IBP 101 and post-election blues
Last Saturday, Filipino lawyers trooped to the polls for their biennial election. In some hotly-contested chapters, especially in Metro Manila, partisans engaged in Monday morning quarterbacking. We congratulate the winners. To the losers, there is honor in defeat. It’s how ethical you play the game. Don’t do a Trump. Concede.
As we go to press, we haven’t heard of any controversy surrounding the election. But there will be questions. For instance, the requirement of membership “in good standing,” a prerequisite for voting is a magnet for controversy.
I hate to say this, but the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National Office is not efficient in preparing the roster of members. Exhibit “A” is my case. I have religiously paid my annual dues, but in the initial list emailed by the IBP National to my chapter, my name did not appear. This is surprising because my payments were acknowledged through an email by them, and I have bank receipts to show. After I emailed the IBP Finance a strongly worded protest, they admitted their lapse and offered an apology.
The husting evoked reflection about the organization.
In the Philippines, if you pass the Bar examinations, you “automatically and without exception” become a member of the IBP. You have no choice. By force of law, membership is mandatory. This should not be confused with the Philippine Bar Association whose membership is voluntary, although it preceded the IBP and they have an identical mandate.
To do away with charlatans, court hoaxers and fake lawyers, the Supreme Court has provided safeguards. For instance, in all pleadings in judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, practitioners must indicate their Roll of Attorneys Number, including the receipt number for payment of annual dues and professional fees. To update lawyers of emerging laws and jurisprudence, lawyers must undergo the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), administered by the Supreme Court. This is another must-do for litigators — every three years — before they can appear in court, which they must indicate also in their pleadings. If one holds a government position related to law and justice, one can apply for a certificate of equivalency to be excused from MCLE attendance. I remember having been issued such a certificate by Ms. Myrna Feliciano, then head of the MCLE program. (She was our librarian during our university days at Malcolm Hall, University of the Philippines-Diliman. Is she still around?) I needed it because of the number of years I have held several positions in government and failed to attend MCLE.
The IBP has gone a long way from being a mere run-of-the-mill organization to a political and social force whose voice influences public discourse on critical national issues.
It has made its mark in the political history of our country. It assumed a frontline critical role in the fight against the curtailment of basic freedoms and protection of human rights. Members led street indignation rallies for perceived mis- or malgovernance, corruption and other socio-political ills.
Comparing the zeitgeist of the time when I served as Chapter President, then Governor/Vice President for
Western Mindanao (1990-1991), the contemporary milieu is more challenging for the new officers. Constant social and political problems are back with ferocity.
Issues we didn’t have before, like extrajudicial killings, tokhang, desaparecido and the growing number of murders of lawyers and judges, confront them. The pandemic complicates their work.
Little is known about laudable projects and programs of IBP. It has institutionalized a legal aid program for indigent Filipinos through its IBP National Committee on Legal Aid.
The IBP National Committee on Bar Discipline promotes ethical practice of the legal profession. After a hearing, it can recommend to the Supreme Court disciplinary penalty to an erring lawyer.
It helps law schools design their legal education curricula attuned to the changing times.
On a personal note, congratulations to my nephew, Dagoroan Aguam Macarambon II, who won the presidency of the Lanao Sur-Marawi Chapter by acclamation. Kudos to the superb diplomacy of negotiators, led by RDO Malik Umpar and PES Udtog Tago who made it happen.
Big hooray for brod Sigma Rhoan Mike Atanante who scored a landslide victory at the Quezon City Chapter. Our tradition of leadership lives on.
“Issues we didn’t have before, like extrajudicial killings, tokhang, desaparecido and the growing number of murders of lawyers and judges, confront them.
“IBP has gone a long way from being a mere run-of-the-mill organization to a political and social force whose voice influences public discourse on critical national issues.