3rd IBP Mindanao Convention Opens

Exhorting lawyers from Mindanao to be catalysts for "justice, peace and development," Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., of the Philippine Supreme Court, formally opened the 3rd Mindanao Convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

The event hosted by the Davao City IBP Chapter gives lawyers the opportunity to interact and learn. While two days of the convention will be devoted to Continuing Legal Education, the organizers hope that the convention will also focus on the Philippines' deepening fiscal crisis and its impact on Mindanao.

Lawyer Oscar G.C. Breva noted that "with the admission of President Arroyo of the existence of a serious fiscal problem if not a fiscal crisis, we in Mindanao cannot stand the slashing of the national budget at the expense of services and infrastructure that could or should spur our island's economic development, especially if budget cuts are for aggressive military spending." He further observed that "military adventurism in Mindanao that started during martial law has neither resulted in any decisive outcome or clear growth for the island."

In remarks read by lawyer Wendel Avisado, the Davao City Adminitrator, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte urged the establishment of a Bangsa Moro area under the control and administered by Muslim leaders. He believed that this is the key to the attainment of peace, justice and genuine development in Mindanao.