REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
SUPREME COURT
MANILA
EN BANC
In Re: Letter of Atty. Manuel J. Laserna Jr. Bar Matter No. 1696
Re: Campaign to Introduce Certain Amendments
To Rule 139-A and the IBP Charter and By-Laws.
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R E P L Y
THE UNDERSIGNED proponent of structural, policy and program reforms in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), in compliance with the Resolution, dated April 14, 2009, a copy of which he received on May 22, 2009, respectfully states:
1. On March 23, 2009, the IBP filed a COMPLIANCE, dated March 20, 2009, stating, inter alia, that it would include the discussion of the reforms subject matter of this matter in the IBP National Convention of Lawyers held on March 26-28, 2009 in Bacolod City; that it intended to sound out the members of the IBP chapters; that radical IBP reforms should start from the grassroots level, not imposed by the Court; and that it agreed with the undersigned that IBP chapter representatives and consultants from law NGOs and law schools be invited to participate in the deliberations of the Supreme Court Committee
on Bar Matters in connection with the proposed reforms and other related matters.
2. Without attributing anything negative, the undersigned proponent was gratified when he received a copy of the said IBP Compliance, after almost two (2) years of failure on its part to comment on the matter.
At least, this matter is now moving.
3. On April 24, 2009, the undersigned received a copy of a MANIFESTATION, dated Apr9l 17, 2009, of the IBP, with a copy of the Agenda of the IBP board meeting held on March 26, 2009 in Bacolod City, stating, inter alia, that this matter was not discussed during the said board meeting for lack of time.
It assured the Court that the matter shall be included in the agenda of the IBP board meeting on May 15, 2009, which was last week.
4. The IBP charter (circa 1970s) and Rule 139-A (circa 1980s) must be radically and genuinely reformed and updated by the Court, in consultation with the IBP and the major local Voluntary Bar Associations in various towns, cities and provinces, such as the Las Pinas City Bar Association, which the undersigned founded in Mach 2001, to be truly relevant to the common lawyers and the basic sectors in the field, in the interest of more effectively uniting and inspiring the legal professionals working in dire straits in the farthest rural areas and in the interest of more courageously promoting the rule of law and the administration of justice in the poverty-stricken and oppression-infected barangays of the country.
5. The IBP must commit itself to beneficial, realistic, and modern structural, policy and program reforms, guided by the wisdom of the Court, if it desires to be truly loyal to its institutional objectives and to be relevant to the chaotic Philippine society and its confused, demoralized and poverty-burdened peasants, laborers, and middle class.
As a respected and noble social institution, the IBP must move with wisdom and speed, under the enlightened shepherding of the Court.
WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the IBP be ordered to submit an updated Compliance-Report covering the discussions by the IBP board of the reforms proposed in this pending matter and as well as all other relevant IBP reforms it may creatively and comprehensively explore, within 10 days from receipt of such order.
Further, it is respectfully prayed that the IBP be given a deadline of until the end of the third quarter of this year to complete its grassroots-level consultations and to submit its Report-Recommendations to the Court, for immediate study by the Supreme Court Committee on Bar Matters and for subsequent final discussion and approval by the Court En Banc.
Las Pinas City, May 22, 2009.
MANUEL J. LASERNA JR.
Proponent of IBP Reforms
Roll No. 33640, 4/27/85
IBP Lifetime Member No. 1907
IBP PPLM Chapter
PTR 9400055, 1/5/07, Las Pinas
MCLE Compliance No. III-0002280
Cc:
Dean. PACIFICO AGABIN
Atty. RODOLFO URBIZTONDO
Current Counsel for the
Integrated Bar of the Phils.
IBP Bldg., Dona Julia Vargas Ave.
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Reg. Rec. No.
Date PO
Atty. Hector Hofilena
and Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka
Past Counsel for the
Integrated Bar of the Phils.
IBP Bldg., Dona Julia Vargas Ave.
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Reg. Rec. No.
Date PO
Atty. Ma. Cristina Layusa
Bar Confidant
Supreme Court
Manila
Reg. Rec. No.
Date PO
Atty. MELVYN LAGASCA
And Atty. HILDA CLAVE
Current Chairman and President
Las Pinas City Bar Assn Inc.
74 Dama de Noche St.
Rainbow Village
Talon 5, Las Piñas City
Atty. Antonio Manzano
Past Chairman, Las Piñas City
Bar Assn
And Current Director, IBP PPLM Chapter
E. Pascual St. corner M. Yllana St.
BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City
File
EXPLANATION
A copy hereof is served on the IBP counsel and the Bar Confidant by registered mail due to the lack of personnel of undersigned party and the distance of the offices of the aforementioned parties to that of the undersigned party.
Manuel J. Laserna Jr.
