Publications
THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
May to August 2014
The second trimester of 2014 showed the Chapter’s following through with its advocacy commitments and exploring further opportunities to serve the legal community and the less fortunate of the general populace.
General Matters
The Chapter will actively participate in the 2015 IBP National Convention scheduled on March 20 to 22, 2015 at the Waterfront Convention Center, Lahug, Cebu City, with the theme “IBP: A Renewal and Revival of National Relevance.”
Legal Aid
A. Developmental Legal Aid
The Chapter recently participated in the Joint IBP and the Department of Social Welfare and Development training on the handling of cases involving victims of human trafficking and violence against women and children. As a result, the Chapter noted that in certain cases, the filing of criminal cases pursuant to the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (Republic Act No. 9262) is being abused by certain lawyers to apply undue pressure against husbands to provide support. In most cases, however, these husbands are poor and the filing of a criminal case deprives them of the means to earn a livelihood and meet their obligation to provide support. At present, the Chapter is reviewing the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act to come up with guidelines for the proper handling of such cases.
As part of its environmental and climate change advocacy, the Chapter is currently finalizing arrangements for this year’s edition of Lex Aqua Clean-up Dive and Fellowship which is scheduled on 20 September 2014 at Anilao, Batangas.
B. Traditional Legal Aid
In June 2014, the Chapter coordinated with the Public Attorney's Office (“PAO”) Chief, Persida V. Rueda-Acosta to resolve increasing number of cases referred to the Chapter. The increase was attributable to conflicts-of-interest arising from the PAO’s legal assistance of indigent complainants.
To improve the efficiency of legal aid despite the increasing volume of cases, the PAO and the Chapter agreed to institute a mechanism where the Chapter may refer cases to the PAO for mediation or legal assistance. The Chapter is currently in the process of drafting guidelines to implement this arrangement.
The latest status report for the legal aid cases being handled by the Chapter is available upon request.
Special Concerns
The Chapter recently concluded its donation to the Peter Project where the value of four (4) fiber-glass motor boats were donated to qualified fisherfolk families in Tanuan, Leyte. The simple donation was received with overflowing gratitude by the beneficiaries whose livelihoods were devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
As a showing of its commitment to its existing advocacies, the Chapter is exploring the possible institution of advocacy partnerships with various Chambers of Commerce. The Chapter has coordinated with United States-ASEAN Business Council for possible projects which include a Christmas gift drive for Yolanda victims and advocacy work against graft and corruption particularly in the prosecution of cases involved in the pork barrel scam.
Recognizing that the pork barrel scam is merely part of the bigger problem of graft and corruption that ails the Country, the Chapter is also exploring possibilities of providing assistance to the Commission on Audit and the Ombudsman to augment their capabilities to investigate and prosecute instances of graft and corruption.
Legal Education
Following the launch of the Chapter’s website and legal education blog, the Chapter now sets its sights in organizing a Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (“MCLE”) seminar for Chapter members. The MCLE seminars are tentatively scheduled in January and February 2015 which will feature lectures from several renowned MCLE speakers based in the University of the Philippines Law Center.
Fellowships and Ways and Means
The Chapter recently participated in the Southern Luzon Regional Convention and Sportsfest which aimed to foster unity and camaraderie among the various IBP Chapters in Southern Luzon. To encourage participation of IBP Makati Chapter members, the Chapter’s leadership resolved to subsidize the registration fee of lawyers for the Southern Luzon Regional Sportsfest. To further foster camaraderie among its members, the Chapter began planning for the 2014 Christmas Party and a second golf tournament.
Membership
The Chapter inducted thirty-three (33) new members, mostly young lawyers fresh from passing the 2013 Bar Examinations. The Induction Ceremony was held at Bravo Restaurant on 18 June 2014. In addition to the Chapter’s leadership, the Induction Ceremony was graced by the attendance of IBP National President Vicente M. Joyas and IBP Governor for Southern Luzon, Ramon S. Esguerra. With the newly inducted members, the Chapter is proud to report that it remains strong with over Three Thousand (3,000) members in good standing.
BIENVENIDO I. SOMERA, JR.
Chapter President
