Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin has asked the members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to “elevate the standards of legal profession” and “discharge its public responsibility more effectively.”
Bersamin also extolled the IBP members for playing diverse critical roles in society during the inaugural dinner and oathtaking of the appointed IBP National Officers at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday, July 23.
Recognizing the pivotal role of lawyers in the effective administration of justice, the chief magistrate described the IBP members as “foot soldiers of the Constitution, sentinels of democracy, engineers of commerce, field levelers/ neutralizers, healers of the body politic, bridge builders, educators, and advocates.”
“Gamitin ninyo ang inyong galing upang mabawasan ang aming kaso (Use your skills to decrease our caseload),” referring to the heavy dockets of the Court.
The Chief Justice also urged the IBP to help “elevate the standards of legal profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.”
“For so long as every member of the Bar is guided by the Code of Professional Responsibility, the practice of law will continue to be a noble profession—this is its strength and its greatness,” he said.
The top magistrate also reminded officials of the IBP officials to remain faithful in their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution and rule of law.
Bersamin told the new set of IBP officials that they are under the administrative power of the high court.
“We respect your autonomy but you will have to remember that you are not entirely independent of the Supreme Court,” the SC chief said.
The chief justice cited the SC’s authority to discipline erring officials of the IBP.
“Your discipline will always be based on the merits of the case. We will not punish you without any justification, you can be assured of that,” he assured.
Bersamin issued the reminder after the IBP, a mandatory organization of all lawyers in the country, was dragged into controversies such as the writ of kalikasan petition on the West Philippine Sea by fishermen from Zambales and Palawan and Peter Advincula, the confessed “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narco List” videos that accused President Duterte’s family and allies of involvement in illegal drug trade.
During oral arguments on the kalikasan case, Solicitor General Jose Calida revealed that the IBP deceived fishermen into filing the petition for the protection of marine resources in the West Philippine Sea. It was found that their names were used by the IBP as petitioners without their consent and knowledge.
Last week, the IBP withdrew the petition after it was disowned by the fishermen in affidavits submitted to the SC by Calida.
Last May, the IBP also became controversial after hosting the press conference of Advincula in their national headquarters in Pasig City.
Advincula later on recanted his statements and claimed that the opposition was behind the videos in an alleged plot of oust Duterte.
In an interview after the oath-taking, new IBP national president Domingo Egon Cayosa claimed that their organization remains apolitical.
He revealed that they have conducted an internal investigation on Advincula’s press conference in the IBP headquarters, but refused to share the findings to the media.
“We cannot share this to the media. We don’t do these things for media consumption but to find out the truth,” Cayosa said.
“I was not involved in that (press con). I don’t know the details and the background so I cannot comment. I don’t know Bikoy so I cannot comment on what he said and whom he knows,” the IBP official added.
Advincula’s press conference happened during the term of Cayosa’s predecessor, Vicente Joyas.
Cayosa also begged not to comment on the kalikasan case, citing the gag order issued by the SC on parties.
Several groups have already expressed plans to file administrative cases, including disbarment complaints, against those responsible for the filing of the petition without the fishermen’s consent – including IBP lawyer Andre Palacios and losing senatorial bet Chel Diokno.
Apart from Cayosa, those who took their oath before the SC were IBP governors Burt Estrada, Eastern Mindanao; Doroteo Lorenzo Aguila, Northern Luzon; Baby Ruth Torre, Central Luzon; Eleazar Calasan, Greater Manila; Eric Alajar, Southern Luzon; Gil Taway IV, Bicolandia; James Jayson Jorvina, Eastern Visayas; Gina Mirano Jesena, Western Visayas; and Cristy Joy Sollesta, Western Minadano.
The IBP, which was created as the national organization of lawyers through Republic Act 6397 in 1971, has more than 40,000 active members.
