By Laws of IBP




THE INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES BY-LAWS ARTICLE I [Sections 1 to 17] GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. Name. - The national organization of lawyers created on January 6 , 1973 under Rule of Court 139-A (hereinafter designated as the Integration Rule) and constituted on May 4, 1973 into a body corporate by Presidential Decree No. 181 shall be known as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Section 2. Objectives and purposes. - The following are the general objectives of the Integrated bar: · to elevate the standards of the legal profession, · to improve the administration of justice; and · to enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibilities more effectively. The purposes of the Integrated Bar include, without being limited to, those specified in the per curiam Resolution of the Supreme Court dated January 9, 1973 ordaining the integration of the Philippine Bar, to wit: [1] Assist in the administration of justice; [2] Foster and maintain, on the part of its members, high ideals of integrity, learning, professional competence, public service and conduct; [3] Safeguard the professional interests of its members; [4] Cultivate among its members a spirit of cordiality and brotherhood; [5] Provide a forum for the discussion of law, jurisprudence, law reform, pleading, practice and procedure, and the relations of the Bar to the Bench and to the public, and publish information relating thereto; [6] Encourage and foster legal education; and [7] Promote a continuing program of legal research in substantive and adjective law, and make reports and recommendations thereon. Section 3. Powers, prerogatives, functions, duties and responsibilities. - The powers, prerogatives, functions, duties and responsibilities of the Integrated Bar, its Chapters and other agencies, its officers and committees, national and local, its commisions, and its members, are as provided by law, the Integration Rule, Presidential Decree No. 181, these By-Laws and pertinent rules and regulations. Inter alia, The Integrated Bar shall have perpetual sucession and shall have all legal powers appertaining to a juridical person, particularly the power to sue and be sued; to contract and to be contracted with; to hold real and personal property as may be necessary for corporate purposes, to mortgage, lease, sell, transfer, convey and otherwise dispose of the same; to solicit and receive public and private donations and contributions; to accept and receive real and personal property by gift, devise or bequest; to levy and collect membership dues and special assessments from its members; to adopt a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have offices and conduct its affairs in the Greater Manila Area and elsewhere; to make and adopt by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines or the Rules of Court particulary the Integrated Rule; and generally to do all such acts and things as may be necessary or proper to carry into effect and promote the objectives and purposes for which it was organized. All donations or contributions which may be made by private entities or persons to the Integrated Bar shall be exempt from income and gift taxes, and the same shall further be deductible in full and shall not be included for purposes of computing the maximum amount deductible under Section 30, paragraph (h) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. All taxes, charges and fees that may be paid by the Integrated Bar or any of its Chapters to the Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof shall be refundable annually to the former for the period extending up to December 31, 1978. Section 4. Non-political bar. - The Intergrated Bar is strictly non-political, and every activity tending to impair this basic feature is strictly prohibited and shall be penalized accordingly. No lawyer holding an elective, judicial, quasi-judicial, or prosecutory office in the Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof shall be eligible for election or appointment to any position in the Integrated Bar or any Chapter thereof. A Delegate, Governor, officer or employee of the Integrated Bar, or an officer or employee of any Chapter therof shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his position as of the moment he files his certificate of candidacy for any elective public office or accepts appointment to any judicial, quasi-judicial, or prosecutory office in the Government or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof. Section 5. Positions honorary. - Except as may be specifically authorized or allowed by the Supreme Court, no national or local officer, or committee or commisision member shall receive any compensation, allowance or emolument from the funds of the Integrated Bar for any service rendered therein, or be entitled to reimbursement for any expense incurred in the discharge of his functions. Section 6. National office. - The national office of the Integrated Bar shall be in the Greater Manila Area. Section 7. Seal and emblem. - The seal and emblem of the Integrated Bar, as adopted by the Board of Governors, shall be kept in its national office. Section 8. Notices and processes. - Services of all notices and processes intended for the Integrated Bar of the Philippines shall be made upon its Secretary or any other authorized representative at its national office. