Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Pampanga Chapter 2021 - 2023 Term Report

INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES PAMPANGA CHAPTER 2021 - 2023 TERM REPORT

SULU

IntegratedBarofthePhilippinesPampangaChapter2021-2023

TermReport

CapitolCompound,Sto.Nino, CityofSanFernando,Pampanga

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Copyright © 2023

ABOUT THE COVER

The word “Sulu” means light in the Kapampangan language while the “Parul” or lantern is the traditional Christmas ornament made famous by the people of Pampanga.Botharesymbolismsofthehope that light brings, the same hope that the legal profession gives to those seeking justice and in a broader sense to the community through the different chapters of theIntegratedBarofthePhilippines.

BOARD OF OFFICERS

PRESIDENT SECRETARY

AUDITORP.R.O.

TREASURER Joy C. AranasJovi Ann R. AtinajaArnel D. Berato

DIRECTORDIRECTORDIRECTOR

Marjorie B. PanaliganDaryl G. LiangcoVincent Joseph T. Encarnacion

Ponciano V. Dela Cruz Jr.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pampanga Chapter 2021 - 2023

Miguelito S. Pama

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT DIRECTOR DIRECTOR Rosseler T. Logronio

PRESIDENT'S NOTE

As I marked the tenth year of my service as an officer of IBP Pampanga Chapter in 2021, destiny had it that I would lead the more than one thousand members of the chapter after a hotly contested election.

This Presidency was never planned similar to my unexpected arrival in the province in 2007. For how would anyone expect that a Pangasinan born and raised and Baguio City educated public attorney would one day serve as President of a Hall of Fame Best IBP Chapter in the Philippines?

The months leading to the Presidency were among the hardest times I had to endure. I was overwhelmed by self-doubt and insecurity. I even lost weight as I was losing appetite as election day drew nearer.

Despite it all, the votes and support were truly overwhelming come February 27, 2021. All my self-doubts and insecurities vanished into thin air once the election committee sealed my win and the rest of the board of officers for term 2021-2023.

The following pages are testament to the collective efforts from officers, members and supporters to continue to bring IBP Pampanga Chapter to greater heights despite establishing itself as the best. We continued our core value to CARE, EDUCATE and INNOVATE. We continued to be the best despite the setbacks brought about by the pandemic.

As term 2021-2023 comes to an end, thank you to all of you who made this journey a truly remarkable experience.

WHILE SOC WAS BORN IN PANGASINAN, HE CHOSE TO PRACTICE AND STAY IN PAMPANGA. HIS ELECTION IS PROOF THAT PLACE OF BIRTH IS NO ACCIDENT; BUT PLACE OF SERVICE IS A CHOICE

IBP - PAMPANGA '21 - 23 Board of Officers

SEE PAGE 4

Our journey began with a virtual oath taking through ZOOM for the newly elected officers during the heightened health protocols and restrictions in April 2021. The virtual platform set the tone for the activities of the chapter for rest of 2021 and 2022, in particular the highly anticipated and well-attended webinar series on the following topics:

● Updates on the New Corporate Tax under Create Act ● Pandemic Related Issuances and Issues on Labor ● Legal and Social Construct of Psychological Incapacity ● Decoding Online Crimes for Non-Techie Lawyers ● Basic Guide to Estate Tax Amnesty Law ● The Philippine Lemon Law ● Taxation of Social Media Influencers ● Issues and Termination of Employees in the time of COVID-19 ● Anti-VAWC Law ● How to Get your Money Back thru Small Claims ● SSS Benefits, Investments, Web Application & Online Filing of Applications ● Cross-Examination Best Practices ● Practice Tips on How to Get Foreign Divorce Decrees & Laws, Apostilles ● Safe Spaces Act (Anti-Bastos Law) • DEPED Child Protection Policy ● Exploring Judicial & Administrative Remedies for Erroneous Entries in Civil Registry Documents ● Lawyers’ Personal Safety and Security Training ●

The online platform allowed the chapter to share these webinars to more than 2,000 participants here and abroad with the lectures on Practice Tips on How to Get Foreign Divorce Decrees & Laws, Apostilles by Atty. Jun Bautuista, our California based member, Exploring Judicial & Administrative Remedies for Erroneous Entries in Civil Registry Documents by Atty. Marco Polo Cunanan being and Basic Guide to Estate Tax Amnesty Law by Dean Christine Elveña being the most attended webinars with almost 300 participants each.

