The 2024 LAS Lawyers Convergence recently brought together legal minds from across the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in a dynamic and enriching capacity-building program held at Harolds Evotel from June 3 to June 6, 2024. This annual event united the Legal Affairs Service (LAS) from the CDA Head Office and legal officers from the Extension Offices for a series of insightful workshops and collaborative sessions aimed at enhancing their expertise and effectiveness in supporting the cooperative sector. Centered around the theme “Beyond Cases, Towards Solutions: LAS for a Stronger Cooperative Movement”, this year’s Convergence aimed to focus on proactive problem-solving and strategic support to strengthen the cooperative movement in the Philippines.
Day One: All about Intellectual Property Rights
The opening day on June 3 set the stage with sessions dedicated to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), featuring experts from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Ms. Emmelina C. Masanque, Assistant Division Chief of the IPOPHL-IP Management and Technology Transfer Division, introduced the basics of IPR and the trademark and patent registration process. This foundational knowledge was expanded upon by Atty. Francisco Viceni II G. Alba II, Attorney IV from the IPOPHL Office of the Director – Bureau of Legal Affairs, who discussed IPOPHL’s jurisdictional cases and their use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms. Atty. Marlita V. Dagsa, Chief of the IPOPHL IP Rights Enforcement Office concluded the day with a lecture on IPR enforcement, providing attendees with a thorough understanding of the legal landscape surrounding intellectual property.
Day Two: Investigation and Technical Writing
On June 4, the focus shifted to honing investigative skills. Atty. Vivian B. Calalo-Macapagal, Chief Counsel and Special Prosecutor from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shared insights into the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department’s procedures, comparing and contrasting them with the CDA’s. This was followed by Atty. Analiza C. Sulpot, CPA, CDS II and Acting Accountant of the CDA Region X Extension Office, who highlighted the common red flags in financial documents subject to investigation.
In the afternoon, CDA Adjudication Division Chief Atty. Ma. Caridad R. Dela Cruz-Graza guided participants through drafting Notices of Charge and Investigation Reports under the CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure, culminating in an interactive workshop.
Day Three: Prosecution and Trial Techniques
June 5 was packed with activities. It started off with Atty. Carl De Liz L. Acosta, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer from the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon, who delved into case build-up, cross-examination, and document evaluation, drawing on relevant provisions of the Rules of Court and CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure. Participants engaged in a simulation exercise, role-playing as complainants and respondents in an adjudication hearing, followed by a feedback session on their performance and their workshop outputs. Thereafter, LAS Deputy Administrator Atty. Leah B. Banagui-Han presented the analysis of the submitted Mid-Year Accomplishment Reports in the presence of Asec. Vergel M. Hilario, Board Member III and Head of the Human Services: Health, Housing, Workers, and Labor Services Cluster, who graced the afternoon session.
Day Four: Synthesis and Inspiration
The final day, June 6, began with a synthesis of the previous sessions and summary of agreements presented by the LAS Deputy Administrator to the CDA Board of Directors and the Administrator, as well as the ways forward. In turn, the top leadership of the Authority expressed their deepest appreciation and support to the Legal Affairs Service and to the Legal Sections of the Extension Offices.
Asec. Hilario praised the Convergence’s theme, emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and continuous learning. He supported potential partnerships for training on policy making and policy development with institutions such as the Deutscher Genossenschafts- und Raiffeisenverband e.V. (DGRV).
Asec. Luz H. Yringco, Board Member III and Head of the Credit and Financial Services, Banking, Insurance and Credit Surety Fund Cluster, shared sage words with the participants, encouraging them to reflect on their WHYs. “Everything in life will be easy if you know WHY because when you know WHY you are there, your purpose, it will be very easy to do the WHATs and HOWs”, she advised. “If you do not know your WHYs, it would be very burdensome for you to determine what your role is and how you fit into the organization”.
In addition, Asec. Yringco highlighted the importance of ADR mechanisms in case prevention and aptly volunteered her Office’s assistance to facilitate trainings on the med-con process, aiming to capacitate the cooperative’s mediation-conciliation committees with the CDA’s modules on ADR mechanisms.
CDA Administrator Asec. Santiago S. Lim shared news about the reorganization plan to add plantilla positions for attorneys and legal assistants in the Head Office and Extension Offices, while praising the collegial and participative environment within the LAS and hopes that it can institutionalize the best practices from the regions.
CDA Chairman Usec. Joseph B. Encabo closed the program with a pre-recorded inspirational speech, declaring “This Convergence has not only highlighted the challenges we face but also showcase our capacity to innovate, collaborate, and draw solutions that transcend traditional legal boundaries”. He added, “As legal professionals, our role is crucial in shaping a resilient cooperative ecosystem, one that thrives on strong legal foundations and proactive problem-solving”.
Impact and Outcomes
The 2024 Convergence significantly bolstered participants’ legal acumen, focusing on proactive solutions rather than reactive case management. The emphasis on intellectual property, investigation techniques, and prosecution skills ensures that CDA’s Legal Affairs Service is better equipped to handle complex cooperative issues efficiently. This proactive approach aligns with the overarching theme of moving beyond cases to finding sustainable solutions, ultimately benefiting the cooperative sector by promoting legal clarity and robust support mechanisms.
Participants left with a clear understanding of the importance of strategic legal interventions in cooperative development. The skills and knowledge gained are expected to translate into more effective support for cooperatives, driving growth and stability within the sector. Future plans include follow-up sessions and continued collaboration to ensure the ongoing implementation of the strategies discussed during the Convergence.
Photo Captions
Atty. Vivian B. Calalo-Macapagal shares her extensive knowledge in investigation and prosecution while serving as Chief Counsel and Special Prosecutor of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the SEC-Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD), as well as her experience in cooperative education and organization in her early years.
Atty. Ma. Caridad R. Dela Cruz-Graza, Chief of the CDA Adjudication Division, briefs the participants on their expected Workshop Outputs after delivering her lecture on the drafting of a Notice of Charge in accordance with the CDA Omnibus Rules of Procedure.
Participants were split into two groups during the Workshop, where they were tasked to draft a Notice of Charge and refine the provided Investigation Report in a simulated case.
