Majority of the new set of officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) elected during its Biennial Meeting last week are young lawyers who passed the Bar less than five years ago.
Atty. Alissa Anne D. Sanchez of Gigmoto, who became a lawyer in 2021, was elected as the new president during the election of new officers last Feb. 22, 2025 at Isla Grande Inn in Virac.
She leads eight other officers who all took their oaths before the Supreme Court in the last four years.
The other officers are: Vice President – Atty. Michael Angelo V. Marquez of Virac; Secretary – Atty. Gerardo M. Rojas of Bato; Treasurer – Atty. Peter Emiliano T. Villamor of Virac; Auditor – Atty. Quenny Rose V. Ibardalosa of Virac; and PRO – Atty. Shander A. Matienzo of Virac.
Comprising the new Board of Directors are: Atty. Elena Bernardo-Sabeniano of Pandan, Atty. Gregorio M. Sarmiento Jr. of Virac ; Atty. John Russel A. Briones of Naga City, Atty. Mary France O. Soquerata of Virac and Atty. Vicky Joy T. Bernal of Virac.
The new set of IBP officers will serve for a term of two years, from 2025 to 2027.
Except for Atty. Sarmiento and Atty. Briones, the officers all became lawyers from 2021 to 2023.
Former president Atty. Allan Zuniega, who will serve as ex-officio director, presided over an active administration: aside from holding a testimonial dinner for bar passers in the past two years, the IBP chapter provided free legal aid, consultation and notarization for public school teachers, non-teaching personnel, People Deprived of Liberty at BJMP jails, and residents of several towns.
A total of 38 members showed up at the biennial meeting while 28 others participated online, with recent bas passer Atty. Aristotle Ramos witnessing the proceedings.
The IBP seeks to elevate the standards of the legal profession, improve the administration of justice; and enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibilities more effectively.