By May of 2021, the chapter prioritized the welfare of its members as it started distributing to its members free chapter IDs and car decals for lawyers as Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) to help in the interzonal travels for hearings as well as other urgent concerns of clients. This was a well-received and appreciated initiative of the chapter which was replicated in other jurisdictions.

On July 2, 2021, the chapter with the able help of the Provincial government of Pampanga had its first COVID-19 vaccine roll-out for its members followed by another set in August 2021. Booster shots for lawyers, court, NPS and PAO employees and their families were also administered in time for the celebration of Law Month in September 2022.

MEMBERS

The emphasis on members’ welfare for the term is also highlighted in the continuation of fund-raising for the Peer Assistance Fund. A total of P200,000 from the proceeds of the chapter’s July 2021 online MCLE was allocated for this purpose. Almost the same amount has been released in total for peer assistance to the family of deceased members as well as assistance for those with health concerns. An additional P200,000 was raised through voluntary donations and distributed to members needing medical assistance in particular those affected by the COVID-19 virus.

The chapter also found a new partner and ally in First Line Healthcare Diagnostic Center as it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) for 20% discounts for all lawyers and their family members for all services. Enrollment for a group health insurance with CareHealth Plus was also undertaken.

With the easing of health and community restrictions, the chapter conducted its first Kapihan Kumustahan at Kuwentuhan on June 25, 2022 at Fortune Seafood Restaurant to touch base once again to its senior members who have been among the most affected by the effects of the health pandemic.

FOR THE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNIT

The chapter is proud to have helped the Aeta community in Sitio target on a more transcendental nature as it conducted another “Saup Kareng Katutubu (Offsite Birth Registration)” which helped 130 individuals have their births registered through the efforts also of the local civil registrar of Angeles City. The event was part of the bigger Legal Aid Caravan project together with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative.

Aside from the birth registration, the chapter also facilitated the application and payment for the PSA issued birth certificate of 50 school aged katutubos.

The chapter also became a conduit for the generosity of its members and supporters when Typhoon Odette hit many of the southern part of the Philippines. With over P100,00 raised from voluntary donations, this was distributed to IBP Cebu, IBP Cebu City, IBP Negros Occidental, IBP Leyte and IBP Agusan del Sur to augment their individual relief operations in their localities. The chapter also donated cash to the water purification project of IBP PPLM Chapter in Bohol and Agusan.

On the local level, our members and and friends helped us successfully conduct a Christmas gift-giving to 300 aeta families of Sitio Target, Sapangbato, Angeles City by sponsoring their Christmas gift packs thru a Raffle Bonanza. The chapter also helped the community in upgrading and rehabilitating its water system, ensuring that our indigenous brothers and sisters enjoy their right to safe and potable drinking water.

Law Month 2021 celebrated in September also allowed the chapter to join forces with IBP Central Luzon Region in setting up a Community Pantry Para sa Katutubo also in the aeta community of Sitio Target.

On July 2, 2022, the chapter had the rare opportunity to join the medical, dental and legal outreach conducted by the office of the Chief Justice of the Philippines also to the Aeta community in Sitio Target.

Several other food and gift-giving activities were conducted to the communities affected by lockdown restrictions in Guagua, Pampanga and the isolated coastal communities in Masantol and Macabebe, Pampanga.

PROJECTS PARTNER'S TESTIMONIAL

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) expresses its utmost gratitude to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for their continued support. For several years, ABA ROLI has worked together with the IBP to expand access to justice and advance the rule of law in the Philippines. Our projects would not have been such a resounding success without the invaluable time and effort provided by the IBP’s dedicated leaders and volunteer lawyers.

