Name: Ainna Francene M.

Fathi
June 20, 2014

Legal Profession
Atty. Badando

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHLIPPINES

On October 5, 1970, the Supreme Court created the Commission on Bar Integration
primarily to serve as a common vehicle of the Court and the Bar in fashioning a
blueprint for integration and putting the same into actual operation. As provided for by
the Republic Act No. 6397, on September 17, 1971, the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines (IBP) was established as an official organization for the legal profession.
Subsequently, it also confirmed the power of the Supreme Court to adopt rules of court
to effect the integration of the Philippine Bar. By a per curiam resolution on January 9,
1973, the Supreme Court pursuant to its constitutional mandate, ordained the
integration of the Bar in accordance with its Rule 139-A, effective January 16, 1973. The
IBP Constitution and By-Laws shortly followed. The IBP was organized after the
succeeding months. Local chapters nationwide were formed on February 17, 1973
when elections for chapter officers were done. On March 17, 1973, about 104 delegates
from various IBP Chapters who were considered as the first batch of representatives to
the IBP House of Delegates convened and produced the first set of IBP Governors,
namely: Melanio T. Singson (Northern Luzon), Vicente D. Millora (Central Luzon),
Ponciano M. Mortera (Greater Manila), Raul I. Goco (Southern Luzon), Tecla San
Andres Ziga (Bicolandia), Pablo P. Garcia (Eastern Visayas), Amado A. Parreo, Jr.
(Western Visayas), Manuel M. Garcia (Eastern Mindanao) and Liliano B. Neri (Western
Mindanao).
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose B.L. Reyes was then named as the first
Chairman of the IBP in 1973. He served in the organization until 1975, and was
considered as the Chairman emeritus for the rest of his life. Reyes was regarded as one
of the pioneer proponents of bar integration in the Philippines. Governor Liliano B. Neri
was elected as IBP Executive Vice President.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is administered by a Governing Board consisting
of nine Governors who represent the nine regions of the IBP. This Governing Board
elects the IBP National President and IBP Executive Vice President from among
themselves or from outside the Board.
The IBP House of Delegates decide on important matters. The chamber is composed of
not more than one-hundred-twenty (120) members apportioned among all IBP Chapters

in major cities nationwide. The IBP Governing Board makes a reappointment of

delegates among all IBP chapters, every two years.

MEMBERSHIP
All lawyers whose names were in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court on
January 16, 1973 are considered as members. Membership in the IBP is compulsory for
all lawyers in the country based on IBP Constitution and By-Laws
Currently, numbering about 50,000, all individuals whose names appear in the Roll of
Attorneys of the Supreme Court (having qualified for and passed the Bar examinations
and taken their attorneys oath, unless otherwise disbarred) are members of the IBP. If
any such person opted not to join the organization and regulations (such as payments
of annual membership dues, now fixed at P1,000), he does not become, or he ceases
to be, an IBP member, and at the same time his name is removed from the Roll of
Attorneys. In case of removal, he ceases to be an attorney and he loses the privilege to
practice law in the country.
In addition, the Philippine Supreme Court has required all lawyers to indicate their Roll
of Attorneys Number in all papers and pleadings filed in judicial and quasi-judicial
bodies aside from the previously required current Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) and
IBP Official Receipt or Life Member Number.
NOTABLE PROJECTS

The IBP has focused on safeguarding the integrity of the bar exams; promoting ethical
practices of lawyers, judges, lawyer-politicians, and lawyer-government officials;
refraining from any partisan political activity especially during local and national
elections; developing legal education and research in law schools and upkeeping legal
education centers and expanding legal aid offices throughout the country to provide free
legal services to indigent Filipinos. National Committee on Bar Discipline is the special
group monitoring and upholding ethical practices in the profession. There is also a
National Committee on Legal Aid which is considered as an ad hoc committee for
establishing and maintaining suitable legal aid offices in all IBP Chapters nationwide.