BY ATTY. JULIUS GREGORY B. DELGADO
IBP EASTERN VISAYAS ELECTS NEW GOVERNOR
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Eastern Visayas Region elected a new Regional Governor last April 12, 2025, in the person of Atty. Patrick Versoza Santo of IBP Leyte Chapter. Fourteen (14) delegates from nine (9) Chapters (Bohol, Biliran, Cebu, Cebu City, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Samar, Southern Leyte and Northern Samar) voted with Atty. Santo being unopposed. IBP-Bohol Chapter was represented by its delegate, Atty. John Jeric Sarmiento Lim, the current/incumbent IBP-Bohol Chapter President.
Along with the other elected Governor from the other eight (8) IBP Regions, they will begin their two-year term on July 1, 2025. On May 7, 2025, the nine (9) newly elected Regional Governors will elect the next Executive Vice President who will automatically serve as the IBP National President for the term 2027-2029.
As a brief background on the newly elected Governor, Atty. Santo finished his law studies at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993 and passed that year’s Bar Examinations placing 5th among the examinees with a grade of 85.27%. Atty. Santo also served as IBP Leyte Chapter President from 2015-2017. Atty. Santo also teaches law at the Leyte Colleges.
The Governor, being the extension or deputy of the IBP National President in his or her region, spearheads IBP regional activities such as the hosting of the IBP Regional Convention, regional rollouts of new legal developments like the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), regional legal aid initiatives and other activities. In his address after being elected, Atty. Santo promised to be of service to all constituent Chapters telling the delegates to feel free to suggest or even criticize him if he is not doing his job as Governor.