By Atty. Julius Gregory B. Delgado

IBP-BOHOL HOSTS HONORING NIGHT 2024

After a successful celebration of its Golden (50th) Anniversary last year, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Bohol Chapter (“IBP-Bohol”) held another Honoring Night last Friday, 01 March 2024, at Dagohoy Grand Ballroom, Bohol Tropics Resort, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, was the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. 

With a theme “The Boholano Lawyer for Others: Charting the Next 50 Years of IBP-Bohol Chapter Towards Genuine and Meaningful Service to the Community”, the Boholano legal community welcomed to IBP-Bohol Chapter newly minted lawyers who successfully hurdled the 2023 Hernando Bar Examinations. IBP-Bohol also gave recognition to its partners under its Legal Assistance for Effective Law Enforcement Program (LAELEP), particularly the Provincial Government of Bohol, led by Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, and the Bohol Provincial Police Office, led by Police Colonel Lorenzo A. Batuan.

IBP-Bohol also gave Plaques of Appreciation to its Legal Aid Partners, namely: Holy Name University College of Law (Dean Marivic T. Daray) and Municipal Local Government Unit of San Miguel (Hon. Ian Gil G. Mendez, Municipal Mayor) for the Legal Aid Outreach in San Miguel, Bohol last April 29, 2023; University of Bohol College of Law (Dean Gregorio B. Austral) and Municipal Local Government Unit of Inabanga (Hon. Jose Jono C. Jumamoy, Municipal Mayor) for the Legal Aid Outreach in Inabanga, Bohol last June 10, 2023; Bohol Institute College of Law (Assistant Dean Glenn Rey D. Anino), Municipal Local Government Unit of Sierra Bullones (Hon. Michael I. Doria, Municipal Mayor) and Lagang Solis and Arbitrario Law Offices (Atty. Teodoro M. Lagang, Managing Partner) for the Legal Aid Outreach in Sierra Bullones, Bohol last August 26, 2023; Public Attorney’s Office – Talibon District (Atty. Vanessa Niemes-Diano, District Head) and Santa Cruz Parish of Catungawan Sur, Guindulman, Bohol (Fr. John Ricarte Cristal, Parish Priest) for the Legal Aid Outreach in Guindulman, Bohol last September 24, 2023; and Municipal Local Government Unit of Corella (Hon. Juan Manuel Y. Lim, Municipal Mayor) for the Legal Aid Outreach in Corella, Bohol last January 27, 2024.

Also feted were the Representatives of the Province of Bohol, namely: Congressman Edgar M. Chatto (First Congressional District), Congresswoman Vanessa C. Aumentado (Second Congressional District) and Congresswoman Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor (Third Congressional District); and Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Censoria Cajes-Yap, for being the major sponsors of the Run-at-Law: Fun Run for Legal Aid held last November 12, 2023. 

IBP-Bohol also honored Boholano judges who were recently commended by the Supreme Court for being among the presiding judges of first- and second-level courts which achieved the 10 highest clearance rates per judicial region for the year 2022. For second-level courts within the Seventh (7th) Judicial Region, the following were commended from our province: Hon. Hon. Jorge B. Espinal of Regional Trial Court of Carmen, Branch 51 (Rank No. 3, 129.43%); and Hon. Samuel A. Biliran and Hon. Rufo U. Naragas of Regional Trial Court of Loay, Branch 50 (Rank No. 8, 118.78%). For the first-level courts, the following were commended:  Hon. Olivia C. Migriňo-Mende of Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Sierra Bullones-Pilar (Rank No. 5, 122.64%); Hon. Mildred R. Maglajos of Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Inabanga-Buenavista (Rank No. 6, 112.73%); and Hon. Meriam L. Ballener-Tradio of Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Candijay-Anda (Rank No. 8, 103.85%).

Finally, the following judges who recently retired from service were given the spotlight and recognition during the event, namely:Hon. Jorge D. Cabalit (Ret.), Former Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court of Tagbilaran City, Branch 48; Hon. Sisinio C. Virtudazo (Ret.), Former Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court of Tagbilaran City, Branch 4; and Hon. Leo M. Lison (Ret.), Former Executive Judge and Presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court of Tagbilaran City, Branch 3.

The Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker, Justice Singh, was introduced by Dean Marivic T. Daray. The event was hosted by Atty. John Titus J. Vistal, CPA, EnP and Atty. Heidi O. Oracion-Tinampay, CPA.