Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9417)
The primary policy is to protect the rights and promote the welfare of the Filipino worker, and to ensure efficient and effective performance in the legal service of the Government through the expansion and streamlining of the Office of the Solicitor General.
The Office of the Solicitor General shall have at least thirty (30) legal divisions.
Each division is permanently headed by an Assistant Solicitor General.
The administrative structure is reorganized into the Financial Management Service, Docket and Case Management Services, and the Human Resources Management Service.
The Solicitor General shall have a cabinet rank with the same qualifications, prerogatives, salaries, allowances, benefits, and privileges as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals.
Solicitor General is assigned salary grade 30 to 31, and Assistant Solicitor General is assigned salary grade 29 to 30.
Benefits include health care services through a health maintenance organization (HMO), accident insurance during official travels, scholarships for deserving employees, and a provident fund contributed by both employees and the office.
Funds come from 5% of monetary awards given by courts to government clients, 50% of fees collected by the Special Committee on Naturalization, and all other income, fees, and revenues earned and collected by the Office.
Yes, legal staff are allowed to receive honoraria and allowances from client government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities consistent with Executive Order No. 292.
All official mail and telegrams addressed within the Philippines are received, transmitted, and delivered free of charge, provided that those addressed to private persons or nongovernment offices do not exceed 120 grams.
Special allowances are granted to Solicitor General, Assistant Solicitors General, and other solicitors in amounts to be determined by the Secretary of Budget and Management and the Solicitor General, not exceeding 100% of the basic salary.
Special allowances equivalent to the increase in basic salary are converted as part of the basic salary funded from the regular appropriations; any excess continues as allowances funded under the Act.
Scholarships on official time and at the expense of the Office may be awarded to deserving employees based on competitive examination to enhance their academic growth and skills.
Yes, fees for relevant seminars, professional membership fees, registration fees, and related expenses for completion of mandatory continuing legal education and professional education are borne by the Office.
RA 9417 took effect 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 as per the Constitution.