Local IBP chapters shine in convention

CEBU, Philippines —  The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City and Cebu chapters lorded over other groups in bagging several awards and recognition in the just-concluded IBP 50th Founding Anniversary and 19th IBP National Convention of Lawyers in Davao City.

IBP-Cebu City, headed by its president Michelle Mendez-Palmares, came out runner-up as the best chapter, while Palmares herself was also given a plaque of special appreciation for its leadership.

Lawyer Mary Grace H. Casano, on the other hand, was named Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer anew for Category A or for 2000 members or more.

This is her second time winning such an award.  The first was in the 2019-2021 edition.

Fr. Dan Domingo Delos Angeles, a lawyer, for his part, was the Governor’s Choice for the Most Outstanding legal aid lawyer in the regional level.

The other major awards the IBP-Cebu City Chapter got include the Best Legal Aid Practice for its Humanity Behind Bars: Integrated Jail Decongestion and Management program, Best Legal Aid practice for its integrated developmental legal aid for the indigenous peoples and Colors for Second Chance: Holistic Changes for Operation Second Chance.

IBP Cebu City also got special awards including the Most Innovative Online Activity/Practice for its e-systems, Best Non-Legal Aid Practice for its Big Brother program, The Firm, and Pathways.

“On behalf of the IBP Cebu City Chapter 25th Board of Officers, I thank our Cebu City Justice Zone, all our 79 partners, and legal aid volunteers for the generous and all-out support that brought these achievements,” Palmares said over her social media account.

IBP Cebu City’s basketball team also added up spice after taking away the silver medal in the national convention’s basketball tournament.

On the other hand, IBP Cebu chapter got six special awards and two recognitions.

IBP-Cebu posted back-to-back awards for Most Outstanding overall legal aid program (category A) along with the best legal aid practice for its Balik Abogado Balik program, best practices for its Abogados to the barrios, best non-legal aid practice for its barrister one-stop shop (BOSS), best member centered event/activity award for the office of the co-counsels, most innovative non-legal aid activity/practice for its petition for change of name assistance.

IBP-Cebu’s Louise Dagatan also got the legal aid act of distinction award while a plaque of recognition for batch Gold’s President from IBP Cebu Chapter was given to its chapter president, lawyer Cherry Pamela Palacao-Condat and a special award to its Vice-President Michael Hubahib (Top 50 UntoNatcon registration).

IBP-Cebu also got two golds in the badminton event through the efforts of lawyer Cheska Geli who won the women’s singles and the mixed doubles alongside lawyer Mario Calvo. — GAN (FREEMAN)