect vicms of

armed conict and other sitaons of

violence. Its aim is to prevent hman

sering b promong and strengtheninginternaonal hmanitarian law and

niversal hmanitarian principles.

As gardian of IHL, the ICRC reminds

pares to a conict of their obligaon

under the IHL and contributes to its

development.

The ICRC endeavors to enhance the

knowledge and understanding of IHL

among government athories, the armed

forces and civil societ. While the ICRC

aspires to be the point of reference on IHL,

it is not involved in criminal prosecon of

IHL violators.

ICRC AND IBP TACKLE INTLHUMANITARIAN LAW

By: Atty. Rosalie J. de la Cruz

ALL ABOARD EAGLE

BROADCASTINGS CARE-AVANBy: Atty. Rosalie J. de la Cruz


10/24


11/24

It rained the night before, bt that didnt dampen the spirits of

the parcipants in the ver rst IBP Fn Rn held September 11,

2011 at SM Mall of Asia, icing o the celebraon of Naonal Law

Wee.

Special gest Senator Francis Escdero set the mood for a happ,

lighthearted event when he hmored the parcipants, composed

mostl of amater rnners: those who cant pla, displa; those

who cant perform, japorm!

Shedding o formal cortroom are, IBP members tricled intothe registraon des that was set p in one of the open paring

lots of the mall beside Manila Ba.

The Snda morning snshine matched the rnners colorfl

rnning gear, onto which were pasted ocial nmber bibs. The

Central Lzon chapter, led b Gov. Olivia Jacoba, came in niform

bright pink t-shirts.

Preparaons for the event, chaired b A. Dominic Solis,

Governor for Greater Manila, and A. Ador Tolenno, former

Governor for Sothern Lzon, began onl three wees before, and

it was remarable that some 500 rnners showed p, thans to

ocial noces, email, press annoncements, word of moth and

Facebook.

Wearing bib no. 1, IBP President Roan Libarios welcomed and

thaned the rnners and gests for spporng the event, which

was organized to raise fnds for the IBP OFW Legal Aid program,

hence the event sb-tle katpaRuN para sa OFW (flllment

for OFWs). The sb-tle was coined b Assistant Naonal Treasrer

A. Vic Loanzon.

Aside from Senator Escdero, gests inclded Cort Administrator

and Spreme Cort Spoesperson Jose Midas Marqez, PAGCOR

President & Chief Operang Ocer Jorge Sarmiento andCatandanes Representave Cesar Sarmiento. OFW NGO Migrante

Internaonal came in fll force, led b Chairman Gar Marnez

and Secretary General Gina Esguerra.

Adding glamor to the event was the parcipaon of winners

in the recent Miss Earth beat pageant: Athena Imperial, Miss

Philippines Earth; Mriel Orais, Miss Philippines Water; and

Tarhata Rico, Miss Philippines Eco-Torism.

The parcipants ran in ve separate events, with medals awarded

to the top three nishers in each event.

Emcee A. Ador Tolenno conclded the ceremonies with an

earl invitaon to IBP Fn Rn 2012.

(JESD)

they came, ran andwalked, and had fun


12/2410

F

Our Road Map

THIS MORNING, as I stand before this hallowed chamber, let

me begin with an honest confession. I confess that I am deepl

awed, honored and hmbled b this rare privilege of being

sworn into oce before the disngished members of this

agst bod whose collecve word, once promlgated, is the

law of the land.

As I tae m oath of oce before this highest cort of the land,

let me also pa tribte to the fonding fathers of IBP lie the great

Jose W. Diono, who waged a long, hard and historic campaign,

spanning over four decades, in the halls of Congress and the

Spreme Cort to bring into life an integrated Philippine bar.

Today, as I accept the responsibility of leadership, Ialso rearm the arcles of faith of or fonding fathers for

an integrated bar commied to the three-fold mission of

elevang the standard of the legal profession, promong the

administraon of jsce and enabling the Bar to discharge

its pblic responsibilit more eecvel. In short, a bar that

lives p to the standards of competence, integrit and pblic

responsibility.

On behalf of the 20th IBP Board of Governors and Ocers,

let me share this renewal of faith and resolve to bild an IBP

that lives up to the ideals of our founding fathers and worthy of

our support, respect, and trust.

I believe that the dening moment has come for the IBP.

Barel two ears ago, the IBP was roced b conict and division.

At that me, the term of the old board expired bt there was no

incoming Board discharging its fncon, no President, no EVP,

not even a Governor from IBPs nine regions. To head o the

crisis, the Spreme Cort had to step and install a caretaer.

De to the pending elecon controversies, onl six of the

nine IBP governors managed to tae their oath. Bt a ear later,

the Spreme Cort pt to rest the controversies, sstained the

elecon of the three Governors and called for special elecon

for the EVP, who will assme the Presidenc. And to that special

elecon, I owe m mandate toda. In the secret ballong, all

the Governors re-armed m previos mandate as EVP, this

me casng a nanimos vote, withot a single opposion orabstenon. I consider the nanimos mandate as a vote for

healing and unity in the IBP.

Trl, the crisis has proved to be a dening moment, a life-

changing tonic for unity and growth. To those who doubt the

resilienc of the IBP and the wisdom of the Spreme Cort in

handling the leadership crisis, the answer lies in what the IBP

has become toda. Res ipsa loqitor.

In this ears naonal convenon in Sbic, the IBP posted

the biggest trnot of parcipants in its recent, if not enre,

histor. In this ears elecons for IBP Governors, the IBP also

carved ot a record of zero elecon protest or controvers.

