Atty. Julius Gregory Delgado
IBP NATIONAL HOLDS 19TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF LAWYERS
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (“IBP”), led by its National President and Chairman of the 25th IBP Board of Governors, Atty. Burt M. Estrada, held its 19th National Convention of Lawyers (“NCL”) last February 15-18, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang District, Davao City. With a theme “IBP @ 50: Looking Back, Moving Forward”, the event was attended by more than 3,000 lawyers. Since it is the first face-to-face NCL after 4 years because of the pandemic, one of the organizers declared that it is one if not the most attended NCL in the history of the IBP.
For the first day and opening salvo, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, represented by Vice Mayor Jay Quitain, delivered the welcome remarks. IBP President Estrada then rendered his National President’s Report. Senior Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen lectured on alternative lawyering and legal aid sharing his experiences representing the marginalized when he was still a younger lawyer. The Honorable Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines, Hon. Alexander G. Gesmundo, then delivered his Keynote Address. During lunch, American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative discussed the new Legal Aid or Pro Bono Lawyering App or Portal. In the afternoon, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa lectured on “Reforms in Supreme Court Oversight of IBP and in Bar Examinations” followed by a lecture by Associate Justice Jhoseph Y. Lopez on “Updates in Criminal Law”. The session ended by a two-hour lecture of Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh on the “Revised Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability”. In the evening, a Fellowship Night was held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel with Hon. Sara Z. Duterte, Vice President of the Philippines as Keynote Speaker.
On the second day, the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Hon. Emilio B. Aquino, delivered a lecture on “Updates on the New Corporation Code” followed by a lecture on “National Prosecution Rules” by Hon. Benedicto Malcontento, Prosecutor General. The morning session ended by a lecture by Atty. Enrique V. Dela Cruz, Jr., Senior Partner of Divina Law, on “Resolving the Sugar and Spice (Onions) Crisis Through International Trade”. During lunch, Hon. Franklin J. Demonteverde, IBP Representative to the Judicial and Bar Council, discussed about “Recruitment, Selection and Nomination Process of the Judicial and Bar Council”. In the afternoon session, Atty. Teodoro Y. Kalaw IV, Deputy Secretary General of the International Center for Conflict Resolution, discussed about “Best Practices in Arbitration Strategy and Evidence” followed by a lecture on “Updates on Civil Procedure” by Hon. Magdangal M. De Leon, Retired Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. The afternoon session ended with a lecture on “Recent Developments in Law and Jurisprudence on Arbitration” by Atty. Donemark Joseph L. Calimon, Secretary General of the Philippine International Center for Conflict Resolution. In the evening, a Governor’s Ball was held at SMX Convention Center with Hon. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, as Keynote Speaker.
On the third and final day, Atty. Avelino V. Sales, Jr., the National Director of the Commission on Bar Discipline, lectured on “New Rules of Procedure Introduced by the Revised Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability and their Effects on the Procedure on Administrative Cases Against Lawyers” followed by a lecture on “International Law Solutions to Philippine Law Problems” by Prof. Andre C. Palacios. The NCL ended with a Plenary Session discussing resolutions proposed and passed either by local chapters and/or the IBP Board of Governors.
Indeed, it was a vibrant and enriching NCL learning the latest developments in law while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow lawyers nationwide, both in government and private sector/practice.