VETERAN lawyer Antonio “Tony” Pido has been named as the new national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, succeeding Burt Estrada whose 4-year term ended last June 30.
Pido, who used to be the IBP’s executive vice president and governor for the Eastern Visayas region, was formally inducted by the Supreme Court during its en banc session last Tuesday.
He is a member of the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 1982 and the Order of Purple Feather Honor Society.
In his inaugural speech, the Samar native said the IBP must speak “on the legal issues affecting our nation and our communities, including the West Philippine Sea.
“We have legal issues on our territorial seas which have been adversely affecting subsistence fishermen against foreign intrusion. This is guaranteed to be protected under Section 7, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution and the IBP has the public responsibility to do its share in making people aware of what the law on the matter is all geared towards upholding the rule of law in the Philippines,” he said.
“The IBP shall not shy away from speaking with one voice on this legal issue,” he added.
To recall, the Aquino administration filed a case against China challenging its expansive claims in the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, under its so-called nine-dash line.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissed Beijing’s claims and ruled in Manila’s favor.
However, China refused to honor the arbitral ruling and insisted on bilateral talks to resolve the maritime dispute while continuing its aggressive activities in the WPS.
Pido also said the IBP must take a stand on the government’s obligation to “uphold human rights.”