Except for Western Visaas where the elecon did not psh

throgh, the electoral exercises in all regions earned complete

acceptance and withot even a whimper of controvers,

shering in a smooth transion and transfer of responsibilies

that enabled the newly-elected Governors to hit the ground

rnning. Jst this ear also, the IBP won the internaonal bid

to host the pcoming 23rd Conference of the Presidents of Law

Associaons in Asia-Pacic, which pts the IBP bac on trac in

the internaonal bar leadership.

Ths, despite the intramrals in the recent past, we ndcomfort in the thoght that what tried to destro s has even

strengthened s. Toda, the IBP appears to be in a mch beer

shape. Bt I mst also confess that in spite of the recent gains,

the IBP remains saddled b a crisis which deserves to be seriosl

addressed, if we are to give jsce to its fonding ideals.

Let me be more specic and to the point. The IBP connes

to be saddled b a lingering and danng crisis of relevance.

There is a serios disconnect between the IBP and its members

and staeholders. To man lawers, the IBP is associated merel

with IBP des, MCLE Compliance Cercate, and nothing more,

except probabl when the face charges before the Commission

on Bar Discipline.

At a glance

THE FIRST 5 Naonal Center for Legal Resorce and IBP Caseboo

to mae the IBP the informaon exchange hb of the

Philippine legal commnit.

Naonal Board of Accreditaon to accord honoric stats

to legal praconers who have earned a reptaon for

competence and integrit.

Commission on Integrit and Bar Discipline for pro-

acve promoon of integrit as its mandate and thespeed resolon of cases as top priorit.

Peer Assistance Program to provide spport sstems for

the members of the legal profession.

Naonal Center for Legal Aid to reorient legal aid

services in order to meet new priories sch as OFWs,

hman tracing and extrajdicial illings.

PLUS 2 Amendments to the IBP B-Laws, parclarl those

involving electoral reforms.

New road maps that aim to declog cort docets, inclding

the overhal of exisng trial procedres and acve

promoon of alternave dispte resolon methods.

Inaugural Address of IBP President Roan I. Libarios

during the Oath-taking of the IBP National President and Board of Governors for 2011-2013

July 19, 2011, Supreme Court, Manila


13/2411

T B T

Toda, more than ever, there is a compelling need to bridge

this great divide. As the new President, I am commied to

address this lingering crisis of relevance. The challenge is to

revitalize and reengineer the IBP b instng strctral and

polic reforms to mae it more aned to its mandate of service

to the legal profession and the jsce sstem.

In consltaon with the new Board and ocers, I have

craed a ve-point reform agenda, some of which wold reqireamendments of IBP B-laws and the approval b this Cort. Ma

I therefore beg or ind indlgence to please bear with me as

I present or 5-point reform agenda designed to revitalize the

IBP and bring it to a new level of relevance in the service of the

legal profession and the staeholders of or jsce sstem.

On top of the reform agenda is the creaon of an IBP

naonal legal resorce center that will lanch and cataplt

the IBP as the preeminent informaon exchange hb of the

Philippine legal commnit. The Center will address and cater

to the needs of the members of the legal commnit in this fast-

exploding informaon age for eas access to legal materials,

research and networking as well as for latest legal products,solons and services.

As its agship project, the Center will hose and manage

a state of the art online and interacve plaorm to be nown

as the IBP Caseboo, which will mae the IBP the most

poplar online informaon hb for lawers. The plaorm

will featre a sper e-librar of legal materials, informaon

pdates, e-prole of lawers and private messaging, sbject

to privac rights and log-in restricons. It will also featre on-

line pament of IBP des and sbscripons, on-line tracing of

MCLE credits, and on-line pblishing of legal materials.

From the online database, IBP net citizens ma also bild

and cstomize their own personal librar, calendar, contacts

and platform for information exchange on the web, inclding

digital filing of pleadings, once athorized b the rles. The

entire sstem, inclding the sper e-librar, will be bilt at

no cost to the IBP and will have its soft-launch by October

this year.

As the informaon hb, the Center will also handle the

IBP Jornal, newsleer and other pblicaons; maintain and

pgrade the exisng IBP Website; and assemble a networ of

otside sorces for research and informaon, inclding from

Bar associaons worldwide. As a reslt, the Center will also

strengthen IBPs capabilit to come p with sond posions

on relevant legal and social isses, and engage in meaningfl

advocacy and policy debates, thereby enhancing its relevanceand potenal contribon to societ itself.

Second, the establishment nder the IBP of a naonal

board of accreditaon. Its tas is two-fold. One, to idenf

specialt areas in the pracce of law and accredit lawers who

have acquired enhanced level of skills in that specialty area,

thereby providing valuable guide to clients, the public and the

legal commnit. Two, to accord honoric stats to acve legal

praconers who have earned reptaon for competence

and integrit. Sch honoric recognion will hopefll create

a conter-cltre, inspiring lawers to sc to the ideals of

competence and integrit in law pracce to earn the badge of

honor aer a nmber of ears.

Third, the transformaon of the Commission on Bar Discipline

(CBD) into a Commission on Integrit and Bar Discipline (CIBD) to

inclde the promoon of integrit as its main mandate. Ths, it

ma engage in pro-acve integrit-bilding and an-corrpon

programs among lawers, inclding basic prevenon corses

to retrain aornes from becoming chronic violators of ethical

rles. Together with strctral reforms, the Commission and the

IBP Board will also sbmit to the Spreme Cort mch-neededprocedral and polic reforms in bar discipline cases to address

docet congeson and elevate performance and standard in the

speed administraon of jsce.

Forth, the establishment of a peer assistance program

nder the Oce of the IBP General Consel to provide spport

sstems for members of the legal profession. The program will

cover services to lawers related to career orientaon and

development, conning job and career opportnies, welfare

and insrance benets, stress and health management and

rehabilitaon, and direct legal assistance in cases where IBP

members end p being vicms of violent crimes.

