By Rachel Magday
NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Atty. Voltaire B. Garcia, who served as the Provincial Legal Officer for the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya for 12 years, has recently taken his oath as the new Governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) for Northern Luzon.
The ceremony took place at the Supreme Court Session Hall in Manila. This event highlights the important role of the IBP, the official organization for all lawyers in the Philippines, which is tasked by the Supreme Court with improving the standards of the legal profession. All practicing lawyers in the country are required to be members of the IBP.
As the IBP Governor for Northern Luzon, Atty. Garcia will oversee the IBP chapters in the provinces under this region, which include Abra, Apayao, Baguio-Benguet, Batanes. Cagayan,Ifugao,Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Quirino. Atty. Garcia has also served as the President of the IBP Nueva Vizcaya chapter, further enhancing his experience and commitment to the legal community.
The oath of office for Atty. Garcia was administered by Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez. He took his oath alongside eight other newly elected IBP Governors: Atty. Dick F. Fernandez (Central Luzon), Atty. Ma. Elena G. Francisco (Greater Manila Region), Atty. Thaddeus E. Venturanza (Southern Luzon), Atty. Randall C. Tabayoyong (Executive Vice President and Governor for Bicolandia), Atty. Patrick V. Santo (Eastern Visayas), Atty. Susanne C. Lacson (Western Visayas), Atty. Roxan G. Apostol (Eastern Mindanao), and Atty. Quirino G. Esguerra, Jr. (Western Mindanao). Atty. Allan G. Panolong was also sworn in as the IBP National President during the same ceremony. All officers will serve until 2027.
The event was attended by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and several other justices of the Supreme Court, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Atty. Garcia has a strong background in public service, having served as the Provincial Legal Officer under three governors: Ruth R. Padilla, Carlos M. Padilla, and Atty. Jose V. Gambito. He resigned from this position recently after being elected as IBP Governor.
His experience will help him effectively represent the lawyers from the 14 provinces in Northern Luzon.
Notably, Atty. Garcia is the second lawyer from Nueva Vizcaya to hold this important role since the Philippine Bar was integrated in 1973, following retired RTC Judge Esther P. Flor. His leadership is expected to strengthen the voice of Northern Luzon lawyers within the IBP’s Board of Governors, which includes representatives from all over the country.
