MANILA – The leadership of the 60,000-strong Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Wednesday said the organization will work to build awareness of legal rights among members of the general public, especially on key national issues.
Lawyer Antonio C. Pido, IBP’s new national president, on Wednesday said, “We have legal issues on our territorial seas which have been adversely affecting subsistence fishermen against foreign intrusion. This is guaranteed to be protected under Section 7, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution… The IBP has a public responsibility to do its share in making people aware of what the law on the matter is -- all geared towards upholding the rule of law in the Philippines,” he said.
Pido added that “the IBP shall not shy away from speaking with one voice on these legal issues.”
Pido succeeds Burt Estrada whose term of office as IBP president ended last June 30. He is a former president of IBP Samar Chapter and Governor for Eastern Visayas region. He also served as Executive Vice President under Estrada administration.
In his inaugural speech Tuesday evening, Pido said that the IBP must speak on the “legal issues affecting our nation and our communities.”
Among the legal issues he cited is the obligation of government to uphold human rights. He also referred to the simmering tension in the West Philippine Sea.
Also inducted were Allan Panolong as Executive Vice President and Governor for Western Mindanao, Minerva Taguinod as Governor for Northern Luzon, Kriden Balgomera as Governor for Greater Manila, Annalyn Sherry Hibo-Gamboa as Governor for Bicolandia, Pitero Reig as Governor for Southern Luzon, Cres Tan as Governor for Western Visayas, Marlo Destura as Governor for Eastern Visayas and PN Trinidad as Governor for Eastern Mindanao. (PNA)