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, any notice to be served upon a member of the Integrated Bar shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage fully prepaid, and addressed to such member at his last known office or residence address appearing in the records or membership roll of the national office or of the Chapter concerned. Notice to the general membership may be given by mail, by publication in the Journal of the Integrated Bar, or as otherwise directed by the Board of Governors Section 9. Officer defined. - The term "officer" as used in these By-Laws shall include, but not necessarily be limited to the following: President, Executive Vice President, Governors, Secretary, Treasurer and other national officers of the Integrated Bar, officers and members of the House of Delegates, Chapter officers and directors, commisioners, and members of all national and local committees. Only members in good standing may become officers and, unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws, no person who is not a member of the Integrated Bar may become an officer. Section 10. Term of office. - The term of office of all elective officers, national and local, shall be two years. In no case may any member be elected to the same office for two consecutive terms. Section 11. Vacancies. - Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, whenever the term of office or position, whether elective or appointive, is for a fixed period, the person chosen to fill a vacancy therein shall serve only for the unexpired position of the term. Section 12. Non-answerability of the Integrated Bar. - In the absence of a showing of malice, fraud, bad faith, or negligence, the Integrated Bar, its national officers and Governors, the officers and members of the House of Delegates, all the Chapters and the offices thereof, commisioners, and all committees, national and local, and the members thereof, shall not be answerable for any damage, incident to any complaint, charge, investigation, prosecution, proceeding, trial, decision, resolution, recommendation, or action had, made, done or taken under the authority of these By-Laws. Section 13. Malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance. - Notwithstanding the provisions of the next preceding section, the Board of Governors may motu proprio or upon the petition of any person, inquire into any malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance committed by any member of the Integrated Bar or of any of its Chapters, and, after due hearing, take whatever action it may deem warranted. Such action may include his suspension or removal from any office in the Integrated Bar or of its Chapters held by such erring member, as well as recommendation to the Supreme Court for his suspension from the practice of law or disbarment. Section 14. Prohibited acts and practices relative to elections. - The following acts and practices relative to elections are prohibited, whether committed by a candidate for any elective office in the Integrated Bar or by any other member, directly or indirectly, in any form or manner, by himself or through another person. (1) Distribution, except on election day, of election campaign materials; (2) Distribution, on election day, of election campaign materials other than a statement of the biodata of the candidate on not more than one page of a legal size sheet of paper; or causing the distribution of such statement to be done by persons other than those authorized by the officer presiding at the elections; (3) Campaigning for or against any candidate, while holding an elective, judicial, quasi-judicial or prosecutory office in the Government or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof; (4) Formation of tickets, single slates , or combinations of candidates as well s the advertising thereof; (5) For the purpose of inducing or influencing a member to withold his vote, or to vote for or against a candidate, (1) payment of the dues or other indebtedness of any member; (2) giving of food, drink, entertainment, transportation or any article of value, or any similar consideration to any person; or (3) making a promise or causing an expenditure to be made, offered or promise to any person. Section 15. Supreme Court observer. - The Supreme Court may designate an official observer at any election of the Integrated Bar, whether national or local. Section 16. Voluntary Bar Associations. - All voluntary Bar associations now existing or which may hereafter be formed may co-exist with the Integrated Bar but shall not operate at cross-purposes therewith nor against any policy, act, resolution or decision thereof. Section 17. Rules of Court suppletory. - Whenever applicable, the Rules of Court shall be suppletory to these By-Laws. ARTICLE II [Sections 18 to 22] MEMBERSHIP Section 18. Membership. - The following persons are, automatically and without exception members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines: (a) A1l lawyers whose names were in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme Court as of January 16, 1973; and (b) All lawyers whose names were included or are entered therein after the said date. Section 19. Registration. - Unless he has already previously registered, every member heretofore admitted to the practice of law shall, not later than December 31, 1974, register in the Integrated Bar as hereunder required, at the national office or at the office of his Chapter. Every person admitted to the practice of law after these by-laws become effective shall register in like manner not later than sixty days after such admission. Registration shall be accomplished by signing and filing in duplicate the prescribed registration form containing such information as may be required by the Board of Governors, including the following: (a) Full name, sex and civil status; (b) Month, date, year and place of birth; (c) Office address(es); (d) Residence address(es); (e) Occupation(s) or employment; (f) Name of law school and year of graduation; (g) Year of admission to the Bar; and (h) Field(s) of specialization in law, if any. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of every Chapter to promptly forward a copy of each accomplished registration form to the national office. Every change after registration in respect to any of the matters above specified shall be reported within sixty days to the Chapter Secretary who shall in turn promptly report the change to the national office. Unless he otherwise registers his preference for a particular Chapter, a lawyer shall be considered a member of the Chapter of the province, city, political subdivision or area where his office or, in the absence thereof, his residence is located. In no case shall any lawyer be a member of more than one Chapter. Section 20. Members in good standing. - Every member who has paid all membership dues and all authorized special assessments, plus surcharges owing thereon, and who is not under suspension from the practice of law or from membership privileges, is a member in good standing. Section 21. Voluntary termination of membership; reinstatement. - A member may terminate his membership by filing a verified notice to that effect with the Secretary of the Integrated Bar, who shall immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Supreme Court. Forthwith, he shall cease to be a member and his name shall be stricken from the Roll of Attorneys. Reinstatement may be made in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Board of Governors and approved by the Court, provided that any written application for reinstatement must be filed with the Board, which shall, within fifteen (15) days from receipt, forward the same to the Court with its appropriate recommendation. Section 22. Retirement; reinstatement. - Any member in good standing who shall have attained the age of seventy-five years, or who shall have been forty years as lawyer shall, by reason of physical disability or judicially adjudged mental incapacity, be unable to engage in the practice of Law, may be retired from the Integrated Bar upon verified petition to the Board of Governors. Retired members shall not practice law or be required to pay dues. A retired member may be reinstated to active membership upon written application to and approval by the Board. The Board shall make periodic reports of retirement and reinstatement of members to the Supreme Court. ARTICLE II [Sections 23 to 25] DUES Section 23. Membership dues. - On or before the 31st day of December, every member of the Integrated Bar shall pay annual dues for the ensuing fiscal year in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS at the National Office or at the office of his Chapter, to take effect on January 1, 1995. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter No. 668). Membership dues shall be apportioned as follows: Chapter share - P200.00; General Fund - P150.00; Welfare Fund - P40.00; Legal Aid - P20.00; Bar Discipline - P20.00; and IBP Journal - P70.00. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter No. 668). Subject to approval by the Supreme Court, the Board of Governors may increase the annual membership dues, or modify the apportionment thereof. (As amended on January 30, 1992). THE IBP LIFE MEMBERSHIP PLAN (As amended in accordance with and pursuant to Supreme Court Resolution dated August 20, 1999, increasing the life membership fee to P8,500.00 effective as of January 1, 1999) A member of the IBP may apply for life membership therein by filing an application therefor directly with the national office or through the appropriate chapter under the following terms: (1) That the member shall be in good standing as provided for under Section 20, Article II of these By-Laws at the time he files his application for life membership; (2) That he pays to the national office his life membership fee in the sum of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00); and (3) That he abides by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines implementing the life membership plan. Upon payment of the life membership fee of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00), the member shall be enrolled in the Roll of Life Members to be prepared by and kept in the Office of the Treasurer of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He shall be issued a certificate of life membership to be signed by the national president and attested by the National Secretary. The life membership fee of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) shall be deposited in a reputable banking institution chosen by the Board of Governors, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, as a perpetual trust fund which shall earn interest at the best possible rate per annum. Only the annual income of the life membership trust fund shall be available for expenditure of the IBP and shall be applied as follows: (1) To the payment of the life member's annual dues as provided in Section 23, Article III of these By-Laws; (2) Fifty percent of the balance of the income, if any, shall be automatically appropriated for the operational expenses of the Committee on Bar Discipline, including the salaries of the national investigators or commissioners and the staff of the Committee; (3) The other fifty percent of the balance, if any, shall be deposited as part of the life membership trust fund. Any life member, whose membership in the IBP terminates by retirement or for any other cause, shall cease to be a life member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (As amended pursuant to Supreme Court Resolution dated October 27, 1992). All lawyers shall indicate in all pleadings, motions and papers signed and filed by them in any court in the Philippines - and in the case of government lawyers, in all official documents issued by them - the number and date of their official receipt indicating payment of their annual membership dues to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for the current year, or in the case of life members, their life membership roll number. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter No. 668). Section 24. Effect of non-payment of dues. - Except for the fiscal year 1974- 1975, any member who has not paid his membership dues for any given fiscal year on or before the last day (June 30) of the immediately preceding fiscal year shall be considered as dues-delinquent members. For the fiscal year 1974-1975 any member who has not paid the annual dues on or before November 30, 1974 shall be considered a dues-delinquent. If the delinquency continues until the following December 31, the Board of Governors shall by Resolution forthwith suspend all his membership privileges other than the practice of law. A copy of such Resolution shall be sent by registered mail to the member and to the secretary of the Chapter concerned. The Board shall promptly inquire into the cause or causes of the delinquency and take whatever action it shall deem appropriate, including a recommendation to the Supreme Court for the suspension of the delinquent member from the practice of law. Should the deliquency further continue until the following June 29, the Board shall promptly inquire into the cause or causes of the continued delinquency and take whatever action it shall deem appropriate, including a recommendation to the Supreme Court for the removal of the delinquent member's name from the Roll of Attorneys. Notice of the action taken shall be sent by registered mail to the member and to the Secretary of the Chapter concerned. Whenever a delinquent member makes full payment of the membership dues owing, plus a sum equivalent to ten (10) percent thereof, such fact shall, without delay, be reported to the Board, which shall take such action as may be warranted. A member whose name is removed from the Roll of Attorneys pursuant to the provision of this Section may apply for reinstatement under the provisions of the second paragraph of Section 21 (Voluntary termination of n membership; reinstatement). Section 25. Remission or lifting of sanctions. - The Board of Governors may, for justifiable reasons, remit or lift sanctions already imposed and authorize the retroactive reinstatement of the member concerned. However, sanctions imposed or approved by the Supreme Court may be remitted or lifted only by the Court. ARTICLE IV. [Sections 26 to 29] CHAPTERS Section 26. Chapters. - A Chapter of the Integrated Bar shall be organized in every province existing on the date of the effectivity of the Integration Rule. Except as hereinbelow provided, every city shall be considered part of the province within which it was geographically situated prior to its creation as a city. A separate Chapter shall be organized in each of the following political subdivisions or areas: (a) The sub-province of Aurora; (b) Each congressional district of the City of Manila existing on the date of the effectivity of the Integration Rule; (c) Quezon City; (d) Caloocan City, Malabon and Navotas; (e) Pasay City, Makati, Mandaluyong and San Juan del Monte; (f) Cebu City; and (g) Zamboanga City, Basilan Cites and Basilan province. The Board of Governors shall reorganize the various Chapters of cities and provinces, by division or merger, to the end that, as far as practicable, no chapter shall have more than one thousand nor less than five hundred members beginning the fiscal year 1977-1978. The Board shall study the feasibility of organizing Chapters in new provinces. Section 27. Coordination of Chapter activities. - The Board shall coordinate and supervise the activities of all the Chapters for purposes of promoting maximum lawyer participation in Integrated Bar affairs, and effective administration and operation of the organization. Section 28. Chapter local government. - Each Chapter shall have its own government. Section 29. Uniform by-laws. - Every Chapter shall strictly observe the following by-laws, but the Board of Officers of any Chapter may submit for consideration and action by the Board of Governors such additional provisions as may be demanded by local conditions. ARTICLE V. [Sections 30 to 36] HOUSE OF DELEGATES Section 30. Composition of the House. - The Integrated Bar shall have a House of Delegates composed of not more than one hundred and twenty members apportioned among all the Chapters. On or before December 31, 1974, and every two years thereafter, the Board of Governors shall make a reappointment of Delegates among all the Chapters as nearly as may be according to the number of their respective members, but each Chapter shall have at least one Delegate. Section 31. Membership. - The membership of the House of Delegates shall consist of all the Chapter Presidents and in the case of Chapters entitled to more than one Delegate each, the Vice Presidents of the Chapters and such additional Delegates as the Chapters are entitled to. Unless the Vice President is already a Delegate, he shall be an alternate Delegate. Additional Delegates and alternates shall in proper cases be elected by the Board of Officers of the Chapter. Members of the Board of Governors who are not Delegates shall be members ex oficio of the House, without the right to vote. Section 32. Term of office. - The term of office of additional and alternate Delegates shall be coterminous with that of Chapter Delegates. Section 33. Annual convention. - (a) Unless for special reasons, another date is set by the Board of Governors, the House shall hold an annual convention during the month of April of each year, at the call of the Board, at such time and place as the Board shall determine. Each Region shall be entitled to host one annual or special convention every nine years. The convention program shall be prepared by the Board. No convention of the House of Delegates nor of the general membership shall be held prior to any election in an election year. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter 491). (b) The President and Executive Vice President of the IBP shall be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, of the House of Delegates. The Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the House of Delegates. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter 491) (c) At or prior to the annual convention, there shall be published an address by the President on the state of the Integrated Bar, a report of the proceedings, reports of officers and committees, and recommendations submitted in connection with these reports. (d) Any matter not included in the published convention program may be considered, debated or acted upon by the House, upon written petition signed by at least twenty Delegates. (e) During the deliberations, no person shall speak for more than five minutes or more than twice on the same matter, unless otherwise authorized by the Chairman. (f) The House shall be a deliberative body of the Integrated Bar, and its resolutions shall bind the Integrated Bar when concurred in by the Board of Governors. (g) At all deliberations of the House, whether in annual or special convention, the Robert's Rules of Order shall govern. Section 34. Special convention. - Special conventions of the House may be called by the Board of Governors motu proprio, or upon written petition therefor filed with the Secretary of the Integrated Bar signed by not less than thirty Delegates. The Board shall set the date, time and place for each special convention. Notice shall be given to all Delegates at least thirty days before the convention, stating the purpose and the urgency thereof as well as the business to be transacted thereat. Section 35. Quorum. - The Delegates present at any session of a convention shall constitute a quorum to do business. Section 36. Duties of Delegates. - The Delegates shall attend every convention of the House, promote the work of the convention, and make reports of the proceedings thereof to their respective Chapters. ARTICLE VI [Sections 37 to 46] BOARD OF GOVERNORS Section 37. Composition of the Board. - The Integrated Bar of the Philippines shall be governed by a Board of Governors consisting of nine (9) Governors from the nine (9) regions as delineated in Section 3 of the Integration Rule, on the representation basis of one (1) Governor for each region to be elected by the members of the House of Delegates from that region only. The position of Governor should be rotated among the different Chapters in the Region. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter 491). Section 38. Term of office. - The Governors shall hold office for a term of two years from July 1 immediately following their election to June 30 of their second year in office and until their successors shall have been duly chosen and qualified. Section 39. Nomination and election of the Governors. - At least one (1) month before the national convention the delegates from each region shall elect the governor for their region, the choice of which shall as much as possible be rotated among the chapters in the region. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter 491). Section 40. Election contests. - Any nominee desiring to contest an election shall, within two days after the announcement of the results of the elections, file with the President of the Integrated Bar a written protest setting forth the grounds therefor. Upon receipt of such petition, the President shall forthwith call a special meeting of the outgoing Board of Governors to consider and hear the protest, with due notice to the contending parties. The decision of the Board shall be announced not later than the following May 31, and shall be final and conclusive. Section 41. Functions of the Board. - The Board of Governors shall have general charge of the affairs and activities of the Integrated Bar. It shall have authority, inter alia, to: (a) Fix the date, time and place of every convention of the House of Delegates, subject to the provisions of Sections 33 (Annual convention) and 34 (Special conventions); (b) Make appropriations and authorize disbursements from the funds of the Integrated Bar, subject to the provisions of Sec. 14 of the Integration Rule and Section 5 (Positions honorary) of these By-Laws; (c) Engage the services of employees, define their duties and fix their compensation; (d) Receive, consider and act on reports and recommendations submitted by the House of Delegates or its committees; (e) Provide for the publication of the Journal of the Integrated Bar; (f) Administer the Welfare Fund in accordance with such rules and regulations as it may promulgate; (g) Fill vacancies, however arising in the positions of officers of the Integrated Bar, subject to the provisions of Sec. 8 of the Integration Rule, and Section 11 (Vacancies), Section 44 (Removal of members), Section 47 (National officers), Section 48 (Other officers), and Section 49 (Terms of office) of these By-Laws; (h) Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, promulgate Canons of Professional Responsibility for all members of the Integrated Bar; (i) Promulgate rules and regulations for the establishment and maintenance of lawyer referral services throughout the Philippines; (j) Subject to the approval of the Supreme Court, impose special assessments for specific national purposes, and impose, or recommend in proper cases to the Court the imposition of, sanctions for non-payment or delinquency in the payment thereof; (k) Prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper to carry out the objectives and purposes of the Integrated Bar as well as the provisions of the Integration Rule and Presidential Decree No. 181; and (l) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or expedient in the interest of the Integrated Bar. Section 42. Meetings. - The Board shall meet regularly once a month, on such date and such time and place as it shall designate. Special meetings may be called by the President, and shall be called by him upon the written request of five members of the Board. Section 43. Quorum. - Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum to transact business. However, the Board may take action, without a meeting, by resolution signed by