IBP confers lifetime achievement award on former president | The Manila Times

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has recognized the distinguished leadership of one of its former national presidents, Jose Vicente Salazar, who was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the group.

A known anti-human trafficking advocate, Salazar was recognized for his “selfless, dedicated, and invaluable service rendered to, as well as distinguished leadership in the IBP, thereby advancing and promoting the IBP's mission and objectives, and enabling the organization to soar to greater heights during his tenure as National President.”

Salazar served as chairman of the IBP board of governors and was the organization's national president from 2005 to 2007.

It was during his watch that the IBP introduced a free online public service portal called “e-legal assistance.”

Salazar also served as undersecretary of the Department of Justice and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

He relinquished the DICT post in December 2022 after deciding to return to private practice.

Aside from being an advocate of cybersecurity, Salazar is also an active campaigner for clean, honest, and fair elections and a prime mover in the fight against human trafficking.

Salazar's professional involvement in the battle against human trafficking began soon after his appointment in the DoJ where he was in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

He also sat as chairman of the National Program Steering Committee of the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines.

Salazar was also recognized for his contribution in paving the way for the Philippines to move up from a poor Tier 2 Watchlist to top-tier status (Tier 1) in the worldwide index on the fight against human trafficking report issued annually by the State Department of the United States government.