IBP to fete outstanding lawyers; including new SC justice, impeachment prosecutor

MALOLOS CITY—A member of the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice and newly appointed Supreme Court (SC) associate justice will lead lawyers who will be feted here next week.

Others includes newly promoted Court of Appeals Justice, an executive judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) here and this year’s bar topnotcher who came from Meycauayan City.

Lawyer Ted Villanueva, the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bulacan chapter said recognition of outstanding chapter member encourages other members to excel.

“This will coincide with the reception for our new members and it is a good opportunity to introduce to them members that can be their models,” Villanueva said.

Among the outstanding members of the IBP-Bulacan that will be feted are Associate Justice Estela Bernabe who was promoted to the SC after serving Makati RTC.

Bernabe hailed from Plaridel town and a sister of Lawyer Zoilo Perlas, the Regional Director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Luzon.

Villanueva said that Lawyer Renato Samonte, former IBP-Bulacan chapter president will also be feted for being a member of the prosecution team in the impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renator Corona.

He said that it was Samonte who conducted a cross-examination on former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza during the trial.

Other members who will receive recognition are outgoing Executive Judge Renato Francisco who was appointed to the Court of Appeals (CA), and his successor Judge Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega.

Outgoing provincial prosecutor Gerry Geronimo, and incoming RTC judges namely Liza Marie Tecson, Cita Jose-Clemente, and Victoria Ruiz.

Villanueva said that Lawyer Jesus Ricardo Degala, a councilor of the city of Malolos will be feted for community service, along with families that produced three lawyers will also be given distinguished merit award, and lawyers who has been member of the chapters for 30, 40, and 50 years.

New lawyers like Raul Atadero, the 2011 Bar Topnotcher, and Sherwin Tugna of Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) Party-list will be inducted and feted as well.

The awarding will be held at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Pavillion here on June 7.  (Dino Balabo)