at least five Governors provided that every member of the Board shall have been previously apprised of the contents of the resolution. Section 44. Removal of members. - If the Board of Governors should determine after proper inquiry that any of its members, elective or otherwise, has for any reason become unable to perform his duties, the Board, by resolution of the majority of the remaining members, may declare his position vacant, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court. Any member of the Board, elective or otherwise, may be removed for cause, including three consecutive absences from Board meetings without justifiable excuse, by resolution adopted by two-thirds of the remaining members of the Board, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court. In case of any vacancy in the office of Governor for whatever cause, the delegates from the region shall, by majority vote, elect a successor from among the members of the Chapter to which the resigned governor is a member to serve as governor for the unexpired portion of the term. (As amended pursuant to Supreme Court Resolution dated March 2. 1993). Section 45. Executive Committee. - There shall be an Executive Committee of not less than three Governors, the powers, functions, duties and responsibilities of which shall be as prescribed by the Board. The President shall be the chairman thereof. Section 46. Urgent matters. - Should the Executive Committee consider it desirable and imperative that any matter be decided urgently by the Board, and it is not practicable or expedient for the Board to convene, the Executive Committee may, for the purpose, direct a poll of all the members of the Board on that matter, to be taken by correspondence, telegram, radiogram, cablegram, or any other expeditous means, and the effect of such a poll shall be the same as if the votes therein were cast at a regular meeting of the Board. ARTICLE VII [Sections 47 to 51] NATIONAL OFFICERS Section 47. National Officers. - The Integrated Bar of the Philippines shall have a President and Executive Vice President to be chosen by the Board of Governors from among nine (9) regional governors, as much as practicable, on a rotation basis. The governors shall be ex officio Vice President for their respective regions. There shall also be a Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Governors to be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter 491). The Executive Vice President shall automatically become President for the next succeeding term. The Presidency shall rotate among the nine Regions. Section 48. Other officers. - Other officers and employees as the Board may require shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board. Such officers and employees need not be members of the Integrated Bar. Section 49. Terms of office. - The President and the Executive Vice President shall hold office for a term of two years from July 1 following their election until June 30 of their second year in office and until their successors shall have been duly chosen and qualified. In the event the President is absent or unable to act, his functions and duties shall be performed by the Executive Vice President, and in the event of the death, resignation, or removal of the President, the Executive Vice President shall serve as Acting President for the unexpired portion of the term. In the event of the death, resignation, removal or disability of both the President and the Executive Vice President, the Board of Governors shall elect an Acting President to hold office for the unexpired portion of the term or during the period of disability. Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws , all other officers and employees appointed by the President with the consent of the Board shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board or for such term as the Board may fix. Section 50. Duties of officers. - (a) President: The President shall be the chief executive of the Integrated Bar, and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Governors. From assumption of office and for the duration of his termed the President shall dissociate himself from any and all activities that may, in one way or another, restrict or hamper the effective exercise of his powers and performance of his functions and duties. (b) Executive Vice President: The Executive Vice President shall exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties of the President during the absence or inability of the latter to act, and shall perform such other functions and duties as are assigned to him by the President and the Board of Governors. (c) Governors: In addition to his duties as a member of the Board of Governors, each elective Governor shall act as representative of his Region in the Board. He shall promote, coordinate and correlate activities of the Chapters within his Region. (d) Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Governors, and keep a record of all the proceedings thereof; prepare and maintain a register of all members of the Integrated Bar; notify national officers as well as members of national committees of their election or appointments; cause to be prepared the necessary official ballots for the election of Governors; and perform such other duties as are assigned to him by these By-Laws, by the President and by the Board of Governors. (e) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall collect, receive, recorder and disburse ad funds of the Integrated Bar; however, no disbursement shall be made except over his signature, countersigned by the President or, in the absence or inability of the President, by the Executive Vice President, or in the absence or inability of both, by a member of the Executive Committee designated by the President. He shall render reports of receipts and disbursements as required by the Board of Governors; promptly remit to the Chapters concerned their