Fih, the raonalizaon of the IBP naonal legal aid brefocsing its priories and resorces. The new thrst is to elevate

or legal aid oce into a naonal spport center focsed and

aned to serving the needs for capabilit bilding, monitoring

and case assistance of the 85 legal aid chapters naonwide.

To maximize its contribon, the naonal legal aid oce will

reorient its services to meet new priories where it can leverage

on its strength, sch as the ever expanding millions of OFWs,

the contrs modern da heroes who are oen vicms of

abses and violaons of legal rights. To address their plight, the

IBP will lanch a comprehensive OFW Legal Assistance Program

to inclde conselling, representaon, and seng p of help

hotlines for OFWs and their families as well as legal diplomac

and advocac, here and abroad, to promote awareness of basic

legal rights of Filipino migrant worers.

On top of the 5-point agenda, we shall also complete the

nnished bsiness on amendments to or B-Laws, parclarl

those involving electoral reforms, if onl to strengthen the IBP

as it marches on to its 40th ear of existence. And in line with

or mandate to promote the administraon of jsce, we shall

give priorit spport to new road maps to declog cort docets,

inclding the overhal of exisng trial procedres and acve

promoon of alternave dispte resolon methods.

As I close, allow me to enter m nal plea for and on behalf

of the new IBP Board of Governors and Ocers. As the IBP

enters its 40th ear dring or watch, the me is ripe to taea major leap of faith. We now that the path to strctral and

polic reform is narrow, long, painfl and diclt. Bt as long

as we can sta nited and sc to the core vales of the IBP as

or North Star, we can navigate with adacit the adversies

that lie ahead.

Ths, as we begin this challenging jorne to the high seas

of reform and renewal, ma I as everone, fellow brothers and

sisters in the legal profession and the disngished members of

this agst chamber, please sta with s and eep or faith in

the IBP. Together, we can beat the odds, realize or vision and

mae a dierence.

Than o and good morning.


14/2412

F

ROAN I. LIBARIOS

Chairman of the IBP Board of Governors

He was formerly Governor of Eastern Mindanao

Region and served as Executive Vice President from

2009 to 2011. He was also former editor-in-chief of

the IBP Journal. Atty. Libarios also served the Houseof Representatives as Congressman for Agusan del

Norte. He is the present Chairman of the Presidents of

Law Associations in Asia-Pacic (POLA).

DENIS B. HABAWEL

Governor for Northern Luzon

Governor Habawel served as President of Ifugao

Chapter (1985-1987; 1987-1989).

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics

from De La Salle Univesity in 1977, with honors. He

graduated from the University of the Philippines Collegeof Law in 1981. He took and passed the Bar n 1981

and began private practice at PECABAR (Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas),

where he once served as its Managing Partner. At present, he is Senior Law

Partner and Head of Litigation.

OLIVIA VEL ASCO-JACOBA

Governor for Central Luzon

She was Deputy Governor for Central Luzon for two

terms and was past president of IBP Nueva Ecija

Chapter. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degreein 1961 from the University of Santo Tomas Faculty

of Civil Law. She draws attention to her brood of 11

children, formidable achievement for an accomplished

lawyer like her. Governor Jacoba was a Charter President of Soroptimist

International Club of Metro Cabanatuan (2008-2010) where under her watch was

launched the House of Hope project. House of Hope is a civic project dedicatedto helping women and girls who are victims of physical and other forms of abuse.

The project won rst place during the Soroptomist International of the Americas

Convention in California (2010), besting projects from 19 other nalist countries.

DOMINIC C. M. SOLIS

Governor for Greater Manila

The youngest ever Governor in the IBP BOG served

the IBP as Assistant National Secretary (2008-2009),

Commissioner of Bar Discipline (2011) and Director,

Quezon City Chapter (2007-2009). He earned hisBachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the

University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he also

earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 2000.Governor Solis is a Partner at

Orfanel Alambra Limwan & Solis Law Ofces.

VICENTE M. JOYAS

Governor for Southern Luzon

He served as past president of IBP Quezon Chapter and

of the Tiaong Jaycees. He was also past regional vice

president for Southern Tagalog of the Philippine Jaycees.He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de

Manila University and passed the Bar in 1964. Governor

Joyas is the founding Partner of Joyas Dauz Garcia &

Mendoza Law Ofces. He is a Professor of Law and is

an accredited MCLE Lecturer.

LEONOR L. GERONA-ROMEO

Governor for Bicolandia

She was Past President of the Sorsogon Chapter and

has served as RTC Executive Judge.

Tita Lee, as Atty. Gerona-Romeo wants to be

called, comes from a family of lawyers. Her father

MEET THE 20TH IBP BOARD OF GOVERNORSwas a judge; an older brother sat as an RTC judge in Pasig and also

served as Governor of Bicolandia; a younger sister presides at an RTC

Branch in Iriga; and a younger brother is a practicing lawyer.

Atty. Gerona-Romeo nished her basic, secondary and undergraduate studies

at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and obtained her Bachelor ofLaws degree from Ateneo de Manila. She holds a Masters degree in Public and

Business Management from De La Salle University and a Masters degree in

National Security Administration from the National Defense College, graduating

with high distinction. She is the recipient of an award for judicial excellence

from the Society for Judicial Excellence. Atty. Gerona-Romeo is a member ofthe New York State Bar.

MANUEL L. ENAGE, JR.

Governor for Eastern Visayas

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History

from the University of the Philippines and nishedhis Bachelor of Laws degree at Ateneo de Manila

University. He is president of IBP Southern Leyte

Chapter. Governor Enage practices law and founded

his own law rm.

