THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Philippine Bar Association (PBA)

2010-2011

MARIA TERESITA C. SISON GO

Tempus fugit!  How time flies!  Wasn’t it just yesterday that I took my  oath  as President of the Philippine Bar Association, (PBA), the oldest (120  years  and  still  counting)  and  premier  voluntary organization of lawyers in the Philippines?

 

Annual Law Day Celebration

 

The PBA celebrated the annual Law Day on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Then newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes P. Aranal Sereno was PBA’s Inducting Officer and Guest Speaker at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Intercontinental. Justice Meilou, cum laude and class valedictorian of U.P. College of Law class 1984, is a recipient of numerous awards  and  author  of  various  publications  in  the  field  of  law and economics.  In her speech, she discussed her viewpoints on the birthing and nurturing of courage. She compared courage to a seed that is planted when a decision to do right is made. The well attended gathering was graced by members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished members of the bench and bar.

 

Incorporation of PBA, Inc.

 

On March 3, 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the registration of the Articles of Incorporation of the Philippine Bar Association, Inc. Its fundamental objectives are as follows: a) to foster a more  active  fellowship  and  comradeship  among lawyers; b) to uphold the dignity  and  ethics  of  the  legal  profession;  c) to participate in the maintenance in the Philippines of a strong, upright and fearless judiciary; d) to contribute to the general welfare of the Filipino people by employing every  means  possible to secure for them a government truly of laws and e) to assist in the establishment  of  progressive  legislation  and jurisprudence.

 

Though my incumbency coincided with the rebirth of the PBA to PBA, Inc. this association continues to stand up to be counted.  It remains vigilant in its commitment to elevating the standards of the legal profession. Not only does it adhere to the rule of law, it continues to take an active role in the nation’s progress and transformation.

                                               

PBA Statement on the Show Cause Order

 

In November, 2010, the PBA issued a statement on the Show Cause  Order by the Supreme  Court.  “The Philippine Bar Association has established a tradition of taking a firm stand on crucial and significant issues that threaten to erode the people’s faith in, and respect for the rule of law. In  keeping  with  this tradition, the Philippine Bar Association fully and strongly supported the 37 members of the Faculty of the U.P. College of Law who  were ordered by the Supreme Court to show cause why they should not be ‘disciplinarily  dealt  with’  for  having  issued  a  Statement  entitled “Restoring  Integrity.” The Philippine Bar Association called on the Supreme Court  to  exercise  judicial  restraint  in  the  administrative  case  it instituted  as  complainant  against the 37 professors of the UP College of Law.”

Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. Luncheon Fellowship

 

On Wednesday, November 17, 2010, we had the first of a number of luncheon fellowships at the Fairways Room, Manila Golf & Country Club. His Excellency Harry K. Thomas, Jr., U.S. Ambassador paid homage to a group of heroes in the Philippine justice system – the witnesses in human trafficking cases. In his speech, he encouraged the PBA to band together and to lobby for more positive changes such as enforcement of the speedy trial law and to form working groups that will advocate stronger protection of witnesses

           

PBA Christmas Party

 

The PBA Christmas Party of the PBA officers, trustees, advisers and past presidents was held on Wednesday, December 2010, at the 4th Floor, Jose B. L. Reyes Hall at the IBP Building. It was a night of fun, games and merrymaking, with sumptuous food.

 

Proposed Revisions on the New Rules of Special Proceedings

 

Upon  solicitation  of  comments by the Supreme Court Subcommittee on the  Revision  of  the  Rules  on Special Proceedings, chaired by Associate Justice  Antonio  Eduardo  B.  Nachura,  the  PBA  submitted  the  written recommendations  prepared  by Jack Jimenez, Chair of Legislation and Law  Reforms  Committee, and Kenny H. Tantuico on the topics of the custody of  children,  constitution  of  family  home,  conjugal  partnership, extra-judicial  settlement,  compensation, for executors/administrators and habeas corpus.

                                   

Proposed Amendments on Constitutional Provisions

 

The Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives under the chairmanship of Congressman Loreto Leo S. Ocampo also sought the views and comments of the PBA. The PBA adopted the proposed amendments of Jack Jimenez on the constitutional provisions on the National Patrimony and Economy with specific reference to treaty obligations and protection of Filipino enterprises.

