MABALACAT CITY — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Pampanga Chapter dominated the 18th IBP National Convention of Lawyers with the theme “IBP doing more, better, faster amidst change and challenges” held via Zoom on June 26.
With more than 3,600 lawyers in attendance, IBP Pampanga reigned the virtual event by winning three major awards including the highest honor as the Hall of Fame Most Outstanding IBP Chapter.
IBP Pampanga also won the Best Practices Award for its “Kasalang Bayan at Binyagan Para sa Katutubo” project which is a collaborative project with the Angeles City local government to provide birth registration for the indigenous people in the province, and the Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer by one of its chapter members, Atty. Ruelan Sagun.
Sagun has been a volunteer legal aid lawyer of the chapter since 2017 and has consistently been among the top performers in the roster of legal aid lawyers based on the number of legal advice, dismissals and legal representation in court for legal aid programs. Sagun was also able to render free legal advice to 124 individuals for 2019-2021 which corresponds to almost 30 percent of the total number of individuals IBP Pampanga was able to serve with free legal advice. Sagun also holds the most number of prepared legal documents and counter-affidavits before the National Prosecution Service which is 45 percent of the total output of IBP Pampanga’s legal aid committee.
Sagun is also an active community legal aid service lawyer joining various legal outreach activities in barangays, schools, and malls including regular jail visitation and outreach projects in different detention facilities in the province such as Pampanga Provincial Jail, BJMP Angeles City District Jail, BJMP Guagua, Pampanga District Jail, and BJMP Arayat District Jail.
The Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer Award is IBP Pampanga’s third consecutive award for the same category.
IBP Tarlac was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Chapter Category B first runner-up and Most Outstanding Legal Aid Chapter Category B. IBP Zambales also won the Best Practices Award for its “Oplan Birth Right” project and Special Award for the “Writ of Kalikasan.”
Meanwhile, The IBP Central Luzon (IBPCL) likewise held its Regional Convention at Carmelita Resort in Angeles City with the theme: “The Filipino Lawyer: Resilient and Competent in the time of Pandemic” on June 25.
IBPCL honored its 2019-2021 Gawad Dangal ng Gitnang Luzon Awardees through its seven chapter presidents and officers’ recommendations to their region namely: Governor’s commendation, IBPCL general counsel Hon. Jesus Ricardo Degala III; president Juvy Mell commendation, Hon. Carmelita Reyes- Eleazar IBPCL Governor (2017-2019); president Anel Martin Antero commendation, Secretary of Justice Hon. Menardo “Boy” Guevarra; president Atty. Wilson Chua commendation, Nueva Ecija Governor Hon. Aurelio M. Umali, president Pons dela Cruz commendation, Court of Appeals of the Philippines Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando; president Teodora Cerdan commendation, Urdaneta, Pangasinan RTC 49 Presiding Judge Joven Maramba; president Philjoy Baluyut commendation, IBP Tarlac retired Judge Alipio Yumul, and president Hanna Devilla commendation, Olongapo Mayor Hon. Rolen Paulino Jr.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is the official organization of all lawyers in the country with a mission to elevate the standards of the legal profession, improve the administration of justice, and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.
