At long last, the national office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), after a long silence, has finally submitted its official comment to my pending petition in the Supreme Court, docketed as Bar Matter No. 1696 (circa 2007), that seeks to institute major reforms in the organizational structure and leadership succession of the IBP nationwide and in the composition, objectives and programs of the IBP House of Delegates. I wish to reproduce the IBP comment in full below.
I am also reproducing below the recent endorsement of the Chief Justice to the IBP national office of my previous letter that seek to adopt as a policy the regular consultation with all local voluntary bar associations nationwide on all future matters, programs and policies that affect the Bar.
Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
BAR MATTER NO.1696
Re: Letter of Atty. Manuel J. Laserna Jr.
Campaign to Introduce Certain Amendment
To Rule 139-A
COMPLIANCE
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), thru the undersigned counsel, in compliance with the resolution of the honorable Court dated February 3, 2009, respectfully files its Comment on the two (2) letters of Atty. Manuel Laserna Jr., as follows:
I. On the Proposed Reforms in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (March 14, 2007 Letter)
1. The proposed reforms in this letter of Atty. Laserna Jr. have been included in the agenda of the IBP National Convention on March 68-28, 2009 in Bacolod City.
2. While we agree with the wisdom of the reforms proposed in his letter of March 14, 2007, it is best that the membership of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines be consulted, as it might be necessary to carve out exceptions to the general rules proposed by Atty. Laserna.
3. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines will inform the Honorable Court of the action taken by the IBP National Convention with regard to the proposals.
II. On the Petition to Amend Rule 139-A of the Rules of Court (Letter of February 28, 2007)
4. This petition will also be referred to the IBP National Convention set for March 26-28, 2009 for comment.
5. The proposal in the petition would restructure the composition of the local IBP Chapters nationwide as presently provided for in the Rules of Court and in the By-Laws of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. This is therefore an urgent need to sound out the members of the IBP Chapters involved.
6. Radical reforms of this nature should be initiated from the grassroots level, instead of coming from the court.
7. In this respect, we adopt the suggestion of the proponent that chapter representatives from the different IBP Regions and external consultants from active law NGOs and law schools be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Supreme Court Committee.
Respectfully submitted.
Pasig City for Manila, March 20, 2009.
INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES
IBP Building
#15 Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center
Pasig City
PACIFICO A. AGABIN
General Counsel
Roll of Attorney No. 16609/06/07/61
IBP Lifetime Member No. 251
PTR No. 1576217/01/12/09/Makati
MCLE Exempt
c/o Agabin Versola Hermoso Law Office
26/F Pacific star Building
Gil Puyat Ave., cor. Makati Avenue
Makati City
Copy furnished:
Atty. Ma. Cristina B. Layusa
Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant
Supreme Court
Manila
Atty. Manuel J. Laserna Jr.
Laserna Cueva-Mercader & Associates Law Offices
Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Ave.
Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City
Atty. Antonio Manzano
Chairman, Las Pinas City Bar Association
Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Ave.
Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City
EXPLANATION
The undersigned counsel respectfully manifests that the forgoing compliance is being served by registered mail due to time constraint and distance between the places of service.
PACIFICO A. AGABIN
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Manila
FROM THE CHAMBERS OF:
Reynato S. Puno
CHIEF JUSTICE
1ST Indorsement
March 23, 2009
Referred to Atty. Feliciano M. Bautista, National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), for appropriate action, the attached letter dated March 16, 2009 received by the Office of the undersigned on March 20, 2009, of Atty. Manuel J. Laserna Jr., Founder and Board Consultant, suggesting that in all major issuances and new policies or activities of the Supreme Court which may affect the Bar, the Voluntary Local Bar Associations nationwide be consulted, in addition to the usual consultation that the Supreme Court makes with the mandatory Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
REYNATO S. PUNO
Copy furnished:
Atty. Manuel J. Laserna Jr.
Las Pinas City Bar Association
Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Avenue
Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City 1743