Title
Supreme Court
Reorganizing the Cabinet Secretariat
Law
Executive Order No. 237
Decision Date
Jul 22, 1987
An Executive Order establishes the Cabinet Secretariat to provide technical support to the President and facilitate Cabinet meetings, with responsibilities including information provision, administrative support, and research, among others. The Cabinet Secretary will head the Secretariat and ensure qualified individuals are appointed, while existing officers will continue in a hold-over capacity and separated employees will receive retirement benefits or separation pay.

Law Summary

Creation and Nature of the Cabinet Secretariat

  • The Cabinet Secretariat is established as an integral part of the Office of the President.
  • It is tasked with assisting the President in setting agenda topics and facilitating Cabinet discussions.

Powers and Functions of the Cabinet Secretariat

  • Provide timely and organized information on issues requiring Cabinet decisions.
  • Offer conference and administrative support to the Cabinet and related committees.
  • Conduct technical research and special studies on policy issues at the Cabinet's request.
  • Maintain efficient records management, including a Cabinet Archives and library.
  • Certify resolutions achieved during Cabinet meetings.
  • Exercise additional functions as authorized by law or presidential directives.

Organizational Structure

  • Headed by a Cabinet Secretary with the rank and emolument of a Secretary.
  • Supported by a Cabinet Undersecretary with the rank of Undersecretary.
  • Two main staffs: Technical Affairs Staff and Conference Affairs Staff, each led by a Presidential Staff Director.
  • Cabinet Secretary is empowered to delineate functional responsibilities of staff.

Staffing and Personnel Policies

  • Emphasis on appointing highly qualified technical and professional personnel.
  • Preference to draw personnel from existing Cabinet Secretariat members, subject to qualifications.

Transition and Staffing Pattern

  • Incumbent officers and employees continue duties temporarily upon reorganization with corresponding compensation.
  • The Cabinet Secretary must approve new position structure within 120 days and fill authorized positions with regular appointments.
  • Incumbents not included in the new structure or not reappointed shall be separated with appropriate retirement or separation benefits.
  • Separation pay is capped at twelve (12) months of salary.

Funding Provisions

  • Appropriations and plantilla items from the defunct Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Standing Committee are transferred to the new Cabinet Secretariat.

Transfer of Records and Assets

  • All applicable records, assets, and equipment from the defunct entities are transferred to the Cabinet Secretariat.

Inter-Agency Assistance

  • The Cabinet Secretary may request support from any government department, bureau, office, agency, committee, council, or instrumentality as needed.

Legal Safeguards

  • A severability clause ensures that invalidation of any part of the order does not affect other provisions if they can still function independently.
  • A repealing clause abrogates any inconsistent laws, ordinances, rules, or issuances.

Effective Date

  • The Executive Order takes immediate effect upon approval on July 22, 1987.

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