 

Secretary Leila De Lima Luncheon Fellowship

 

Secretary Leila De Lima of the Department of Justice, was PBA’s second luncheon speaker on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. She reiterated in her speech that the PBA did not “restrain its tongue” on those occasions that mattered. “Vigilance and tenacity spurred by conscience”, exemplified the PBA. In an unprecedented move, Secretary Leila took her oath as PBA member right there and then after delivering her speech.

 

Turn Over of Homes to Beneficiaries of GK PBA Village

 

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, we turned over homes to 52 awardees at the Gawad  Kalinga  Philippine Bar Association Village located in the municipality of Pateros. This particular project was initiated under the stewardship of PBA President Jose A. Feria, Jr. (2007-2008).   On Thursday, 18 December 2007, the groundbreaking ceremony of aforesaid village took place on the lot donated by the municipality of Pateros. Through the generosity of various individuals and corporations, the 52 houses were constructed and completed. 

 

Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga Luncheon Fellowship

 

We conducted  the luncheon fellowship on  Tuesday, March  29,  2011 at the Fairways Room, Manila Golf and Country Club  with Honorable  Cayetano  W. Paderanga, Jr., Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning and  Director-General  of  the  National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). He spoke on investments in strategic infrastructure by Public-Private Partnerships. Francis Ed Lim gave his insights on the topic as reactor.

 

Proposed Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Law

 

Upon the request of Senator Teofisto Guingona III, Chairman Sub-Committee Anti-Money Laundering Law Amendments and Oversight Committee on  Anti-Money  Laundering  Law,  the  PBA suggested the following proposed amendments:  a)  that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) shall act by majority  vote in the discharge of its functions; b) that section 10 should be  amended by restoring the original version before the law’s amendment by Republic  Act  No. 9194, wherein the AMLC is authorized to freeze a deposit or  account;  and  c) that Section 11 of the law be amended by omitting the phrase “upon order of any competent court.”

 

Sixth PBA Golf Cup

 

With the intentions to raise more funds and to encourage camaraderie among lawyers, the PBA held its 6th PBA Cup on Friday, 13 May 2011 at the Sta. Elena Golf Club.  Many  thanks  to the generous support of the golf  sponsors  and  prize  donors  as  well  as  the active participation of the golfers;  the  golf  tournament was a super success. The PBA garnered a net revenue of more than P900,000.00. I acknowledge the noteworthy recommendations  and  efforts of the Golf Invitational Committee with Roger Nicandro, as  Chairperson,  Reggie  Angangco, Co-Chair; Rico de Guzman and King  Reyno, Chair  and  Co-Chair  respectively  of  the Ways  and  Means Committee;  Raul  Paras,  Chair  of  the Public Issues and Public Relations Committee; Tercy Villaruz and Wilma Cua, members of the Golf Invitational  Committee.

 

120^th Foundation Day Celebration

 

The Philippine Bar Association commemorated its 120th Foundation Day on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 at the McKinley Room at the Manila Polo Club  with  Vice  President Jejomar C. Binay as our guest of honor and speaker. Holding the highest position of A lawyer in the land, Vice President Binay  stressed  that “the real challenge to us lawyers, and indeed all our citizens, then is not simply to do whatever is not prohibited or illegal or to  choose  the  lesser  evil,  but  always  and  everywhere  to do what is genuinely good, and what will increase the level and scope of excellence in our  individual  lives,  as  well  as  in the collective social life of our people.”

 

                        Representation in the Criminal Code Committee

 

When the Criminal Code Committee was created by the Department ofJustice (DOJ), the PBA sought representation with aforesaid committee. Upon the acquiescence of the DOJ, the PBA nominated Trustees Pope Solis and Rodel Cruz as its representatives.  Both were also authorized to choose their own respective representatives during the scheduled committee meetings.

 

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales Luncheon Fellowship

 

During my last luncheon fellowship as PBA President on Wednesday, 24 August 2011, we had the privilege of having as our guest of honor and speaker, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, a former Supreme Court Associate Justice.  She proved to be a crowd drawer at our venue, the Fairways Room, the Manila Golf and Country Club. Justice Chit Carpio Morales voiced out her plans as the new Ombudsman of the Philippines.

 

Transfer of Condominium Title

 

The transfer of the Condominium Certificate of Title from the Philippine Bar Association to the Philippine Bar Association, Inc. is currently underway.  The required capital gains tax, documentary stamp tax and transfer tax have been fully paid.  At this point, we are awaiting the Register of Deeds of Makati city to issue the Condominium Certificate of Title under the name of Philippine Bar Association, Inc.

