MANILA — The Supreme Court is allowing some government lawyers to serve as officers in Integrated Bar of the Philippines chapters, although they cannot hold the post of chapter president.

In a resolution dated February 11, 2025, the court en banc approved the request of the IBP Board of Governors to allow government lawyers and deferred the implementation of Section 4 of the Revised By-Laws of the IBP, which prohibits government lawyers from serving for the 2025-2027 term.

The court noted that Section 4 was designed to reinforce the non-political  nature of the IBP and to prohibit  involvement in political activities. 

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“This court’s approval is an exceptional measure in view of the limited time before the scheduled elections and the urgent necessity to ensure that all IBP chapters can validly elect their officers,” the en banc said.

The following government lawyers are still covered by the prohibition:

• Presidential appointees
• National government officials with Salary Grade 26 or higher
• Government-Owned and/or -Controlled Corporation officers with Salary Grade 26 or higher
• Local government officers with SG 25 or higher
• Elected officials
• Prosecutors
• Those employed in the judiciary and in quasi-judicial bodies

The Supreme Court said the revision is "reasonable, as it effectively preserves the IBP’s non-political nature while still allowing qualified government lawyers to serve in other leadership capacities within their respective chapters."