IBP BOHOL HOLDS POST-COVID CHRISTMAS PARTY
Last Friday, December 9, 2022, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bohol Chapter hosted its first Christmas Party post-pandemic. Because of the strict restrictions, Bohol’s mandatory association of lawyers did not hold its annual traditional Christmas Party for the past two holidays. This year’s Christmas Party was held at the newly-renovated Metro Centre Hotel with a theme, “Giving Back with Grateful Hearts”.
Hosted by Atty. Maria Rebeca Dalagan-Cagadas, the Chapter’s dynamic President, Atty. Licelle D. Zamora, opened the event followed by the Inspirational Speech of former IBP National Secretary and Governor for Eastern Visayas, Atty. Roland Inting. This Christmas Party’s Guest of Honor and Speaker was Judge Marlo Apalisok Magdoza-Malagar of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 19, a Boholana whose unfavorable decision over the case filed by the Department of Justice to declare the CPP-NPA a Terrorist Organization gained national attention/controversy. Judge Malagar, the daughter of retired RTC Judge Pablo Magdoza and Maria Margarita Apalisok, underscored the need to be courageous and steadfast in upholding the Rule of Law and ensuring in coming up with a “just decision” which is the correct application of the law over correct set of facts. Judge Malagar emphasized in her speech that “what is legal is not always popular and what is popular is not always legal.” She underscored and highlighted the role of lawyers in encouraging respect to our courts in this time of disinformation.
After her speech, Judge Malagar received a Plaque of Recognition from the Chapter for her courage, grit and determination in upholding the Rule of Law. Also receiving an award from the Chapter was the newly-appointed Assistant Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Atty. Virgilio “Dodong” Mendez, Jr., and yours truly for being appointed as Commissioner on Bar Discipline of the IBP National.
The first Lady Mayor of Tagbilaran City, Hon. Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap, also graced the event delivering a Christmas message. Mayor Cajes-Yap asked for the lawyers’ support for the city’s continuing progress. Accompanied by her husband, the three-term former Mayor John Gesnell “Baba” Yap, Mayor Cajes-Yap handed Ten Thousand Pesos (Php10,000.00) and gave away ten (10) overnight stay at Hotel John and Bohol Tropics to be raffled away to the attendees. Almost all of the participants won the raffle bringing home door prizes, including the cash and hotel stay given by the city’s first couple.
During the event, the body also picked and awarded the best dressed attendees, namely: Attys. Al Tinampay, Nuevas “Jas” Tirol-Montes, John Titus Vistal, Heidi Oracion-Tinampay, Ariel Ramirez and Maria Contessa Butron. Lawyers with great talent in singing, Attys. Heidi Oracion-Tinampay and Lady Victoria Dejaño, entertained the crowd with their intermission performances. It was a wonderful evening of merriment and relaxation capping a challenging year as the Boholano lawyers look forward to a brand new year with hope for normalcy and prosperity.