SC, IBP Sign MOA on Issuance of Single ID for Philippine Bar Members
August 9, 2023
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (center), Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa (left), and Integrated Bar of the Philippines National President Antonio C. Pido flash their new Philippine Bar identification cards during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the development and issuance of a single identification card/ID for all members of the Philippine Bar, at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on August 9, 2023. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
The Supreme Court and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) today signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the development and issuance of a single identification card (ID) for all members of the Philippine Bar. The signing was held at the Session Hall of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas and IBP National President Antonio C. Pido signed the MOA for the Supreme Court and for the IBP, respectively. Signing as witnesses were Supreme Court Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, who is the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Oversight, and IBP Immediate Past National President Burt M. Estrada.
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo expressed his gratitude to the IBP “for being a major partner of the Court in the continuous development of legal practice in the country.” The Chief Justice said that the IBP “has tirelessly cooperated with the Court in upholding integrity and excellence in the legal profession. Now with this ID card system, it has shown its commitment for a better and stronger Philippine Bar.”
The Chief Justice remarked that the single ID card reminds lawyers of their commitment to public service and the rule of law. “It serves to remind us to be exemplars of humility and advocates of social equality and justice,” he added
For his part, IBP President Atty. Pido likewise thanked the Supreme Court for its continued support to the lawyers’ group and for the inclusion of the Supreme Court logo in the ID.
He also thanked his predecessor, former IBP President Atty. Estrada, who initiated the single ID project during his term. Atty. Pido added that he hopes that the single ID, which has no expiration date, will enhance the lawyers’ professional standing in the community and encourage every lawyer to participate in all IBP activities.
Also present during the MOA signing were Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, and Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez.
Joining the Justices were Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, who acknowledged the signing of the MOA under oath, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Attorney Maria Victoria Gleoresty Sp. Guerra, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Jed Sherwin G. Uy, and Office of the Bar Confidant Officer-in-Charge Atty. Amor P. Entila.
Also present were other IBP officials: Atty. Randall C. Tabayoyong, National Treasurer; Atty. Martin John S. Yasay, National Director for Operations; Atty. Avelino V. Sales, Jr., National Director for Bar Discipline; Atty. Doroteo Lorenzo B. Aguila, National Secretary; Atty. Manuel Joseph B. Ibañez III, National Director for Chapter Affairs; Atty. Marcelino Michael I. Atanante IV, National Director of National Center for Legal Aid; and Atty. Marlou B. Ubano, National Director for Administration.
Former Assistant Court Administrator and Public Information Office Chief and now Governance Commission for GOCCs Commissioner Brian Keith F. Hosaka served as the emcee of the MOA signing ceremony.
On June 13, 2023, the IBP issued a Resolution approving the MOA between the Supreme Court and the IBP relative to the development and issuance of ID cards for members of the IBP.
On July 11, 2023, in A.M. No. 23-07-06-SC (Re: Memorandum of Agreement between the Supreme Court of the Philippines and Integrated Bar of the Philippines on the Issuance of a Single ID Card for the Members of the Philippine Bar), the Court En Banc subsequently resolved to approve the said MOA between the Supreme Court and the IBP for the single identification card for all members of the Philippine Bar. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa (third from left), Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas (second from left), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) National President Antonio C. Pido (second from right), and former IBP National President Burt M. Estrada (rightmost) present the copies of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Supreme Court and for the IBP, respectively, for the development and issuance of a single identification card/ID for all members of the Philippine Bar, at the Supreme Court of the Philippines on August 9, 2023. Also in photo are Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (third from right) and Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan (leftmost). (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo poses for posterity with Supreme Court Justices, Court officials, and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) officers following the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Supreme Court and for the IBP, respectively, for the development and issuance of a single identification card/ID for all members of the Philippine Bar, held on August 9, 2023. From left: Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, En Banc Clerk of Court Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Chief Justice Gesmundo, IBP National President Antonio C. Pido, Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, and IBP’s Immediate Past National President Burt M. Estrada. (Courtesy of the Supreme Court Public Information Office)