ERWIN M. FORTUNATO

Governor for Western Visayas

Atty Fortunato, a holdover member of the previous

Board, was born on December 26, 1972 in

Odiongan, Romblon. He earned his Bachelor of

Laws degree from Manuel L. Quezon University asa working student. Without the benefit of a formal

bar review, Governor Fotunato took and passed the

Bar in 1999.

Governor Fortunato is a Solo Legal Practitioner. He teaches law subjects atRomblon State University where he also serves as its Legal Counsel. His stint as

Governor for Western Visayas is his second, having served in the same capacity

during the 2009-2011 term.

ISRAELITO P. TORREON

Governor for Eastern Mindanao

A past president of IBP Davao del Sur Chapter(2007-2009), Atty. Torreon earned his Bachelor of Arts

degree in Political Science from the University of the

Philippines in Cebu in 1991 and nished his Bachelor

of Laws degree at the Ateneo de Davao, where he was

a Deans lister. He is currently Dean of Cor Jesu LawSchool in Davao del Sur.

He holds a Master of Laws degree from San Beda College of Law and qualied

for scholarship for a second Master of Laws degree on International Humanitarian

Law in Nalsar University of Law, Hyderabad, India.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1998 and founded his own law rm. He is amember of the Faculty of the Ateneo de Davao College of Law. He is presently a

Director of the Rotary Club of Davao.

FLORENDO B. OPAY

Governor for Western Mindanao

He served as President of Lanao del Norte Chapter

(2009-2011).

A former seminarian, Atty. Opay earned his Bachelor

of Laws degree from Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos

in Cebu. He founded his own law rm, Opay andAssociates, and practices law in Lanao del Norte

and Siquijor.

Atty. Opay is the Past Master of the Glicerio A. Lim Sr. Memorial Lodge 222 of theFree and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.


15/2413

T B T

ROAN I. LIBARIOSNaonal Pesident

ATTY. LIBARIOS is the incmbent

Naonal President of the Integrated

Bar of the Philippines (IBP). He was

elected to the post b a nanimos

vote of all the IBP Regional Governors

who had previosl elected him

Execve Vice President. Before

serving as IBP Execve Vice President, A. Libarios was IBP

Governor of Eastern Mindanao and Editor-in-Chief of the IBP

Journal.

A. Libarios was formerl Vice-Governor and Congressman

of his home province of Agsan del Norte. In Congress, he served

as a Member of the Prosecon Impeachment Panel in the 2001

trial of former President Joseph Estrada. He was also a member

of the Peace Panel of the Government of the Repblic of the

Philippines and of the Invesgang Panel on the Hong kong

Torist Bs Traged (2010).

A. Libarios is presentl chairman, Presidents of Law

Associaons in Asia-Pacic (POLA); Philippine Contr Concilor,

LAWASIA; member of the American Bar Associaon (ABA) and

lead convenor of the Legal Networ for Trthfl Elecons (LENTE).

He is Founder/Managing Partner of LIBRA Law.

A. Libarios earned his Polical Science and Law degrees

from the universit of the Philippines, where he was once Editor-

in-Chief of the stdent newspaper, the Philippine Collegian. A.

Libarios is married and has two children.

NASSER A. MAROHOMSALICAcng Naonal Secetay

ATTY. MAROHOMSALIC was IBP

Governor for Western Mindanao in

2009-2011. He is a graduate of the

University of the Philippines College

of Law (1981). He was appointedb President Fidel V. Ramos as

Commissioner of the Commission on

Hman Rights in 1994, serving nl

2001.

Born in Lanao del Sr, A. Marohomsalic previosl served as

Commissioner-at-Large of the Regional Consltave Commission

for Mslim Mindanao in 1988. A prolic writer and a een polical

observer, he wrote the grond-breaing boo Aristocrats of the

Mala Race: A Histor of the Bangsa Moro in the Philippines,

published in 2001.

His service to the IBP is eqall prolic. He served as the IBP

Governor for Western Mindanao from 2009 to 2011, while also

serving as the Chairman of the IBP Commiee on Hman Rights

I B P N A T I O N A L O F F I C E R S

in 2011. He has been a member of the Board of Editors of the IBP

Journal since 2007.

As a Special Assistant to the Secretar of Foreign Aairs

from 1989 to 1992, A. Marohomsalic was a member of several

Special Missions to various states in the Middle East. In year 2000,

he was awarded a std tor on grassroots democrac in the

united States b the u.S. State Department. He is also crrentl

a consltant of the Naonal ulama Conference of the Philippines

and is a soght-aer speaer on varios isses aecng Mslim

Mindanao.

MARIA TERESITA C. SISON GONaonal Teasue

ATTY. SI SON GO obtained her Bachelor

of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degrees

from the universit of the Philippines.

She is presently a line partner at the

Romlo Mabanta Benaventra Saoc

& De Los Angeles Law Oces.

A. Sison Go was the President

of the Philippine Bar Associaon from

2010 to 2011. She was President of the University of the Philippines

Women Lawers Circle (u.P. WILOCI) from 2002 to 2004. She

is presentl a Trstee (since 2007) of the Law Associaon for

Asia and Pacic (LAWASIA Philippines). She was also a Director,

from 1997 to 1999, of the Federacion Internacional De Abogadas

(FIDA).

A. Sison Go served the IBP as Assistant Naonal Treasrer

from 1995 to 2011. A leading member of the IBP Manila IV

(Conrado V. Sanchez) Chapter, she has held varios posions in

this chapter connosl from 1991 to the present.

She connes to be an acve member of the Asean Law

Associaon (ALA), the Women Lawers Associaon of the

Philippines (WLAP), the Immigraon Lawers Associaon of the

Philippines (ILAP) and the Academ of American and Internaonal

Law Almni Associaon, Philippine branch. She was named one

of the Otstanding Scholascan Almnae Awardee dring the St.Scholascas College Manila Centennial Celebraon in 2006.

