Sorsogon hosts 3rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, May 10 (PIA) – Some 115 participants and guests composed of national officers from the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines and prosecutors from across the Bicol region register to the 3^rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention which started yesterday and to last until Friday, May 11.

Provincial Prosecutor Regina Coeli Gabito said participants, visitors and guests were warmly welcomed by Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee himself along with other high-ranking officials in the province.

“The convention is actually an annual activity of the prosecutors specifically here in Bicol where we have an active and well-organized group, the Bicol League of Prosecutors, and for this year, our province serves as the host,” said Fiscal Gabito.

She also said that the primary purpose of the convention is to update the prosecutors of the current issuances of the Department of Justice (DoJ), brainstorming on their works as prosecutors, and at the same time socializing and harmonizing with their co-prosecutors in the whole Bicol region.

“DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima and Prosecutor General Claro M. Arellano of the National Prosecution Service of the DoJ are actually part of the convention, but due to their hectic schedules as they are among the very busy officials of the government, they were not able to make it here during this three-day convention,” she said.

“Sec. De Lima is also set to testify in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona and has to be in the Senate from May 9 and 10, while Prosecutor General Arellano left for Hongkong to present a paper regarding anti-corruption in the international justice community, so they both decided to finally cancel their schedule here in Sorsogon,” Fiscal Gabito added.

The first day yesterday was highlighted by the Corporate Planning and Management Conference as per the Memorandum of the DoJ Secretary dated March 2, 2012 and a dinner, fellowship and socials with Gov. Lee and wife former governor Sally A. Lee.

Sorsogon’s chief prosecutor said that she also took the opportunity to introduce the province of Sorsogon to the prosecutors who are also appreciable of the different tourism sites and products which a particular place offers.

“As a Sorsoganon, I am proud of our ‘bests’ here in the province specifically destinations, products, services and values, and I want our visitors to experience the same so we included in our schedule town hopping activities,” she stressed out.

Among the areas to be visited on the second day, May 10, are Barcelona for its ruins and world heritage site, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake and Gubat for its beaches and resorts.

“I also have invited the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon to put up a stall at the lobby of the Bulwagan ng Katarungan for the entire duration of the activity displaying our local products to give way for our local traders and business establishments to also gain financially” she said. 

On the third and last day, May 11, a fellowship through a short program with City Mayor Leovic Dioneda and city officials at the Sorsogon City Hall in Brgy. Cabid-an will be held. Also, submission to the members and ratification of the Proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the Bicol Prosecutors League will be made with Deputy Regional Prosecutor Jose Demosthenes at the forefront.

The convention will be culminated with a visit to the residence of Senator Francis Escudero in Brgy. Buhatan, Sorsogon City, wherein the senator is expected to deliver a message to the prosecutors.

Fiscal Gabito also expressed her appreciation and thanks to the local leaders here specifically mentioning Sorsogon Gov. Raul R. Lee, former governor and now Executive Director of Sorsogon Provincial Management Office Sally A. Lee, City Mayor Dioneda, Sen. Escudero, Sorsogon’s 1^st District Congressman Salvador H. Escudero II and 2^nd District Congressman Dogracias Ramos, Jr., Barcelona Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Phils. Sorsogon Chapter president Mayor Romeo Fortes, Jr., Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko and Gubat Mayor Ronnel Lim for the full support extended to them and also for making her work easy. (BARecebido)