IBP local chapters elect new officers

CEBU, Philippines – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines city and provincial chapters proclaimed their new officers after their elections yesterday.

Michael Yu, the current vice president of incumbent IBP Cebu City Chapter President Briccio Joseph Boholst, will take his office as the new president of chapter starting April 1.

He will work with newly elected vice president Michelle Mendez-Palmares.

Other newly elected officers of the city chapter included Mae Elaine Bathan, secretary, Anna Marie Militante, treasurer; Nestor Nuez, auditor, and Annabel Pulvera, PRO.

Piedad “Bingo” Gonzalez, Earl Bonachita, Perpetua “Sue” Belarmino, Dave Duallo and Kit Enriquez were elected directors.

Yu won against Pedro Leslie Salva with 248 votes out of the 439 cast.

In the IBP Cebu Province Chapter Ramsey Quijano of the Redeem Party was voted as the new president over Reuel Pintor.

Of the 551 registered qualified voters of the provincial chapter, only 330 lawyers participated in the election.

Quijano’s Vice President is Dindo Antonio Perez who got 187 votes over Galicano Arriesgado who only got 138 votes.

The other officers elected were Mundlyn Misal-Martin, secretary; Orvi Ortega, auditor; Joselito Alo, PRO; and directors Gonzalo Malig-on Jr., Ferdinand Pepito, Ricardo Amores, Erwin Rommel Heyrosa and Ronnie Gocuan.

Yu said that his administration will focus on programs that will better serve the members of the chapter. Specifically, he will focus on providing more benefits to their members such as health care, insurance and pension and sports programs.

He added he will give more attention on IBP’s duty to provide legal aid, specifically active participation in jail decongestion. He said he will also encourage young lawyers to take part in the move.

Quijano said that together with his fellow officers he will democratize the policy-making of the IBP province by integrating all organizations to the formulation of new rules.

He will also organize a sports commission because he believes that lawyers need to unwind. Young lawyers will also be called to take active participation in all endeavors of the IBP specifically in the legal aid aspect.

The election of the city chapter was held in Branch 9 of the Regional Trial Court while the provincial chapter polls were held in Branch 13. — Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)