ABA ROLI is currently implementing the Access to Justice and Support for the Rule of Law (ACCESS) project in the with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This project, which includes ABA ROLI’s partnership with the IBP and its local chapters to carry out legal aid caravans (LACs) for disadvantaged groups across the Philippines, has assisted in more than 5,200 cases and issues.

On 17 November 2022, ABA ROLI was proud to partner with the IBP Pampanga Chapter, led by its President, Atty. Socrates Padua, in delivering the 19th LAC in Sitio Target, Sapangbato, Angeles, Pampanga. Through the tireless efforts of the Chapter, the LAC served 145 indigenous persons (IPs) from the Aeta Mag Ansti Community, 111 of whom are women. In this event, 9 volunteer lawyers rendered legal consultations and notarial services. ABA ROLI appreciates the importance of the ongoing partnership among IBP Pampanga, the Philippines Statistics Authority, and the Angeles Local Civil Registry in providing awareness raising to both emphasize the importance of birth registration in enabling people to access basic social services, education, and other benefits.

ABA ROLI was profoundly moved by the initiative and unwavering effort of IBP Pampanga in extending legal assistance to the IP community in Sitio Target. This community’s lack of access to legal services has prevented them from registering many births, which has led to a myriad of other issues. These include the community’s poor access to basic and essential government services such as healthcare, education, and financial services, its challenges in capitalizing on important economic opportunities including formal employment, and its exclusion from social safety net programs. Through the recent LAC, ABA ROLI and the IBP Pampanga Chapter provided valuable opportunities for birth registration and the correction of birth certificates through notarial services, issuance of affidavits, and assistance from partner organizations.

The continued partnership of the chapter with the Angeles City Lawyers’ League allowed us to turn-over 12 wall fans for court users at the Angeles City Hall of Justice, give Christmas cheers to security and maintenance personnel of the hall of justice, turnover hygiene kits and food packs to 49 children of Duyan ni Maria Shelter for Children. Fifty sacks of rice were also turned over to the PDLs of the Angeles City BJMP.

The chapter also found a new ally in the Commission on Human Rights Region III as it solidified its partnership with the government institution in the conduct of Legal Clinic Caravans, Community-based Dialogue and Referral of Cases. The partnership for the term 2021-2023 culminated in two (2) recognitions from the CHR for the chapter as its Regional Gender Ombud Partner in advancing gender equality and women’s human rights during the term of the5th Commission. Accordingly, the IBP Pampanga was again granted a KAKAMPI Award in December 2022 for its unending support to the Commission.

PROJECTS PARTNER'S TESTIMONIAL

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)Regional Office III recognizes the contribution of the officers and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines(IBP)Pampanga Chapter in the protection and promotion of human rights of all persons and in providing preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable.

The collaboration and partnership between the CHR Region III and IBP-Pampanga Chapter have been consistently and fruitfully cohesive, through Legal Clinic Caravans, Community-based Dialogue and Referral of Cases, that served “Kampapangans” in need of legal protection and remedy.

This Office also acknowledges the commitment of the IBP-Pampanga Chapter in the full implementation of Safe Spaces Act, and in empowering women and persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, through the seminars and training we conducted for local government units in Pampanga.

In fact, the IBP Pampanga was conferred with a CHR Gender Ombud Kakampi Award, in recognition as Regional Gender Ombud Partner in advancing gender equality and women’s human rights during the term of the 5th Commission. Accordingly, the IBP Pampanga was again granted a KAKAMPI Award in December 2022 for its unending support to the Commission.

With this, the CHR Region III calls for the continuous strengthening of such strong ties for the equitable, and sustainable communities that respect, protect and fulfill the human rights and dignity of all.

The family of the late Atty. Adelaido Rivera also joined the chapter in giving 20 sacks of rice to the PDLs of the BJMP City of San Fernando, Pampanga during the birth and death anniversary of Tang Eddie.

The chapter’s volunteers also joined the call of the IBP National for its Abogado Para sa Botanteng Pilipino project. A hotline was established for voters to call in concerns about voting issues. The same assistance was extended to volunteers from the PPCRV.

