CEBU, Philippines — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu Chapter has bagged the highest award of Most Outstanding IBP Chapter in Category A for Region 7, during the 17th National Convention of Lawyers last month.
Mundlyn Misal-Martin, former IBP Cebu Chapter president, who received the award last May 28 at the Iloilo Convention Center, said this is proof that their officers as well as members are performing well.
It has been 14 years since their last award.
Misal believes what won them the award, aside from active community work, was their organizing the Trial Academy, which is a first in the Philippines.
“IBP Cebu Chapter and the composition of the 23rd Board makes it unique. For services to the members, the Trial Academy was established and was considered the first in the entire country; the Legal Aid program and partnerships with different organizations as well as the judiciary,” she said.
The Trial Academy has been replicated by the Leyte Chapter. There is also a move by the Quezon Chapter to replicate it, Misal said.
The Trial Academy teaches it enrollees everything that happens inside and outside the courtroom, including but not limited to how to dress properly, how to behave in the courtroom, how to face clients, how to argue in court, as well as the proper etiquette, among others.
Both 2017 and 2018 batches were happy with the project, Misal said. Now, she said their graduates are now fully equipped to do their job as lawyers.
The Trial Academy Board is composed of herself, Alice Morada, former deputy assistant in the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas Virginia Palanca Santiago, former trial court judge Meinrado Paredes, Atty. Democrito Barcenas, and retired chief justice Hilario Davide Jr.
Misal said at the end of every two-year term they are required to submit their report before the IBP National. That report will be the basis of the IBP National in giving awards, she added.
“IBP Cebu Province as the Most Outstanding IBP Chapter in Category A (chapters with 500 or more members) for its exemplary performance and significant contribution to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines,” the award read.
Aside from the Trial Academy project, the IBP Cebu Chapter also organized a campaign against bullying.
“The school-to-school campaign against bullying gives importance to the future generation of this country by making them equipped with knowledge of the law to help themselves as to what’s not to do and what to do,” Misal said.
With the similar direction, cooperation, and trust, she said she believes 2021 will be a great year for IBP Cebu, under the leadership of Atty. Ria Espina, the president of the 24th board. — BRP (FREEMAN)