ATTY. JOSE V. CABRERANaonal Execuve Diecto fo

Opeaons

ATTy. JOSE VILLANuEVA CABRERA

has the disncon of carring on a

tradion of service and commitment to

the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

The former IBP Governor for Bicolandia

(2009-2011) and former president

of the Catandanes Chapter is the prod son of A. Brno


16/2414

F

Sabeniano Cabrera, who himself was IBP Governor for Bicolandia

in 1995-1997.

A. Cabrera is a cered pblic accontant who nished

his accountancy degree with honors, eventually pursuing his law

stdies at the Lcem of the Philippines College of Law.

Dring his term as IBP Governor, A. Cabrera chaired the

IBP Commiee on Legislaon and aended hearings in Congress

in behalf of the IBP. A. Cabrera was also a consltant for the

Naonal Hosing Athorit.

Otside of law pracce, A. Cabrera conts badminton and

tennis as his interests.

A. Cabrera is involved in a nmber of advocacies, inclding

environmental awareness and protecon, IBP involvement

in naonal isses, IBPs constonal independence, and

constonal amendments liming the Jdicial and Bar Concils

role in lling vacancies in the Spreme Cort. A. Cabrera is a

member of the Philippine Bar Associaon.

ROLAND B. INTINGExecuve Diecto fo Adinistaon

Convenon Diecto, 20th House ofDelegates

A. Inng is a prod son of Tagbilaran

City, Bohol, having obtained his

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of

Laws degrees from Divine Word

College (now Hol Name universit) in

Tagbilaran. He is the son of the late Venancio P. Inng, Tagbilaran

Cits rst Maor.

A noted law praconer, A. Inng was a professor of law

in the Divine Word College of Law. An acve pillar of the IBP, he

was the Governor for Eastern Visaas from 2009 to 2011 while

serving concrrentl as the Chairman of the IBP Commiee onBar Discipline.

From 1997 to 2001, A. Inng was the Naonal Secretar

of the IBP and previosl served as the IBP Assistant Naonal

Secretar from 1995 to 1997. In Jne 30, 1997, he was awarded

the Presidenal Disngished Service Award b the IBP and in

Jne 30, 2001 was conferred the Presidenal Plaqe of Merit

Award.

In 1981, A. Inng was named as a Grop Std Exchange

Scholar to California, u.S.A. b Rotar Internaonal. In 1991,

he was named the uSIA Internaonal Exchange Visitor to the

united States. A. Inng became an Honorar Cizen of the Cit

of Oxnard in California on March 30, 1981 and of the State of

Nebraska, U.S.A. on April 11, 1991.

ROSARIO T. SETIAS-REYESNaonal Diecto fo Legal Aid

A. Seas-Rees nished her law

studies at the University of Santo

Tomas, where she also completed her

Bachelor of Arts degree (Cm Lade).

A seasoned trial lawer, A. Seas-

Rees specializes in corporate law.

A. Seas-Rees has wored

in varios well-nown nancial and baning instons in the

country. She has served as consultant of the Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas and was Vice-President of the Ban Lawers Organizaon

of the Philippines. She has also served as Treasrer of the Women

Trial Lawers Organizaon of the Philippines and Secretar

General of the Legal Networ for Trthfl Elecons (LENTE).

Atty. Setias-Reyes has been the IBP National Director for

Legal Aid since 2007. She is presently the President of the

IBP Manila II Chapter; President of the Manila Benevolence

Lions Clb; and a Cabinet Secretar of Lions Clb International

(District 301-A1).

ALICIA A. RISOS-VIDALDiecto, Pee Assistance Poga

A. Risos-Vidal is a Senior Partner of

the Morales Rojas and Risos-Vidal Law

Oces. She is presentl a Professor

of Law at the University of the East

College of Law and was past president

of the University of the East Law

Almni, Inc. She is a Governor of theVangard of the Philippine Conston and is presentl Secretar

of the IBP Manila I Chapter.

A. Risos-Vidal completed a Cercate Corse on

Internaonal Law from the Academ of American and Internaonal

Law, Southwestern Methodist University in Texas, U.S.A. in 2007.

She was the IBP Governor for Greater Manila from 2005 to 2007.

From 2007 to 2011, she served as the Naonal Director for Bar

Discipline of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. She also served

in the Department of Jsce for several ears.

In 2011, A. Risos-Vidal was given a Dangal ng Pilipinas

award b Consmers Choice annal awards for legal and socio-

civic aairs. She is a member and/or ocer of the following:

Philippine Bar Associaon (PBA), Women Lawers Associaon ofthe Philippines (WLAP), Vangard of the Philippine Conston,

PHILCONSA, LAWASIA, kapihan sa Clb Filipino, Inc., Las Pinas

Classic Lions Club, Lions Presidents League of the Philippines,

Technical Woring Grop on Small Claims Cort, Sb-Commiee

on Revision on Notarial Rles and Sb-Screening Commiee

of the Societ for Jdicial Excellence of the Spreme Cort.

Last Jne 3, 2011, she was indcted as Treasrer of the of the

Federaon of Asia-Pacic Womens Associaon-Philippines.

A. Risos-Vidal is a reglar co-host of veteran broadcaster

Ton Calvento in his show Hssa Para sa Lahat, aired over

DWIZ 882 AM radio.

PACIFICO A. AGABINGeneal Counsel

A. Agabin hails from Badoc, Ilocos

Norte. He obtained his Bachelor

of Laws from the universit of the

Philippines in 1960, and his Master

of Laws and Doctor of Laws (J.S.D.)

from yale Law School in 1965. He is

currently a professor at the Philippine

Jdicial Academ and the u.P. College of Law.

