Title
Amendments on Attorney-General's Office Functions
Law
Act No. 523
Decision Date
Nov 17, 1902
Act No. 523 repeals and amends certain sections of Act Numbered One Hundred and Thirty-Six, requiring the Attorney-General to provide written opinions to government officials, appointing assistant attorneys, adjusting salaries, and expediting the enactment of the law.
attorney general
repeal
amendment
A

Amendment on Issuance and Publication of Attorney-General’s Opinions

  • The Attorney-General is mandated to provide written opinions on legal questions to specified government bodies and officials upon written request.
  • Entities entitled to request opinions include: legislative body of the Islands, Chief Executive, heads of the four Executive Departments, Chiefs of Bureaus, trustees of Government institutions, and provincial fiscals.
  • Opinions from the Solicitor-General must be signed by him and approved by the Attorney-General and hold equal force as the Attorney-General’s opinions.
  • The Attorney-General shall edit and publish valuable legal opinions under the supervision of the Secretary of Finance and Justice.
  • Publication details:
    • Printed in English and Spanish.
    • 500 copies per edition with a minimum of 750 pages.
    • Quality to match the Philippine Reports in paper, printing, and binding.
    • Each volume includes head-notes, a complete index, and approved footnotes.
  • Distribution:
    • Copies delivered to key government officials, courts, and offices.
    • Copies are public property for official and public use, not for sale/disposal by recipients.
    • Minimum ten copies kept at the Library of the Philippine Commission.
    • Five copies sent to Congressional Library in Washington.
  • Remaining copies are sold by the Librarian with the price fixed by the Secretary of Finance and Justice; proceeds go to the Insular Treasury.

Provision for Assistant Attorneys in the Attorney-General’s Office

  • The office shall have five assistant attorneys appointed by the Civil Governor with Philippine Commission’s consent.
  • Salaries prescribed for assistant attorneys range from $1,600 to $2,400 annually, varying by position.
  • Duties: Assist the Attorney-General as assigned in legal matters.

Authorization of Special Assistant Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law

  • The Attorney-General may, with approval from the Secretary of Finance and Justice, employ additional attorneys and counselors to aid in official duties.
  • Compensation and terms of employment for these special attorneys are stipulated by agreement with the Attorney-General.
  • They are entitled to reimbursement of actual and necessary travel expenses.
  • The Attorney-General supervises their conduct and proceedings.

Salary Adjustment and Employment Limitation

  • Salary allocated for one employee of class four in the Attorney-General’s office under Act No. 490 is reassigned to an assistant attorney with a $2,250 annual salary.
  • After appointing this assistant attorney, the Attorney-General is prohibited from employing the class four employee previously provided for.

Expedited Enactment and Effectivity

  • Due to public necessity, the passage of this Act is expedited.
  • The Act takes effect immediately upon passage.

This Act serves to clarify and enhance the structure, function, and publication of legal opinions in the Attorney-General’s office, formalize personnel roles with specified remuneration, and provide mechanisms for employing additional legal counsel to support the public interest in the Philippine Islands.


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