IBP says ’Bikoy’ is not a client

MANILA, Philippines – Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos that accused President Rodrigo Duterte’s relatives and allies of involvement in the illegal drugs trade, is not yet a client of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the organization’s national president said Monday.

Advincula surfaced at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday afternoon.

Asked if the IBP will extend legal assistance to Advincula, IBP national president Abdiel Fajardo said the National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) will decide on the matter since it is an autonomous body.

“Ang NCLA po ay some kind of an automomous body from IBP. Hindi yan ire-review ng board of governors ng IBP kung pag-handle ng mga kaso… sila (NCLA) po ang mage-evaluate niyan kung ire-represent nila ang isang indibidwal,” Fajardo said.

NCLA head June Ambrocio said Advincula visited the organization’s office to merely seek legal assistance.

Advincula was accompanied by nuns when he arrived at the IBP.

“Ngayon lang po talaga siya dumating dito sa amin sa National Center for Legal Aid para humingi ng tulong,” Ambrocio said.

“Nainterview po namin siya, napagtanto namin kung ano ang kanyang sasabihin pero syempre may proseso pa rin po kami sa pag-evaluate ng isang kliyente,” Ambrocio added. /gsg