Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 4152)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 4152 is to amend sections one and two of Republic Act No. 2705 as amended, prescribing the duties, qualifications, number, and salaries of the members of the legal staff in the Office of the Secretary of Justice.
The Attorney General of the Philippines is assisted by a Legal Staff composed of a Chief Legal Counsel, two assistant chiefs, four assistant legal counsels, and twenty-six attorneys with various ranks.
Salaries are set according to specified scales in RA 4152, with the assistant legal counsels earning salaries eight hundred pesos less than assistant chiefs, and other attorneys' salaries decreasing in specific amounts compared to higher-ranking positions.
The qualifications, ranks, and salaries for Chief Legal Counsel and assistant chiefs are the same as those prescribed for the first and next ranking assistant solicitors general.
The Legal Staff, through one of its divisions, studies laws on trusts, monopolies, and combinations; drafts necessary legislation; investigates violations; initiates preventive or remedial measures; and represents the Attorney General in judicial proceedings to prevent monopolization.
Yes, except for those in paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of Section 1, members may be called upon to perform solicitor functions or act as city judges with prior approval of the Secretary of Justice, but without additional compensation.
The Legal Staff may be organized into four divisions under the four assistant legal counsels who serve as chiefs of their respective divisions, enhancing efficiency in function discharge.
They have the same powers and authority conferred by law upon prosecuting officers to take punitive or coercive actions against those responsible for violations.
Yes, Section 3 authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to carry out the provisions of the Act.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 20, 1964.