MANILA, Philippines — Trade Undersecretary Rowel Barba has been named the new director general of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
In a statement yesterday, IPOPHL said Barba, who was appointed by President Duterte to head the agency, took his oath at the Palace last Feb.6.
Josephine Santiago, who previously served as IPOPHL director general, completed her term of office on Dec.31.
Prior to his appointment to the IPOPHL, Barba was undersecretary for management services group and chief of staff at the Department of Trade and Industry.
Before joining government, Barba was managing partner of Barba & Associates Law Offices.
He also served at listed firm RFM Corp. as vice president and head of the corporate legal and human resources divisions; at the JAKA Group holding several positions before becoming vice president and chief legal counsel; as well as at the Ponce Enrile Cayetano Reyes & Manalastas Law Offices as an associate.
He was likewise governor for Southern Luzon of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and legal counsel of the Philippine Practical Shooting Association.
Barba earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines.
During the turnover ceremony, Barba said there is a need to further accelerate IPOPHL’s efforts to deliver high-quality, fast, and efficient services in order to create greater impact in the country.
“Now is the time for IP to be understood by ordinary Filipinos. Now is also the time that IPOPHL should be felt by all Filipinos,” he said.