 

PBA Committees

 

The Legal Aid Committee is headed by Bobby Parel as Chair and Benjie Bacorro as Co-Chair. Both of them take responsibility for handling legal aid cases that come PBA’s way. Two months ago, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, sought the assistance of the PBA to provide free legal services to a female Polish citizen, who was detained in a prison cell.  Upon further investigation, it was discovered that she was already represented by counsel. Bobby prepared and sent a detailed report to the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland citing the circumstances of the Polish national.

 

Fina de la Cuesta Tantuico, Co-Chair of the Legal Education & Family Law Committee made representations with the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Office for the renewal of the accreditation of the PBA as a MCLE provider.  This paved the way for PBA to conduct MCLE seminars in the future.

 

PBA Adviser and Chairman of the Information Committee, Tony Velicaria has regularly published the PBA Newsletter during every fellowship luncheon and a special issue on the sixth PBA Golf Cup. The association’s newsletter featured the current guest speakers resume, the speech of the previous luncheon speaker, and relevant news updates.

 

Rita Linda V. Jimeno, past PBA President and Environmental Law Committee Chair reported to the PBA Board that the committee is currently coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), particularly in connection with the DENR’s request for the participation of the Association in the enforcement of the clean air act provisions. The Board agreed to assist the DENR in its preparation of legal forms and provide legal advice as may be necessary.

 

New PBA Members

 

During my presidency, 32 new members joined the PBA ranks.  They are as  follows:  Secretary  of  Justice  Leila  de  Lima, Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez,  IBP  National President Roan I. Libarios, IBP Representative to the  Judicial  and  Bar  Council,  Maria  Milagros N. Fernan Cayosa, NLRC Commissioner  Angelo  Ang  Palaña,  Oscar  L. Karaan, Victor M. Pangilinan, Pancho  G. Umali, Alicia A. Risos-Vidal, Daniel Kendrick T. Tumangan, Elvin Michael  L.  Cruz,  Domingo  Egon Q. Cayosa, Ma. Carla T. Uykim, Richard O. Pascual,  Jose  V. Cabrera, Vladimir B. Bumatay, Celeste Z. Sioson-Bumatay, Aguinaldo  S. Sepnio,  Martin Israel L. Pison, Jesus P. Casila, Orlando A. Aquino, Marcelino G. Aganon, Jr., Sherlyn Y. Ng, Lyman A. Manzanares, Jesse H.  T.  Andres, Ramon Jose F.L. Guerrero, Edgar Dennis A. Padernal, Juan Victor  S. Valdez, Johannes Benjamin R. Bernabe, Manolito A. Manalo, Manuel M. Maramba and Rhea R. Julian.

 

Thanksgiving and Appreciation

 

I express my wholehearted appreciation to all officers, trustees, advisers, committee chairpersons, members and office staff, who actively participated and supported the PBA activities throughout my term of office.

 

I  sincerely thank  my  partners  and associates in my law firm, Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De los Angeles law offices for their wholehearted support and cooperation in the programs of the PBA.

 

I also take this wonderful opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all my advertisers in the Philippine Bar Association 2010 Souvenir Program & Yearbook as well as to the generous hole sponsors and donors in the Sixth PBA Golf Cup. Through these two fundraising projects, we generated a joint net income OF P1.2 Million Pesos for PBA’s coffers.

 

My utmost gratitude goes to my family, who inspired and motivated me to give my best for the PBA.  Credit goes to my Mom, Tessie Cruz Sison, first woman PBA President (1991-1992) and my husband, Romy Lim Go, who lent me their steadfast support, connections and financial resources from the time I WAS elected as PBA President for the term 2010-2011 until the end of my incumbency.  Many Thanks to our three children, Paolo, Carlo and Marla for their understanding and love.  And even if Dad is no longer with us, I would still feel his presence and encouragement in the PBA’s various events.

 

On a final note, I  remain  confident  that  the  Philippine Bar Association under the leadership  of Ronald Olivar “Pope” Solis shall forge ahead in pursuing the same  vision  and  commitment  to  public service that our forbears have held dear to their hearts throughout PBA’s existence.

 

LONG LIVE THE PHILIPPINE BAR ASSOCIATION!