SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City
September 30, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced the installation of new officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Davao City Chapter at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.

The IBP-Davao City Chapter is the official mandatory organization of lawyers in Davao City, with around 1,300 members. An estimated 600 of its members are in the private practice of law.

The highlight of the event was the launching of the Legal Aid Warriors (LAW) Project in response to the increasing demand of free legal representation for the less fortunate who are in need of legal services.

“We therefore call on Davao lawyers to take part in volunteer work to address the unserved needs of the indigent litigants. There is no better way to make real our duty as agents of social change and as officers of the court than to provide free legal services to the poor,” said Attorney Rogelio Largo, incoming President of the IBP-Davao City Chapter.

In the event, the President administered the oath of office to the new set of the IBP-Davao City Chapter officers for 2017-2019. He also led the conferment of the 1st Davao Legal Awards (Posthumous) to the following — Attorney Cesar Europa as an Outstanding Lawyer in Private Practice, Attorney Manuel Garcia as an Outstanding Lawyer in Public Service, Attorney Epifanio Estrellado as an Outstanding Lawyer in the Academe, and Attorney Laurente Ilagan as an Outstanding Lawyer in Community and Legal Aid Service.

President Duterte was joined in the event by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and the IBP-Davao City Chapter officers and members.

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