Our partnership with the City Legal Office of San Fernando, Pampanga for the conduct of Barangay Legal Outreach which was started in the year 2019 continued until this term. Quarterly lectures on different laws were conducted at the activity center of Waltermart, City of San Fernando, Pampanga that catered to barangay officials, lupon members and students from the different barangays of the city.

The local government of Mexico, Pampanga continued to be a vital partner in extending services to the community during the term. Volunteer members conducted a free legal aid activity at the Pandacaqui Resettlement Area, Mexico, Pampanga on September 28, 2022 as part of the celebration of Law Month 2022.

The MCLE series has helped the chapter to generate funds for its projects as well as the continuing repairs and renovation of the chapter office. A total of P100,000 scholarship grant was also turned-over to Tarlac State University School of Law to recognize the efforts of the institutioninhelpingthechapter conducttheMCLE.

Aside from the series of webinars of the chapter, the biggest education project of the chapter as been the conduct of four (4) Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) through the online platform in July 2021 and January, March and July 2022 in partnership with Tarlac State University with over 800 participants, with some coming from abroad. Its first in-person MCLE was also successfully conducted on January 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2023 at WIDUS Hotel, Clarkfield,Pampanga.

PROJECTS PARTNER'S TESTIMONIAL

DR. JOSE I. DELA RAMA JR . DCL

Dean, Tarlac State University - School of Law

As IBP Pampanga wraps up its term , it has been a pleasure and honor partnering with them in their MCLE activities by allowing the faculty members to showcase their talents and expertise in their chosen subjects.

We cannot forget the generosity it has extended our school when its president, Atty Socrates Adan Padua and his board of officers had set aside substantial amount for our scholarship and legal aid projects to finance their needs.

They always give priority to education so the chapter can help produce lawyers in the future. True to their motto, “we educate, we care and we innovate”

The chapter also actively participated in the 2021 and 2022 Bar Examinations with its Bar Hopes Pre-Bar Lecture Series for future abogados that ran through the weekends of August 2021 and October 2022. Many of the participants to the lecture series eventually emerged victorious and later on signedupaschaptermembers.

PROJECT PARTNER'S TESTIMONIAL

TSU SCHOOL OF LAW

Student Council and Centralized Bar CommitteeOperations

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pampanga Chapter has always been an integral part of the Tarlac State University School of Law’s success. With both institutions being in a rather symbiotic relationship over the years, the state law school received the overwhelming support of the chapter and the efforts of the school, through its student government, likewise turned the gears on some of the chapter’s most impressive activities.

Having collaborated with the Chapter, it has given the student government the financial and strategic support or collaboration to generate income for its activities through projects like shirt merchandise sales. Likewise, it has been a generous sponsor in blasting off the academic year 2022-2023 with the annual general orientation and launching the Pre-bar Lecture Series that have prepared the school’s bar examinees in the years 2020/2021 and 2022.

The Chapter has shown to us its unfettered dedication to its advocacy of supporting the growth and creation of new generations of lawyers that will serve the country and one day hail the IBP.

Other legal education projects comprising of free legal consultation, notarization of documents and lectures were also conducted in Don Bosco Academy Pampanga and in the municipalitiesofMexicoandMacabebe,Pampanga.

IBP - PAMPANGA 1ST GAD BALL

March 26, 2022 at Oasis

Hotel, Angeles City

SEE PAGE 32

WE INNOVATEINNOEINNOVATE VATEINNOVATEI TEINNOVATEINNINNOV INNOVATE IN

Aside from making leaps in the conduct of MCLE and legal education projects, the chapter also innovated in different aspectsofservice.

The launch of Bar Hopes project in 2021 ushered an opportunity for members to help future abogados by notarizing their petitions to take the Bar examinations as well asgivingtheexamineespeptalkpriorthebarexaminations.

THE BAR HOPES FREE NOTARIZATION PROJECT WAS A BIG HELP FOR ME SINCE I HAD NO SOURCE OF INCOME DURING THOSE TIMES WHEN I WAS STILL PREPARING FOR THE BAR EXAMS.

ASIDE FROM THAT, I ALSO RECEIVED ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE LAWYER WHO NOTARIZED MY DOCUMENTS.