proportionate shares in the dues and assessments paid by members directly to the national office under Section 23 (Membership dues); assist in the preparation of the annual budget; and perform such other duties as are assigned to him by these By-Laws, by the President and by the Board of Governors. He shall furnish a surety bond at the expense of the Integrated Bar, in such amount as may be required by the Board. Section 51. Delegation of duties. - The functions and duties of the Secretary and the treasurer may, in their absence or inability, be performed by assistants or employees of the Integrated Bar designated by the President. ARTICLE VIII [Sections 52 to 67] NATIONAL COMMITTEES Section 52. National Committees. - The Board of Governors shall establish and maintain standing national committees. Until otherwise changed, modified or redefined by the Board, the respective names, powers, prerogatives, functions, duties and responsibilities of the standing committees shall be as set forth in this Article. The Board shall have authority to create additional standing committees and special committees and to define their respective powers, prerogatives, functions, duties and responsibilities. Every committee shall submit an annual report to the President, but the Board may, at any time, require any committee to submit a special report. Section 53. Membership of committees. - Each national committee shall consist of such number of members as may be fixed by the Board of Governors. They shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Board, and shall serve for a term of two years, and until their respective successors shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The chairman of each committee shall be designated by the President. Three consecutive absences of any member from committee meetings without justifiable excuse shall be a ground for the President to appoint his replacement. Section 54. Committee on Chapter Affairs. - This committee shall make studies of, and submit reports and recommendations on, the establishment, organization and operation of all Chapters, the apportionment and reapportionment of the seats in the House of Delegates, and the means and methods of encouraging and coordinating Chapter activities and of promoting maximum involvement and participation of the members of the Integrated Bar in the activities thereof and of their respective Chapters. Section 55. Committee on Legal Aid. - This committee shall promote the establishment and efficient maintenance of Chapter legal aid organizations suited to provide free legal service; direct and supervise all Chapter legal aid organizations; maintain maximum levels of coordination and cooperation with other organizations having similar objectives; receive and solicit aid and assistance from any available and suitable source or sources, provided that the independent character of the legal aid is not impaired; and, in general, do or cause to be done all things necessary and proper for the promotion of legal aid activities, projects and objectives. Section 56. Committee on Administration of Justice. - This committee shall study the organization and operation of the judicial system and recommend appropriate changes in practice and procedure to improve the efficiency thereof, and, in that connection, shall examine all proposed changes in the system. It shall collate information and submit appropriate recommendations on judicial appointments, judicial tenure and compensation, and retirement pensions. Section 57. Committee on Legal Education and Bar Admissions. - This committee shall make continuing studies of, and submit recommendations on, the curriculum and teaching methods in law schools, as well as standards and methods in determining the qualifications of applicants for admission to the Bar and, whenever requested, shall assist in the investigation of the qualifications of persons seeking admission to the Bar. It shall formulate and promote or co-sponsor with other groups of institutions, programs designed to afford members of the Integrated Bar suitable opportunities for acquiring, here and abroad, additional professional knowledge, training and skill. Section 58. Committee on Professional Responsibility, Discipline and Disbarment. - This committee shall formulate the Canons of Professional Responsibility for adoption by the Board of Governors and approval by the Supreme Court, and submit recommendations on methods for the effective enforcement thereof as well as on appropriate amendments thereto. It shall have authority to express advisory opinions, upon written request of any member, on any matter affecting his own professional conduct. In no case shall the opinion of the committee disclose the name of any party. The committee may call upon any Chapter officer or Chapter committee member to exchange information as to problems arising under the Canons of Professional Responsibility, and to examine grievance procedures. It shall make recommendations to the Board of Governors for reforms and improvements in the said procedures. Section 59. Committee on Research Services. - This committee shall plan the research services of the Integrated Bar in substantive and adjective laws and, together with other institutions, promote legal research and law reform and development. It shall select areas of the law in need of general study, revision or codification; formulate plans and prepare budgets for specific research projects; assess the availability of qualified personnel to perform research work; and submit recommendations thereon. It shall periodically render progress reports on authorized research projects, and provide necessary supervision for the successful completion of each project. Section 60. Committee on Legislation. - This committee shall study all proposed changes in the Constitution and in statutes and laws of general interests or general application and submit reports