The PBA Board, Officers and Council of Advisers marked their 2023 Induction in the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court on 6 February 2023. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Honorable Alexander G. Gesmundo, was the inducting officer and Speaker. Justice Jhosep Lopez solemnly witnessed the Rites.
Inducted as Trustees of the 131 year old Association were Jose Luis V. Agcaoili, Joel Raymond R. Ayson, Chrysilla Carissa P. Bautista, Rodelle B. Bolante, Peter Irving C. Corvera, Rico V. Domingo, Israfel D. Fagela, Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo, Ernestine Carmen Jo D. Villareal-Fernando, Alfredo John B. Molo III, Miguel Luis H. Orosa, Victor E.M. Pangilinan, Joseph Manolo R. Rebano, Maria Teresita Geraldine C. Sison Go, and Arnel Victor C. Valeña.
Inducted as Officers were Ernestine Carmen Jo D. Villareal-Fernando – President, Joel Raymond R. Ayson – 1st Vice President, Peter Irving C. Corvera – 2nd Vice President, Joseph Manolo R. Rebano – 3rd Vice President, Rodolfo A. Gamboa – Vice President for Administration & Finance, Chrysilla Carissa P. Bautista – Treasurer, Victor Emmanuel M. Pangilinan – Assistant Treasurer, Arnel Victor C. Valeña – Corporate Secretary, Israfel D. Fagela – Assistant Corporate Secretary
Inducted as Advisers were Avelino J. Cruz, Jr., Rodel A. Cruz, Ruben O. Fruto, Llewellyn L. Llanillo and Fina Bernadette Dela Cuesta-Tantuico.
In the Adjournment, Atty. Bing-Bing Villareal-Fernando remarked on the robust activities of the PBA in January 2023 alone, with the members opening the term with the submission to the Supreme Court of their studied and elegantly phrased position on the proposed CPRA (Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability). The PBA Legislation and Law Reforms Committee also ensured that the PBA Position on Constitutional Amendments were duly submitted to the pertinent Committee of the House of Representatives.
In the private sector, the PBA participated as convenor in the Pilipinas GoDigital Movement through the PBA Business Law Committee. The PBA also discussed partnerships for female organizational linkages via FINEX (Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines). Atty. Villareal-Fernando is the Sixth Female President of the PBA.
With respect to the PBA Committee on Legal Aid, it continues its initiatives as does the PBA Environmental Committee. The PBA also looks forward to even more activities for the year including the revival of the Golf Tournament in carefully Covid-curated circumstances.
The Board and Officers subsequently adjourned to the elegant and storied Casino Español of the city of Manila where meetings continued.
