Preamble
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the Philippines, by virtue of its rule-making power and conformably to the provisions of Republic Act No. 6397, has ordained the integration of the Philippine Bar by Resolution of January 9, 1973, for the fundamental purposes of elevating the standards of the legal profession, improving the administration of justice, and enabling the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively; WHEREAS, pursuant to the said Resolution and in accordance with Court Rule 139-A, effective January 16, 1973, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has been organized, its various organs have been established, and its officers, both national and local, have been duly elected and have entered into the exercise and discharge of their respective powers and duties; and WHEREAS, the Integrated Bar, in the pursuit of its lofty objectives, obviously merits the aid and support of the people and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly in the form of direct material and financial assistance, at least during the initial years of its corporate existence; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, and Proclamation No. 1104, dated January 17, 1973, do hereby order and decree as part of the law of the land that: