IBP Cebu wants probe into chapter poll mess

CEBU, Philippines - The incumbent president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu Chapter and its members are requesting for an investigation into the controversy hounding the Cebu City Chapter elections last February 26.

President Ramsey Quijano asked Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes, who was designated by the Supreme Court to supervise the Cebu City elections, for an investigation of the objectionable campaign material.

The resolution were signed by Quijano, Mundalyn Misal-Martin as secretary; Orpha Casul-Arendain as auditor and Gonzalo Malig-on Jr; Erwin Rommel Heyrosa and Noel Adlawan as directors; Joselito Alo as public relations officer and Ferdinand Pepito, Romnnie Gocuan and Virginai Telespora Redelosa also as directors.

It was lawyer Ian Sapayan who cried foul over the distribution of a pamphlet entitled “Know your candidates for IBP Cebu City President” circulated during the election.

Sapayan ran for president against Earl Bonachita who was eventually declared winner.

The paper compared the scholastic records and other achievements of Bonachita and Sapayan and also showed where both of them graduated, their number of years in the law practice, the number of tries it took them to pass the Bar exams, their experience in the IBP and positions or membership in various organizations, among others.

Sapayan said he felt the pamphlet was intended to discourage votes to be cast in his favor.

“It is difficult to put a closure to the issue unless the author of the “objectionable” campaign material is identified and be made accountable,” the resolution read.

Quijano and other members said while it may be a direct concern of the Cebu City Chapter to address the controversy the Cebu Province Chapter feels the obligation to contribute some initiative to solve the problem.

“The Cebu Province Chapter feels that we have an obligation to contribute in the resolution of the same as the act of humiliating a brother lawyer with underhanded tactics is a concern of all well-meaning members of the legal profession and transcends chapter affiliation,” resolution reads.

Bonachita was chosen to replace Michael Yu.

The other elected officers in the IBP Cebu City Chapter are Mae Elaine Bathan, vice president; Christine Marie Naranjo, secretary; Pepetua Socorro Belarmino, treasurer; Annabel Pulvera-Page, auditor; and Piedad Gonzales, public relations officer.

Elected directors for IBP Cebu City Chapter were lawyers Hidelito Pascual, Leslie Ann Reyes, Llewelyn Menchavez, Filmore Gomos and Emmanuel Bernido.

For the Cebu Province Chapter Ferdinand Pepito with 148 votes over Rex Fernandez.

Erwin Heyrosa was elected vice president; Virginia Redelosa, secretary; Mundlyn Misal-Martin, treasurer; Ronnie Gocuan, auditor; and Gonzalo Malig-on Jr., public relations officer.

The officers for the IBP Cebu Chapter include Ferdinand Dungog, Winifredo Orcullo Jr., Angelito Ortiz, Joel Seno and Margarita Yu.

The new set of IBP officers will hold office starting April 1. —(FREEMAN)