A. Agabin was Dean of the u.P. College of Law from 1989

to 1995 and Dean of the Lcem of the Philippines College of Law


17/2415

T B T

from 2004 to 2009. Recognized as one of the contrs leading

appellate ligators, he was awarded b the u.P. Law Almni

Associaon in 1996 as Most Otstanding Law Almns.

A prolic writer and legal scholar, A. Agabin was awarded

b the Manila Crics Circle as the 1997 Naonal Boo of the

year Awardee in law for his boo unconstonal Essas. A.

Agabin has recentl lanched his latest boos, Meszo: The

Stor of the Philippine Legal Sstem and The Polical Spreme

Court.

A. Agabin is a member of the Phi kappa Phi Internaonal

Honor Society.

DENNIS B. FUNAAcng Naonal Diecto fo Ba

Discipline

A. Fna was former Dept Director

of the Commission on Bar Discipline.

He also served as CBD commissioner

from 2002 to 2011. He is a gradate

of the San Beda College of Law. Heobtained his pre-law degree (Bachelor

of Science in Commerce, major in Mareng) from De La Salle

universit. A. Fna is the Managing Partner of his Orgas-

based law rm Fna Balaan Fortes Galandines and Villagonzalo

Law Oces.

A. Fna is a professor of law at the De La Salle universit

College of Law and regularly lectures under the Mandatory

Conning Legal Edcaon (MCLE) program. He has wrien a

nmber of boos, inclding: Internaonal Law (2009), The

Law on the Administrave Accontabilit of Pblic Ocers

(2007), Legal and Jdicial Ethics (2009), Copright Law of the

Philippines (2011), Canons of Stattor Constrcon (2011),

and Trademar Law of the Philippines (2011).A. Fna was a scholar of the Internaonal Bar Associaon

(Commiee on Intellectal Propert and Bsiness Law) dring its

Biennial Conference in New Delhi, India in 1997; and a scholar of

the Associaon for Overseas Technical Scholarships for a corse

on Industrial Property in Tokyo, Japan in 1999.

A. Fna headed the Philippine Government delegaon to

the 7th Session of the WIPO Commiee of Experts on a Possible

Protocol to the Berne Convenon in Geneva, Switzerland, 1996

and dring the WIPO-Asia Pacic Conference on New Technolog

and Enforcement of Copright in Indonesia 1995.

MERLIN M. MAGALLONAEdito-in-Chief, IBP Jounal

Atty. Magallona is a professorial

lecturer at the University of the

Philippines College of Law. He was

Dean of the u.P. College of Law from

1995 to 1999. Atty. Magallona was a

Visiting Fellow at Oxford universit in

1969 and Visiting Research Fellow at

the Gradate School of International Development in Nagoa

universit in 1994. In 1999, he was nominated b the Jdicial

and Bar Council to the position of Associate Justice of the

Spreme Cort.

A. Magallona was an undersecretar in the Department of

Foreign Aairs from 2001 to 2002 and a member of the Spreme

Cort Commiee on Legal Edcaon from 1999 to 2003.

Recognized as one of the contrs foremost athories on

Internaonal Law, A. Magallona has represented the Repblic

of the Philippines as consel before the Internaonal Cort of

Jsce. He was inclded in the list of experts in Hman Rights in

the united Naons Hman Rights Commission. He was a member

of the arbitral tribnal in the Internaonal Cort of Arbitraon

of the Internaonal Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France from

1999 to 2000. He represented the Philippines in the working

grop of the uN Diplomac Conference on the Establishment

of an Internaonal Criminal Cort in Rome in 1998 and headed

the Philippine delegaon to the meeng of the ICC Preparator

Commiee in 2002.

VICTORIA V. LOANZONAssistant Naonal Teasue

A. Loanzon majored in Sociolog at

the former Marnoll College (nowMiriam College), gradang cum laude

in 1975. She subsequently earned

a Master of Arts degree in Urban-

Regional Planning from the universit

of the Philippines in 1977. She was a

member of the Order of the Prple Feather, the academic honor

society of the University of the Philippines College of Law, where

she obtained her Bachelor of Laws in 1987.

A. Loanzon is a lectrer at the Spreme Corts Mandator

Conning Legal Edcaon program. She is also a professorial

lecturer at the Faculty of Civil Law of the University of Santo

Tomas, the universit of the East College of Law and the Far

Eastern universit Instte of Law.As a lawer and licensed Environmental Planner, A. Loanzon

has lent her experse to varios strategic government and non-

government projects in the Philippines and overseas. She has also

wored in the legislave and execve branches of government,

inclding the Oce of the President, the Oce of the Speaer of

the Hose of Representaves and the Oce of the Qezon Cit

Maor. In the IBP, A. Loanzon is concrrentl President of the

Qezon Cit Chapter. She is also Assistant Naonal Secretar of

the Asean Law Associaon and Director at LAWASIA Philippines.

A. Loanzon is a member of varios professional

organizaons, inclding the Philippine Bar Associaon, the

Immigraon Lawers Associaon of the Philippines (ILAP), the

Intellectal Propert Aornes of the Philippines (IPAP), theu.P. Womens Lawers Circle (WILOCI), the Philippine Instte

of Environmental Planners (PIEP) and the u.P. Law Almni

Associaon, Inc.

RODOLFO G. URBIZTONDODeputy Geneal Counsel

A. urbiztondo is a gradate of the

College of Law of the University of the

Philippines, where he also obtained

his Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna

Cum Laude. He is presentl a member


18/2416

F

She is a heritage conservaon lawer and former

Commissioner for Cltral Heritage. she gained pblic aenon

for her sccessfl defense of Magdalo ocer and fgive Capt.

