Lawyer Josephine Maria Natalaray was recently elected as president of The Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Occidental Chapter.
Other officers elected were: Vice-president Gerry Llena, Secretary Jaime Geolingo, Treasurer Jay Ann Ditchella, AuditorRamon Antonio Pandan and Public Relations Officer Woodro Guanzon. Members of the Board of Directors elected were retired Judge Gorgonio Ibañez, John Orola, and Clodualdo Subaldo. Jr.,Nea Cecilia Quiachon, and Sharon Joy Aquino.
After 25 years, IBP again has a lady president. Lawyer Maida Torre was president and Western Visayas governor in 1994-1996.
Natalaray received her Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts major in Mass Communications from the University of St. La Salle.
This is the first IBPelections combining physical and online voting. The Elections Committee was composed of incumbent president Edmundo Manlapao. Jr. as chair with members Judge Montano Medel, and Clerks of Court Russela Gabalba and alternate Michael Hans Villaester. The Supreme Court appointed observer was Executive Judge Raymond Joseph Javier and alternate, Judge Cyclamen Fernandez. A total of 234 lawyers voted physically and 17 opted to vote online. Overall, 251 lawyers voted online and physical. Strict health protocols were observed during the elections.The elecom chair thanked fellow lawyers for the orderly conduct of the elections.
The new set of officers will start their term of office on April 1. 2021.*
