The Supreme Court has clarified the rotation of leadership governing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

In a 10-page resolution penned by Justice Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez, the Court En Banc affirmed the election of Atty. Rogelio A. Vinluan on April 25, 2007 by the IBP Board of Governors, as the Executive Vice-President (EVP) for the term 2007-2009, ruling that his election did not violate the “rotation rule.”

The “rotation rule,” embodied in sec. 47, Art. VII of the IBP by-laws, states that all IBP regions must take turns in having a representative as EVP, who shall automatically succeed to the IBP presidency.  It is a product of Bar Matter No. 491, dated October 6, 1989, In the Matter of the Inquiry into the 1989 Elections of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, where the Court restored the former system of having the IBP President and EVP elected by the Board of Governors from among themselves, as well as the right of automatic succession by the EVP to the presidency upon the expiration of their two-year term.

The High Court had acted upon the letter of Atty. Ramon Edison C. Batacan, the IBP Governor for the Eastern Mindanao Region, challenging the election of Atty. Vinluan, IBP Governor for Southern Luzon Region, as Executive Vice-President (EVP) for the term 2007-2009.  Attorney Batacan claimed that the election of Atty. Vinluan was null and void as it violated the “rotation rule.”

Atty. Batacan asserted that since Atty. Pura Angelica Y. Santiago of IBP Southern Luzon had already been validly elected as EVP on June 13, 2005, said region is disqualified from fielding another candidate to the same post until all regions have gotten their turns in holding the position.  According to Atty. Batacan, since Atty. Vinluan comes from IBP Southern Luzon and the other regions have not had their turn in fielding an EVP, Atty. Vinluan’s election as EVP on April 25, 2007 is null and void.

The Court ruled that the case of Atty. Vinluan is an exception to the rotation rule and sustained the action of the Board of Governors in proceeding with the election of its EVP wherein Atty. Vinluan emerged as the winner.  It took note that since Atty. Santiago had voluntarily relinquished her post as EVP seven days after she was elected, and had failed to take her oath of office, the election of Atty. Santiago cannot be considered “one turn” under the rotation rule.

The rotation rule was reinstated in order to “restore the non-political character of the IBP and reduce the temptation of electioneering for the said posts.” (AM No. 07-3-13-SC, In Re: Compliance of IBP Chapters with AO No. 16-2007, Letter-Compliance of Atty. Ramon Edison C. Batacan, February 28, 2008)