Nicanor Faeldon and the Scot Rangers and Marine Ocers of

the 2006 Fort Bonifacio stando.

A. Angeless career combines advocac, ligaon and

conservaon wor.

PATRICIA-ANN T. PRODIGALIDADAssistant Naonal Secetay

A. Prodigalidad gradated from

the University of the Philippines College

of Law, cum laude. She obtained her

Master of Laws degree from Harvard

University School of Law. She was

admied to the Bar in 1997.

A. Prodigalidad is a partner

at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Crz Law Oces

(ACCRALAW), specializing, among others, in baning, investments,

secries, ligaon, intellectal propert and alternave dispteresolon.

A. Prodigalidad is a member of the Women Lawers Circle

(WILOCI) and the Federacion Internaonal de Abogadas (FIDA).

of the Mandator Conning Legal Edcaon (MCLE) Governing

Board and of the Legal Edcaon Board.

A. urbiztondo is a professorial lectrer at the u.P. Law

Center. He served the Philippine government as Assistant Solicitor

General, rering in 2006. A consistent stdent scholar, A.

urbiztondo was Chancellor of the Order of the Prple Feather, an

academic honor organizaon in uP. He was the recipient of varios

foreign std grants inclding a std grant on Internaonal Labor

Relaons at the universit of San Francisco, Comparave Law at

the universit of Texas, and Program of Instrcons for Lawers

at Harvard Law School. He is also a gradate of the Academ of

American & Internaonal Law and a scholar of the Soth Western

Legal Fondaon.

ROSE BEATRIX CRUZ-ANGELESPublic Infoaon Oce

A. Angeles gradated from the

University of the Philippines College

of Law in 1997 and was admied

to the bar in 1998. She is also thecoordinator and spokesperson of IBP

Impeachment Watch.

IBP Dept General Consel A. Rodolfo G. urbiztondo (sixth from le) poses with parcipants to the exchange

std program held October 2011 in Berlin, German, tled Craing a Modern Criminal Code for the Philippines.

The program is a joint ndertaing of the Hans Seidel Fondaon and the Department of Jsce.

Left to right: Administrator Manuel G. Co of the Parole and Probation Administration; Atty Persida R. Acosta, Chief of the Public Attorneys

Ofce (PAO); Mr. Paul G. Schafer, Hans Siedel Foundation Resident Representative for the Philippines; Assistant Secretary Geronimo L.

Sy of the Department of Justice; Atty. Oscar B. Bernardo, representing the Philippine Association of Law Schools; Atty. Urbiztondo; Chief

Parole Ofcer Atty. Girlie F. Yulores-Dimaculangan of the Board of Pardons and Parole; Atty. Eduardo Victor J. Valdez, Esq. from the Ofce

of Senator Chiz Escudero; Prosecutor Feliciano A. Aspi, Ofce of the City Prosecutor of Makati; and Atty. Eleanor Agnes F. Abellar, Ofce of

the Chairman, Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives.


19/2417

T B T

GOV. DOMINIC C.M. SOLISChairman, COMMITTEE ON BuDGET &

FINANCE

Governor Solis is also the incmbentGovernor for Greater Manila.

GOV. VICENTE M. JOYASChairman, COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AID

Governor Joyas is also the Governor for

Sothern Lzon and an old hand in the

IBP, having held varios posts in his home

chapter.

ATTY. FERDINAND Y. MICLATChairman, COMMITTEE ON CHAPTER

AFFAIRS/MEMBERSHIP

A. Miclat is the immediate past

Governor for Central Lzon and past

president of the Tarlac Chapter.

JUSTICE ZENAIDA N. ELEPAOChairperson, COMMITTEE ON LEGAL

EDUCATION AND BAR ADMINISTRATION

Jsce Elepao is a former SC Cort

Administrator.

GOV. DENIS B. HABAWELChairman, COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL

RESPONSIBILITY, DISCIPLINE AND

DISBARMENT

Governor Habawel is the incmbent

Governor for Northern Lzon.

ATTY. ADEL A. TAMANOChairman, COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION,

ADVOCACy AND REVISION OF RuLES

A. Tamano is the Dean of the Liceode Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City and

is a partner in kapnan Tamano Javier &

Associates Law Oces.

ATTY. DOMINGO EGON Q. CAYOSAChairman, COMMITTEEE ON

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND PROTECTION

A. Caosa, a former President of IBP

Cagaan Chapter, is a long me advocate

of environmental protecon.

HEADS OF IBP COMMITTEESATTY. NASSER A. MAROHOMSALICChairman, COMMITTEE ON HuMAN

RIGHTS

A. Marohomsalic is also the AcngNaonal Secretar of the IBP. He was the

immediate past Governor for Western

Mindanao and was also formerl a

commissioner of the Commission on

Hman Rights.

ATTY. PERRY L. PEChairman, COMMITTEE ON WAyS AND

MEANS

A. Pe is a senior partner of the Romlo

Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los

Angeles Law Oces and is Dean of the

College of Law of the Palawan State

University.

GOV. OLIVIA VELASCO-JACOBAChairperson, COMMITTEE ON WOMEN

AND CHILDREN

Governor Velasco-Jacoba is the crrent

Governor for Central Lzon and has

previously served the IBP in various

capacies.

ATTY. PURA ANGELICA Y. SANTIAGOChairperson, COMMITTEE ON INTER-BAR

RELATIONS

A. Sanago is a former IBP Governor for

Sothern Lzon and is Managing Partner

of the Sanago Sarte and Associates Law

Oces.

ATTY. VICTORIA V. LOANZONChairperson, COMMITTTEE ON ASSET

MANAGEMENT

A. Loanzon also holds the post of

Assistant Naonal Treasrer of the IBP

and is the incmbent President of the IBP

Qezon Cit Chapter.

