IBP to probe outgoing officials for Bikoy press con

MANILA, Philippines — The incoming leadership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is set to probe the role of their outgoing officials in the surfacing last week of Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that accused several members of the presidential family of links to the illegal drug trade in the country.

New IBP national president Domingo Eyon Cayosa yesterday said they would conduct a formal investigation on the press conference conducted by Advincula at their headquarters in Pasig City last May 6.

Cayosa explained that the investigation would look into reports that some IBP officials sanctioned the press conference and determine if there were rules violated.

He said the probe would also look into possible accountability of these officials.

“Be assured that we will responsibly do our job as elected leaders of the organization and safeguard the interests and integrity of the IBP,” Cayosa said in a statement.

Former IBP national president Vicente Joyas immediately welcomed the development.

“There must be an investigation by the IBP board on the Bikoy incident to determine the accountability of those who had participation in the arranged press conference,” Joyas stressed in an interview.

“The IBP Board must come up with the appropriate resolution which will serve as guidance in any case which may be brought against the erring officers of the IBP before the Supreme Court,” he suggested.

Joyas revealed that a “substantial majority of the members of IBP” are “ashamed” of the current leadership of their organization for allowing their national headquarters to be used for political agenda.

Outgoing IBP national president Abdiel Dan Fajardo claimed that they too were caught off guard by Advincula’s appearance in their office.

Minutes before Advincula’s press conference, Fajardo faced the media and said a group of nuns referred the supposed whistle-blower to them for possible legal assistance.

But the IBP later on turned down the request because of the group’s non-partisan policy. – With Alexis Romero, Christina Mendez