thereon and, upon the approval of the Board of Governors, shall represent the Integrated Bar in supporting or opposing such proposals. Section 61. Committee on Public Services. - This committee shall prepare and submit plans for advancing public acceptance of the objectives and purposes of the Integrated Bar, and shall execute such plans as are approved by the Board of Governors. These plans shall include arrangements for disseminating information of interest to the public in relation to the functions of the departments of government, the judicial system and the Bar; and to that end, the committee may operate an information bureau and utilize the facilities of the media of public communication. Section 62. Committee on Inter-Professional and Business Relations. - This committee shall maintain liaison between the legal profession and other professions as well as business groups in order to acquaint the latter on the nature and proper scope of the practice of law. Section 63. Committee on Books and Publications. - This committee shall make studies of, and submit recommendations on matters and materials for publication, and ways and means of assisting in the efficient publications of legal literature at reasonable costs, and of discouraging unnecessary publications or duplications thereof. Section 64. Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law. - This committee shall keep the Integrated Bar informed with respect to the practice of law by unauthorized persons and entities, as well as the participation therein of members of the Bar, and recommend ways and means for the elimination and prevention of unauthorized practice of law. Section 65. Committee on Law Reporting. - This committee shall examine and appraise methods of reporting and disseminating legislation, presidential decrees, court decisions, the Rules of Court, and decisions of administrative tribunals and agencies, with particular emphasis on the correction of deficiencies; conduct a continuing study and evaluation of corresponding trends and reforms in other jurisdictions; and submit appropriate recommendations thereon. Section 66. Public statements. - No committee or member thereof shall publicly express any opinion or conclusion respecting the assigned functions or work of the committee without previous authorization from the Board of Governors or the Executive Committee. Section 67. Finances of committees. - Every committee shall file with the Secretary of the Integrated Bar a detailed statement setting forth necessary data on the funds required in connection with its work for consideration and action by the Board of Governors. No committee shall incur any obligation payable by the Integrated Bar without the Board's prior approval. ARTICLE IX [Sections 68 to 75] FISCAL CONTROL Section 68. Fiscal year. - The Integrated Bar shall operate on a fiscal year beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each year. (As amended pursuant to Bar Matter No. 668). Section 69. Budget committee. - The President, with the approval of the Board of Governors, shall appoint a budget committee consisting of not less than three or more than five Governors, with the Executive Vice President as chairman, whose responsibility shall be the preparation of the annual budget. Section 70. Preparation and approval of the budget. - The preparation, consideration, approval and publication of the budget shall be in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Board. Section 71. Automatic re-enactment. - If by the end of any fiscal year, the Board shall have failed to pass the budget for the ensuing fiscal year, the budget for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed re-enacted and shall remain in force and effect until a new budget is adopted by the Board. Section 72. Amendment to the budget. - The Board may, from time to time, amend the budget in order to provide funds for necessary expenditures: Provided, however, that the total of the increases made in the items of the budget, including new items created by such amendments, shall not exceed ten percent of the total estimated income of the Integrated Bar for the current fiscal year. If the proposed amendments shall cause the total of the increases and the new items to exceed such limitation, the same procedure required for the adoption of the original budget shall be followed. Section 73. Disbursements. - No disbursement shall be made except in accordance with the budget. Section 74. Unexpended balances. - All unexpended balances of appropriations shall revert at the end of every fiscal year to the funds from which they were appropriated. Section 75. Accounting and audit. - The Board shall cause books of accounts to be kept and maintained in accordance with sound accounting practices. An annual external audit of all funds, accounts, receipts and disbursements of the Integrated Bar shall be made without delay after the end of every fiscal year. A summary of such audit shall be published in the following September issue of the Journal of the Integrated Bar. ARTICLE X [Section 76] JOURNAL Section 76. Journal of the Integrated Bar. - The Board of Governors shall cause to be published a quarterly Journal, and to this end shall be assisted by a board of editorial consultants, the members of which shall be appointed by the President, with the consent of the Board. The editorial consultants shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board. Every member of the Integrated Bar is entitled to receive a free copy of every issue of the Journal. ARTICLE XI [Section 77] AMENDMENTS Section 77. Amendments. - These By-Laws may be amended, modified or repealed by the Supreme Court motu proprio or upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors. ARTICLE XII [Section 78] EFFECTIVITY Section 78. Effectivity. - These By-Laws shall take effect on November 1, 1974. The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation