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.    

It is a day of grief for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as one of its operatives died in the line of duty. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez identified the fallen agent as Intelligence Officer I Raffy Escobido, 31 years old, who was assigned at the PDEA Regional Office IV-A Regional Special Enforcement Team 2. He was a member of the Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC) Class 2017-11 “Gandilan” of the PDEA Academy. Agent Escobido passed away while undergoing intensive care in a hospital. He succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head he suffered during a buy-bust operation that turned into a shootout with two heavily-armed drug personalities in Calamba City, Laguna in the evening of July 20, 2025. Onboard their vehicle, the suspects were able to elude arrest, prompting a massive manhunt operation against them. Undersecretary Nerez ordered the national and regional offices of the Agency to put their colors on half-mast as an expression of solidarity and mourning over Escobido’s death. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely loss of one of our own. We extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in eternal peace”, he said. “PDEA will make sure that Escobido’s death will not be in vain. We will remain unfaltering on the ideals he died for. This will only heighten our resolve to pursue every member of the illegal drugs industry. For those behind this dastardly act, we will not rest until you face the full force of the law”, the PDEA Chief warned.  

By Ruben A.Veloria SAN FELIPE, Zambales– Local officials here expressed fear on Tuesday over the safety of the two municipalities along Sto. Tomas River as portions of the mega dikes have been damaged by strong current of water flowing downstream after days southwest monsoon. The concerns of the officials were raised after Zambales Provincial Engineer Domingo Mariano, together with San Felipe Mayor Reinhard “Hart” E. Jeresano inspected mega dike’s condition in after days of heavy rain in the area. The inspection revealed that portions of the Santo Tomas River’s (also known as San Felipe River) dike were already damaged or partly collapsed. Emergency repairs and sandbagging were immediately initiated to prevent further encroachment. Engr. Mariano told reporters that currently the river bed is about 15 to 30 meters higher than the farmlands and the communities of San Felipe and San Narciso on the other sides of the dike. Mariano said that these communities will be the first to hit by massive flooding if strong current continue to damage and breached portions of the megadike.  “In San Felipe the depth of the farmlands from the river bed is 15 meters, while in San Narciso side is 25-30 meters,” Mariano said, adding that should the dike ultimately gave up, a massive rush of water mixed with sand will flow into the communities destroying properties and endangering the lives of the residents. Earlier this week, Mayor Jeresano, who conducted regular inspections of the dike since heavy rains affected the province, especially in the upper portions of Santo Tomas River, discovered that some portions of the dike were already damaged by strong downstream water current. The mayor reported the findings to the Office of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and requested immediate repair and continues monitoring of the dike, especially of the damaged portions. Provincial Engineering Office in response to Gov. Ebdane’s instruction immediately deployed several heavy equipment to the area and assured the public that repair activities have already started. “We will continue to monitor the dikes. Early detection and assessment is crucial in this time of situation,: Mariano said. The officials called on all municipal officials, barangay officials and residents to be more vigilant and alert for any emergency announcements.