Lawyers seek appointment of IBP president Estrada as JBC member
Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) are pushing for the appointment of their national president, Burt M. Estrada, as a member of the Judicial Bar and Council (JBC) – a constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments in the judiciary.
The move was initiated by the Misamis Oriental chapter of the IBP in a resolution adopted unanimously by its board officers.
The IBP is represented in the JBC by Franklin J. Demonteverde whose term is set to expire on July 9, 2023.
“The Board is confident in Atty. Estrada's competence, given his proven distinguished and even-handed leadership as the incumbent National President of the IBP,” the Misamis Oriental chapter said in its statement.
It said its resolution will be transmitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and to the JBC headed by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as ex-officio chairperson.
Aside from Gesmundo and Demonteverde, the incumbent members of JBC are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, ex-officio member; Sen. Francis Tolentino, representing Congress; Nesauro Firme, academe; ex-SC Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, retired SC justices; and Toribio Ilao Jr., private sector.
In its resolution, the Misamis Oriental IBP chapter cited the “the integrity of competence of Atty. Burt M. Estrada as incumbent National President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), past Vice President, past IBP Governor of Eastern Mindanao Region, and past President of Bukidnon Chapter.”
It also said that it “recognizes that Atty. Burt M. Estrada is possessed with the requisite qualifications, competence, probity and integrity and none of the disqualifications for membership in the Judicial and Bar Council representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.”
The IBP is the official organization of all lawyers in the country and created under Republic Act No. 6397 in 1973.