By:Julius Gregory Delgado
A PRODUCTIVE 2023 FOR IBP-BOHOL CHAPTER: LOOKING BACK
After the 26th Board of Directors and Officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bohol Chapter were sworn in on April 1, 2023, by no less than the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals – Visayas Station, Hon. Pamela Ann Maxino, they immediately buckled down for work by conducting a Team Building Seminar and Planning Session with Judge Marivic Daray (now retired and Dean of the Holy Name University College of Law) as Facilitator. The Directors and Officers identified their core values of their term with an acronym CARES which stands for Competence, Accountability, Respect, Empathy and Service.
For this year, IBP-Bohol conducted four (4) Legal Aid Outreach Missions in San Miguel (April 29, 2023 with Holy Name University College of Law), Inabanga (June 10, 2023 with University of Bohol College of Law), Sierra Bullones (August 26, 2023 with Bohol Institute of Technology College of Law) and Guindulman (September 23, 2023 with Public Attorney’s Office – Talibon District). IBP-Bohol also conducted Law Awareness Seminar at Brgy. Taloto, Tagbilaran City with Pros. Adolfo M. Doroy lecturing about Environmental Laws, Katarungang Pambarangay Law and Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act.
IBP-Bohol also hosted an Expanded Bench and Bar Dialogue last May 27, 2023 at Panda Tea Garden Suites. From the usual dialogue with the Judges and Prosecutors, we expanded the dialogue to include the Provincial and City Directors of the Bohol Provincial Police Office and Tagbilaran City Police Station, respectively, and the Chief of the Bohol Jail Management and Penology to discuss and address pressing issues of our criminal justice system. Last July 29, 2023, IBP-Bohol also organized the 1st Bar and Agencies Dialogue inviting the Province and City Registers of Deeds, Department of Agrarian Reform, Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers, Provincial and City Assessors to discuss and address various matters involving services of their respective offices.
During the Law Month last September, IBP-Bohol organized a Tennis Tournament and had a Basketball Exhibition Match with court personnel. Lawbreakers 2.0: IBP-Bohol Quiz Night was also a hit especially among law students. Last October 27-28, 2023 and November 3-4, 2023, IBP-Bohol organized a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for the Eighth (8th) Compliance Period getting the best lecturers of the country, including magistrates of the Court of Appeals. A Fun Run billed as Run-at-Law for the benefit of the Legal Aid Program of the Chapter was held last November 12, 2023.
The highlight of the year was the 50th Anniversary Celebration of IBP-Bohol Chapter last August 10, 2023 with Justice Jose Midas Marquez, representing Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, as the Keynote Speaker held at Fortridge Pavilion in Dauis, Bohol. Newly minted lawyers, Past Presidents and IBP National Officials were honored during the celebration. Year-end Fellowship was held last December 1, 2023 in Sepo Restaurant and IBP-Bohol Mobile Desk and Registration Tour were held at Hall of Justices of Carmen and Talibon last December 20 and 21, 2023, respectively. Capping the year was the Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP) Seminar for police officers last December 27-28, 2023 in Reyna’s Garden. It was a productive year and hoping for more programs, projects, and activities for the coming year 2024.