By Atty. Julius Gregory B. Delgado
SUCCESSFUL HOSTING OF 2024 IBP EASTERN VISAYAS REGIONAL CONVENTION
Around 200 delegates attended the 2024 Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Eastern Visayas Regional Convention last June 13-14, 2024, in Modala Resort, Panglao, Bohol with “One Vision, One Region: Elevating the Legal Profession in the Eastern Visayas Region by Adapting to Legal Trends and Judicial Innovations” as its theme.
Before the regional convention, the participating nine Chapters in the IBP Eastern Visayas Region (Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Cebu City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte) participated in a two-day sports festival last June 11-12, 2024, held in Bohol Wisdom School and Dao Covered Court in Tagbilaran City for Basketball and Tennis Doubles tournaments, respectively. In the Basketball event, Cebu emerged as Champions defeating Cebu City. Leyte defeated the home team, Bohol, taking third place. In the Tennis Doubles Tournament, Leyte emerged as Champions defeating Cebu.
During the evening of the first day of the regional convention, a search for Mr. and Ms. IBP Eastern Visayas Regional Convention was held with Atty. Kate Mengullo of Leyte and Atty. Derreck Bullecer of Bohol taking home the crown. No less than Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and IBP National President Antonio Pido crowned the winners. Attys. Mengullo and Bullecer will represent the IBP Eastern Visayas Region during the Mr. and Ms. IBP National during the National Convention of Lawyers on January 30-31 and February 1, 2025.
During the Opening Ceremony, no less than Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez graced the occasion representing Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. The following IBP National Officials and Board of Governors were likewise present: Atty. Emerico De Guzman (General Counsel), Atty. Manuel Joseph Ibanez III (National Director for Chapter Affairs), Atty. Job Florante Castillo (National Director for Peer Assistance), Atty. Patrick Velez (National Director for Operations), Atty. Avelino Sales, Jr. (National Director for Bar Discipline), Atty. Marcelino Michael Atanante (National Director for Legal Aid), Atty. Gina Mirano-Jesena (National Director for Conventions and Special Events), Atty. Carmelita Sison (Assistant National Treasurer), Atty. Randall Tabayoyong (National Treasurer), Atty. Doroteo Aguila (National Secretary), Atty. Marlo Destura (Governor for Eastern Visayas), Atty. Rafael Cresencio Tan (Governor for Western Visayas), Atty. Annalyn Sherryl Hibo-Gamboa (Governor for Bicolandia), Atty. Pitero Reig (Governor for Southern Luzon), Atty. Kriden Balgomera (Governor for Greater Manila), Atty. Maria Imelda Quaimbao-Tuazon (OIC-Governor for Central Luzon), Atty. Minerva Magtanao-Taguinod (Governor for Northern Luzon), Atty. Allan Panolong (Governor for Western Mindanao and Executive Vice President) and Atty. Antonio Pido (National President).
This is the third time Bohol hosted the biennial gathering of lawyers in the IBP Eastern Visayas Regional Convention. IBP-Bohol also hosted the regional convention last 1995 and 2009.