ATTY. RENATO B. VALDECANTOSChairman, COMMITTEE ON INTER-

PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS RELATIONS

A. Valdecantos is former commisioner of

the Professional Reglaons Commission

is also the former head of the Asset

Privazaon Trst.

ATTY. MANUEL M. MARAMBAChairman, COMMITTEE ON OFW AFFAIRS

A. Maramba is the immediate past

Governor of Greater Manila Region.

GOV. LEONOR GERONA-ROMEOChairperson, COMMITTEE ON

AMENDMENT OF THE RuLES AND By-LAWS

Governor Gerona-Romeo is also the

incmbent Governor for IBP Bicolandia.

DEAN JOSE MANUEL I. DIOKNOChairman, COMMITTEE ON

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

A. Diono is the Dean of the De La Salle

University College of Law.

ATTY. AMADOR Z. TOLENTINO, JR.Chairman, COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

A. Amador Z. Tolenno, Jr. is a formerGovernor for IBP Sothern Lzon and is

an acve Rotarian.

ATTY. VICTOR C. FERNANDEZChairman, Tas Force on killings of Lawers

and Journalists

A. Fernandez was a former Directorof the IBP Commission on Bar Discipline.He was also the former Ombdsman for

Northern Lzon.

ATTY. CYNTHIA ROXAS DEL CASTILLOChairman, Commiee on Naonal Bar

Accreditaon

A. Del Casllo is a Partner at RomloMabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los

Angeles Law Oces and a former Dean of

the Ateneo Law School.

ATTY. PATRICIA ANN T. PRODIGALIDADChairman, Commiee on Law Pracce

Management

A. Prodigalidad is a partner at the ACCRA

Law Oces.

ATTY. FLORIN T. HILBAYChairman, COMMITTEE RESEARCH &

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS

A. Hilba was formerl research fellow atthe Max Planc Comparave Instte forComparave Pblic Law and Internaonal

Law and former associate solicitor at theOce of the Solicitor General.


20/2418

F

LELAND R. VILLADOLID, JR.Coissione

A. Villadolid received his Bachelor of Arts degree from

the University of the Philippines and Bachelor of Laws

degree from the Ateneo de Manila universit. His gradateedcaon incldes a Master of Laws degree from the

George Washington universit School of Law and training

at the Environmental Law Instte in Washington D.C.

A. Villadolid also nderwent fellowship training nder

the aspices of the united States-Asia Environmental

Partnership (uS-AEP) Exchange Program, Instte of

Internaonal Edcaon. He is a Partner at the Angara Bello

Concepcion Regala & Crz Law Oces.

JOSE I. DE LA RAMA, JR.Coissione

A. de la Rama nished his law stdies at Far Eastern

universit and his baning and nance degree from the

University of the East. He was President of the IBP Bulacan

Chapter from 2005 to 2007. Dring his presidenc, the

Bulacan Chapter was given the Most Outstanding Chapter

award dring the Naonal Convenon of Lawers held in

Cagaan de Oro. A. de la Rama is crrentl prsing his

Master of Laws degree at the universit of Santo Tomas.

In 2003, he was chosen as the Most Otstanding Law

THE CBD

COMMISSIONERS

Praconer in the Province of Blacan. He is presentl

the Chief Execve Ocer of the Marcelo H. del Pilar Law

Fondaon, Inc. and Chairman of the kaparang kaagapa

sa kanlaran ng Baan (kAAkBAy) Mlprpose Cooperave

in Calmpit, Blacan.

OLIVER A. CACHAPEROCoissione

A. Cachapero hails from Ilocos Sr. He obtained his

Bachelor of Laws degree from the universit of Santo Tomas

in 1986 and too p his Masters in Bsiness Administraon

(MBA) at Colegio de San Jan de Letran in 1982. In 2008,

A. Cachapero was awarded the Hwarang Ama for Law

& Jdiciar. A. Cachapero was President of the IBP Ilocos

Sr Chapter from 2007 to 2009.

ROMUALDO A. DIN, JR.Coissione

Att. Din earned his Bachelor of Laws from the universit

of Santo Tomas. He was President of the IBP Manila III

Chapter from 1992 to 1995, 1998 to 2001 and 2003

to 2005. He is a Vice President of the Vangard of

the Philippine Constitution, Inc., and President of the

Metro Manila Trial Lawyers Association. He is an active

member of the International Bar Association, ASEAN

THE COmmISSION ON BAr DISCIPLINE CBD of the Integated Ba of the Philippines is tasked to invesgate

and subit ecoendaons on disciplinay chages against ebes of the ba pusuant to rule 139-B

(Disbaent and Discipline of Aoneys) of the rules of Cout. It handles appoxiately 1,000 to 1,200

adinistave disciplinay cases evey yea.

The invesgang Coissione subits his invesgaon epot to the IBP Boad of Govenos which

in tun subits its ecoendaons to the Supee Cout. All Coissiones of the Coission on Ba

Discipline ae appointees of the IBP pesident. The pesent cop of Coissiones coes fo vaied elds

of specializaon in the legal pofession, binging into the CBD a ich ix of expeiences deived fo thei

especve aeas of copetence: the acadee, govenent sevice, business and copoate law, local

govenent, the judiciay, public sevice and oe. meet the pesent CBD Coissiones:


21/2419

T B T

Law Association, Law Asia Bar, World Association of

Lawyers, National Bar Association and the Catholic

Lawyers League. Atty. Din was awarded the Presidential

Plaque of Appreciation by the Integrated Bar of the

Philippines in 1998.

MARIO V. ANDRESCoissione

Atty. Andres obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Political

Science and his Bachelor of Laws from the universit of

the bar tribune 20th hod special issue

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