We also innovated on how we were to conduct a gathering for the chapter when we held our Virtual Assembly and Kumustahan on September 25, 2021 via Zoom. The event was also an opportunity to recognize the latest appointees and other achievers from the chapter. A raffle draw was also a highlight oftheevent.

A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE

ATTY. RAYMOND TITO TICMAN BBE Lawyer

The path to becoming a lawyer demands a lot not only from one’s intellectual capacity. Concerning the bar exam, there were further documentary requirements to be completed. And the pandemic made this task more challenging as we considered also our mental and physical well-being.

In that regard, I would like to commend Atty. Mycarol Bondoc-Beltran for assisting me in having my documents notarized as part of the requirements that the Supreme Court needed. In fact, she was even the one who messaged me if I already had my petition notarized.

After having the same done, she surprised me by saying it was FREE as part of IBP’s Bar Hopes Project. Her kindness was a refreshing breeze during those times of difficulty and uncertainty brought by the pandemic. With that, I am very thankful to both the IBP Pampanga Chapter and Atty. Mycarol.

BOOK SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT (REACHING OUT TO FUTURE KAPAMPANGAN LAWYERS)

SEE PAGE 41

The chapter also held its 1st GAD (Gender and Development) Ball on March 26, 2022 at Oasis Hotel, Angeles City to gather support for the projects of the chapter’s GAD committee projects while participantsalsosocializedintheirglitzyandglamorousattire.

A MEMBER'S TESTIMONIAL

ATTY. MARK ANTHONY MANUEL

GAD Committee - IBP

Pampanga

Our partnership with the community has been a valuable asset for IBP Pampanga. Not only has it allowed us to expand our reach, but it has also given us the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community.

Through Gender and Development (GAD) projects and community outreach programs, we have been able to empower Kapampangan families, women and the LGBT+ community. One of the most notable accomplishments of our partnership with the community has been the success of our gift-giving programs in far-flung barangays, particularly the Island Barangay of Nigui, Masantol, Pampanga. I believe that our sincere effort to reach and help them has had a significant impact on the organization because it sends a signal that lawyers will reach them no matter how far they are.

With our GAD projects and seminars, we have been able to provide access to justice for women and our LGBT+ brothers and sisters who would otherwise be unable to afford it. I hope that these efforts would allow beneficiaries to resolve legal issues that were holding them back, such as domestic violence and bullying. By educating the community, we have been able to empower individuals to make informed decisions.

Overall, these projects have been a rewarding and fulfilling experience for IBP Pampanga. We look forward to continuing to serve and make a positive impact on our brothers and sisters tomorrow and beyond.

The results of the Best Bar Ever saw an unprecedented increase in membership of the chapter. The newest members were given welcome gifts of chapter coffee mugs and sign pens. This was followed by an Online Orientation or Zoomustahan with talks from seasoned lawyers and a grand raffle for a lucky participant who willenjoyanall-expensepaidtriptoVietnam.

After more than a decade, the chapter was finally able to hold another Bench and Bar Dialogue via the online platform in celebration ofLawMonth2021and2022.Invitedtotheevent were judges, public prosecutors as well as labor arbiters in order to discuss concerns affecting thedispensationofjustice.

The celebration the National Correctional Consciousness Week in October 2021 was also an innovation from the chapter as relatives of PDLs of the BJMP City of San Fernando District Jail were able to have a free E-Dalaw Service at the newly designated Online Hearing and Conference room as in-person visitations were still not allowed. Food packs were also distributed to the visitors if only to ease a bit of the burden causedbytheincarcerationoftheirformerbreadwinners. E-DALAW October 2021

The chapter also broadened its legal aid network by entering into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Don Honorio Ventura State (DHVSU) University School of Law. Theagreementwillallowthelegalaid committeetoassistintheclinicallegal aid program of the school of law and the creation of a future DHVSU Legal Clinic.

The May 2022 elections was also a great opportunity for lawyers to give back as the chapter supported the IBP National initiative “Abogado Para sa Botanteng Pilipino) where volunteer lawyers gave ready legal assistance not only to concerns of voters on election day but also to volunteers from the PPCRV and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections(LENTE).

A FRIEND'S MESSAGE

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cagayan Chapter found an ally and supporter in IBP Pampanga President Atty. Socrates A. Padua.

In September of 2021, our Chapter ventured on conducting, for the first time an Online MCLE Course for our members. There were a lot of challenges that we had to encounter but through the help and guidance of President Soc, we were able to hurdle these challenges. I merely knew him as President Soc who is one of the most active Presidents in the Presidents’ GC. Through the GC, I saw him to be amiable and approachable. My first impression of him was not wrong. When we were encountering some concerns with regard the conduct of our MCLE, he was literally one phone call away and he immediately agreed to meet with our Chapter’s Board of Officers to help us thresh out our concerns. Our MCLE Online Course was a success and we owe a big part of that success to him.

Our correspondence albeit virtual did not stop when our MCLE Online Course was finished. We eventually became close friends and he was always there for me to

extend help, whether big or small. He is supportive in all of our Chapter’s causes. He extended his generosity to us when I offered to sell him raffle tickets, one of the Chapter’s Fund-raising activities. More than Chapter affairs, he became my confidant and trusted friend.

The Chapter was very honored and privileged when he came to Cagayan, to join us in our Presidents’ Ball last December 10, 2022. But we will never forget how, instead of resting after traveling from Pampanga, he chose to come with us to Calassitan, Sto. Nino, Cagayan, where we conducted our Legal Aid Caravan in an aeta community, the Agay Tribe. Dedicated, committed, passionate, goal-oriented. These are some of the words that would perfectly describe President Soc and I could go on and use all the words in the dictionary to describe him. But if there is a word that would describe how I feel about him, I can only think of one. GRATEFUL.

President Soc, IBP Pampanga found a rare gem in you. As I always say, you are one of the best presidents in our batch. Congratulations on a very successful term. The next President of your Chapter will literally and figuratively be left with big shoes to fill. Mabuhay ka!

The proceeds of the various MCLE programs allowed us to set aside the amount of P100,000 as seed fund for our law scholarship project for qualified Kapampangan students. Even as we were finalizing the guidelines for the scholarship, chapter member Atty. Rohan Medina donated the amount of P20,000 to benefit freshmen students of the newly opened School of Law of the Don Honorio VenturaSchoolofLaw.

Three students, Kevin Yumul, Donna Mae Pasarita and Mhegan Sanchez, were chosen

B O O K S C H O L A R S H I P

A rippling effect followed the generosity of Atty. Medina, as three other members gave anonymous donations amounting to P45,000. Thus, additional cash gifts for books were given to Jeric Amor Villanueva and Viner Santos of Tarlac State University School of Law and Ma. Jasmin Angela Atencion and Emma May Mañalac of DHVSU Law. Four other law students will also receive cash gifts for theirbooks. The book scholarship project is indeed a most fitting end-term project as the chapter helps charter the course of future IBP Pampanga members.

TESTIMONIALS FROM BOOK SCHOLARS

MA. JASMIN ANGELA S. ATENCION

JD I-Beta

DHVSU School of Law

I would like to express my immense gratitude for choosing me as a beneficiary of your book scholarship program. It means a lot as I have recently decided to resign from work to focus on my law studies. I will put my heart and soul in studying so that in the future I may become a worthy member of the IBP Pampanga Chapter and pass on the blessings given to me by the organization.

May you continue to aid, inspire, and be a beacon of hope for future Kapampangan lawyers. I pray that you carry on being a blessing to others and wish you more power. I will never forget your support and kindness. Again, thank sou so much IBP Pampanga Chapter.

VINER SANTOS

3rd year Juris Doctor

Tarlac

State University School of Law

To the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pampanga Chapter and to the book scholarship donor, I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for your generous donation to help me with my journey.

I would definitely pay it forward while I am in the process of achieving my dream and most definitely once I have successfully passed the bar exams and become a lawyer.

More power and may God bless us all.

Atty Socrates A. Padua