Cebu lady lawyers makes history as IBP Cebu City elects new sets of officers

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu Lady Lawyers Association (CELLA) made a breakthrough when it elected the first transgender woman as its president, Atty. Regal Oliva as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) also ushered in new sets of officers in an election held recently.

Oliva is the Immediate Past President of the IBP Cebu City Chapter and now sits as Deputy Governor for the Eastern Visayas Region of the IBP.

“I consider this breakthrough to be a challenge to break more glass ceilings, while I am guided with women legal luminaries in Cebu. We aim to promote more advocacies to protect women and girls, as well as focus on the urgency to push for more equal rights and safe spaces for all,” Oliva said.

CELLA is an organization of women lawyers in Cebu advocating for an inclusive society onwards gender equality, providing access to justice for the poor and underprivileged women, and lobbying laws in the communities to stop violence against women and girls.

Elected with Oliva were Lawyers Georgia Herrera-Klepp as External Vice President, Mary Grace Casano as Internal Vice President, Jizza Raagas as Secretary, Elizabeth Reyes as Treasurer, Angel Fernandez-Dumon as Auditor, and Lalaine Salve-Esmeralda as PRO.

Also elected among the Directors were Lawyers Hazel Espina, Tercel Mercado-Gephart,Rhea Senining-Judilla, Mary Rose Salvatiera-Lubino, Niva Costanilla-Vilamor.

Former President Michelle Mendez-Palmares, who sits as the incumbent President of the IBP Cebu City Chapter expressed her excitement on the results of the elections as it does not only make history for CELLA, but for the whole legal community in Cebu, showing much respect and acceptance for all regardless of the individual’s gender expression. “This just shows how progressive the Cebu legal community is, much more CELLA,” she added.

IBP Cebu City elects Hernaez as president

The Cebu City Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) meanwhile, elected its new set of officers with Atty. Rosendo Hernaez III as president succeeding Atty. Michelle Mendez-Palmares who will end her term on March 31, 2023.

Hernaez was unopposed for the position.  “The presidency of the Chapter is both a challenging and fulfilling task most especially when the previous administration has done such great programs for the poor and underprivileged,” he said.

It is his resolve to focus on the most important tasks, forged alliances with other chapters, and extend more partnerships with other law organizations to expand the reach of the IBP to more of its members, Hernaez added.

 The new set of officers will assume their office on April 1, 2023.  The other officers elected into office are Lawyers Bernardino Amago IV as Vice President, Lalaine Salve-Esmeralda as Secretary, Mark Anthony Gaviola as Treasurer, Darling Chyrmyth Wagas-Estorgo, Julius Oliver Moeller. The elected Directors are Lawyers Mark Gregory Avila, Mary Grace Casano, Georgia Herrera-Klepp, Rhea Mae Senining-Judilla, and Nestor Crispin Miguel Lumapas.

The elections were held simultaneously among all Chapters of the IBP in the country and Cebu City is one of the three best Chapters in the Philippines with various undertakings cited as outstanding projects and programs, especially in their systems for legal aid.

“The new set of officers is composed of the most effective and reliable members who have always been ready to serve more the indigents, defend the oppressed, and cater more programs for the least, the lost, and the last,” Palmares said.

The IBP is the official organization of all Philippine lawyers whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court. Created on October 5, 1970, the Commission on Bar Integration was tasked “not only to ascertain the advisability of integration of the Bar, but even more, to serve a common vehicle of the Court and the Bar in fashioning a blueprint for integration and putting the same into actual operation. (Photos: RobbyAlugar/IBP/CELLA FBs)