By Atty. Julius Gregory B. Delgado

IBP-BOHOL ATTENDS LEGAL AID SUBSIDY TRAINING-WORKSHOP

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Chapter, represented by yours truly as President, Treasurer Atty. Deneb Doydora and Legal Aid Clerk Ms. Princess Pumatong, attended a two-day Training-Workshop in Catarman, Northern Samar to be oriented of the Revised Guidelines on the Release, Disbursement and Liquidation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Subsidy as approved by the Supreme Court in its Resolution (Bar Matter No. 1173) dated February 6, 2024. 

Annually, Congress appropriates an amount through the Supreme Court for Bar Discipline and Legal Aid. For 2024, Supreme Court has already released to the IBP National the initial amount of Php65,450,000.00. IBP National then downloaded to the different Chapters nationwide, including IBP-Bohol, its subsidy intended to be used for its Legal Aid Program. IBP-Bohol conducts traditional and developmental legal aid activities such as Legal Aid Outreach Missions, Law Awareness Seminars and recently Jail Decongestion. IBP-Bohol also handles cases for those litigants who meet the criteria for free representation.

For the first day of the training, no less than the IBP National President, Atty. Antonio C. Pido, and IBP Governor for Eastern Visayas, Atty. Marlo V. Destura, delivered opening and inspirational messages. This was followed by a Lecture on the Financial Guidelines of IBP in 2024 delivered by IBP National Assistant Treasurer Atty. Carmelita Y. Sison focused on the following: 1) the Revised Guidelines, 2) sharing of the IBP Subsidy among the National Center for Legal Aid, Commission on Bar Discipline and National Offices and Disbursement Liquidation of the Fund, 3) Grant of Honoraria to Volunteer Lawyers; and 4) Release of Quarterly Allocations for the Legal Aid Activities of the Regional Governors. Personnel from IBP National Finance Department lectured on Mandatory Finance Procedures and Documents to Access/Avail of IBP Subsidy, Shares in Chapter Dues followed by the IBP Strategic Plan 2024-2028 by Atty. Sison. The first day ended with the Chapters reporting their respective programs, projects, and activities.

For the second day, the discussion focused on the Procurement Policy of the IBP. Atty. Patrick M. Velez, IBP National Director for Operations and Chief Procurement Officer, discussed the General Procurement Principles applicable to IBP. This was followed by a discussion on the General Fund and the IBP Annual Subsidy starting 2024 led by IBP National Treasurer Atty. Randall C. Tabayoyong. Personnel from IBP National Finance Department oriented the members on NCLA Forms and Procedures. Highlighting the fiduciary nature of the duties and functions of the IBP officers, Atty. Destura, discussed A.C. No. 11581 or the case of IBP-Cotabato Chapter vs. Atty. Noel A. Ben. The second day ended with a Dialogue Meeting of IBP Officials with Chapter Presidents and Legal Aid Clerks on Administrative Concerns of Chapters.

The Training-Workshop coincided with the 2nd Leg of the Rollout for the IBP Eastern Visayas Region for the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) with Supreme Court Justice Gaerlan as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. Both the Training-Workshop and CPRA Rollout were ably hosted by IBP Norther Samar Chapter headed by Atty. Jonathan Loberio.