City Legal Office- Profile

I. Mandate:

The Office of the City Legal Officer, the chief legal counsel of the City Government is mandated under the Local Government Code to formulate measures for consideration of the Sanggunian Panlungsod and provide legal assistance and support to the City Mayor in carrying out the delivery of basic services and provisions of adequate facilities, develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the City Mayor, implement the same particularly those which have to do with programs and projects related to legal services. In addition to this, the City Legal Officer represents the city government in all civil actions and special proceedings wherein the city or any official thereof, in his official capacity, is a party. When required by the City Mayor or Sangguniang Panlungsod, he drafts ordinances, contracts, bonds, leases and other instruments involving any interest of the city government, and provides comments and recommendations thereon and renders opinion in writing on any question of law. This office is also tasked to investigate of cause to be investigated any city official for administrative neglect or misconduct, or any person, firm or corporation holding any franchise or privilege for failure to comply with any term thereof and recommend appropriate action. It may also initiate and prosecute in the interest of the City Government any civil action on any bond, lease or other contract upon any breach or violation thereof, and may review and submit recommendations on ordinances approved and executive orders issued by the local government unit.

 

II. Vision:
A department of competent and credible civil servants with friendly environment ensuring excellent public service and legal assistance inspired by fair leadership.

 

III. Mission:
The Legal Department is committed to provide quality and professional legal support services promptly, efficiently and with utmost courtesy and to ensure that all laws and ordinances are observed and complied with.


IV. Service Pledge:
We, the officers and employees of the Office of the City Legal Officer, do hereby solemnly pledge to render most effective and fair public service to the best of our ability with love, justice and integrity, while fulfilling our commitment in our Citizen’s Charter and upholding the laws of the land.
So help us God.

 

City Legal Office Organizational Chart

 

 THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED

City Legal Office Citizen's Charter

 

Frontline Services: Availment of Free Legal Opinion
Client: General Public
Requirement: Written Inquiry and other supporting papers
Schedule of Availability: Monday to Friday (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Fees: Free of Charge
Total Processing Time: 5 to 7 days

How to avail of the service:                                                                                  
STEP NO. CLIENT STEP
AGENCY / LGU Action Office Responsible Location of Office Maximum Duration
1 Approaches the Public Assistance & Complaint Desk (PACD) Officer and presents his written legal query;

1. PACDO receives the written query and relevant documents and interviews client;


 
Administrative Division - Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer Office of the City Legal Officer, People's Quadrangle, City Hall, Batangas City 5mins
2 Provides valid proof of identification and contact numbers;

2. PACDO refers the legal query (letter) to the City Legal Officer (CLO) and determines with him the possible schedule of release of the written legal opinion;

Legal Assistant/ Administrative Officer   5mins
    3. PACDO informs the client of the possible date of release of CLO's written legal opinion and asks if client opts to pick-up the letter or received by mail; Administrative Division - Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer Office of the City Legal Officer, People's Quadrangle, City Hall, Batangas City 5mins
3 Decides whether he shall come back for the letter or wait for it by mail; 4. CLO reads and studies the written legal query and refers it to his legal researcher (Legal Assistant) for study;
5. The legal assistant after conducting research drafts the legal opinion and submits the same to the CLO for approval and finality;
City Legal Officer
Legal Assistant
   5mins





2 days
    6. City Legal Officer reviews, revises or modifies the draft and makes his final draft of the opinion based on existing laws, rules and applicable jurisprudence. City Legal Officer        5 days
4 Comes back to claim the written legal opinion or wait for it thru mail and has the option to make follow-ups 7. Releases or mails the written legal opinion. Administrative Division   10mins

 

Frontline Services: Availment of Conflict Settlement or Mediation Services
Client: General Public
Requirement: None
Schedule of Availability: Monday to Friday (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Fees: Free of Charge
Total Processing Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

How to avail of the service:                                                                                
STEP NO. CLIENT STEP
AGENCY / LGU Action Office Responsible Location of Office Maximum Duration
1 Approaches the Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer (PACDO) and states cause/purpose regarding any dispute or conflict;

PACDO accomodates client/s and conducts interview, gets ID's and necessary documents of clients and refers him to the Supervising Administrative Officer.


 
Administrative Division - Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer Office of the City Legal Officer, People's Quadrangle, City Hall, Batangas City 30 minutes
    Supervising Administrative Officer checks the schedule of the City Legal Officer and sets appointments with clients     5mins
2 Confirms the appointment and parties appear at the City Legal Office as scheduled; City Legal Officer hears both sides of the parties involved, considers both statements, opinions and evidences and decides on the basis of existing laws and jurisprudence. Administrative Division - Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer Office of the City Legal Officer, People's Quadrangle, City Hall, Batangas City 1 hour
3 Receives the decision/recommendation made by the City Legal Officer        

 

Frontline Services: Availment of Endorsement Letter to Secure Services from the Public Attorney's Office, Batangas City
Requirement: None
Schedule of Availability: Monday to Friday (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Fees: Free of Charge
Total Processing Time: 1 hour
How to avail of the service:                                                                                  
STEP NO. CLIENT STEP
AGENCY / LGU Action Office Responsible Location of Office Maximum Duration
1 Approaches the Public Assistance & Complaint Desk Officer (PACDO) and states his request;

PACDO accomodates and validates requests if it needs endorsement to the Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Hall of Justice, Batangas City, and if so,refers him to the Supervising Administrative Officer;


 
  Office of the City Legal Officer, People's Quadrangle, City Hall, Batangas City 10 minutes
   

2. Supervising Administrative Officer interviews client and accompanies him to the City Legal Officer (CLO);

3. City Legal Officer (CLO) accomodates the client and makes his hand written letter request for legal assistance addressed to the Chief, Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Hall of Justice, Batangas City.

    15 mins






35 mins
2 Receives the letter request and brings it to the Public Attorney's Office, Hall of Justice, Batangas City       5 mins