MANILA -- A local chapter of the 60,000-plus strong Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Tuesday cautioned its leadership against what it described as acts which "politicize" the organization.
In a statement to newsmen, the IBP Davao expressed its objection to the IBP national leadership's decision to host a press conference in its Ortigas office for ex-convict Peter Joemel Advincula, the man who claimed to be "Bikoy" in the "Ang Totoong Narco-list" video.
IBP Davao said the IBP "allowed itself to be used as the staging area for Bikoy's show".
"Certainly, the drama reeks of political agenda, and the sole decision of the present leadership of the IBP National," the group said.
"The IBP Davao City Chapter is neither privy to Bikoy's show nor supportive of the same. It does not reflect the sentiment of the membership of the Chapter as an organization," the statement added and pointed out that the IBP is a non-partisan organization not established to cater to political interests.
The group said the decision of the present leadership of the IBP National is not in accordance with the purposes of the IBP to elevate the standards of the legal profession, improve the administration of justice and enable the bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.
"For one, Bikoy's storyline is polluted and it's source comes from the very mouth of an alleged suborner himself," the statement read.
"The IBP Davao City Chapter does not and will not tolerate any statements from the present leadership of the IBP National that will result in politicizing the organization," the group added. (PNA)
