Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9417)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 9417 is to strengthen the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) by expanding and streamlining its bureaucracy, upgrading employee skills, augmenting benefits, and appropriating funds to ensure efficient and effective legal service for the government.
The Office of the Solicitor General shall have at least thirty (30) legal divisions, an increase from the previous fifteen (15) legal divisions.
The administrative structure of the OSG is reorganized into the Financial Management Service, Docket and Case Management Services, and the Human Resources Management Service.
The Solicitor General shall have cabinet rank and the same qualifications, prerogatives, salaries, allowances, benefits and privileges as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals.
The Solicitor General is at salary grade 30 to 31; Assistant Solicitors General at 29 to 30; Senior State Solicitors at 28 to 29; State Solicitors II at 27 to 28; and State Solicitors I at 26 to 27.
Benefits include healthcare services through an HMO, accident insurance during official travels, scholarships for deserving employees, and a provident fund with contributions from both employees and the OSG.
The OSG may cover fees for relevant seminars, professional membership fees for lawyers, registration fees, and other related expenses for completing mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) or continuing professional education (CPE) courses.
Funds come from (i) 5% of monetary awards given by courts to government clients, (ii) 50% of fees collected by the Special Committee on Naturalization, and (iii) other income, fees, and revenues earned by the Office of the Solicitor General.
Special allowances, determined by the Secretary of Budget and Management and the Solicitor General, are granted to the Solicitor General, Assistant Solicitors General, Senior State Solicitors, State Solicitors I and II, and Associate Solicitors I to III. It may not exceed 100% of the basic salary.
All official mail matters and telegrams addressed within the Philippines shall be received, transmitted, and delivered free of charge, provided mail to private persons or non-government offices does not exceed 120 grams.
Any salary increases under existing laws will convert corresponding special allowances into basic salary funded from the OSG's regular appropriations. Excess allowances shall continue to be funded through the trust fund as per Section 11.
Pertinent provisions of Executive Order No. 292, the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, Republic Act No. 9139, certain Executive Orders, and Administrative Orders which are inconsistent with RA 9417 are repealed or amended accordingly.
The Act took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two national newspapers of general circulation, and lapsed into law on March 30, 2007, without the President's signature.