Legal office vows to shorten time to respond to requests

CEBU, Philippines - The City Legal Office has committed to shorten the number of days it renders to respond to requests for legal opinion especially requests coming from the City Council. This after Councilor Alvin Dizon, during the budget review on Thursday, asked the CLO to take action on the council’s request a little quicker so as to hasten their passage of legislative measures on matters that need action from the legislative department.

“I have nothing against the city legal office. In fact, they have been very responsive to the needs of the council. Pero kasagaran man gud sa mga resolutions, kinahanglan og legal opinion. Gusto lang nako ma-fast track ang process aron dali ang trabaho,” Dizon said.

City Attorney Joseph Bernaldez said that they can do it in 10 working days or less depending on the gravity of the legal opinion sought.

He explained they are only maximizing the 15-day period given by the Office of the Ombudsman in accordance with the law governing the proper conduct of government employees.

According to the Ombudsman rule, government offices or employees must act promptly on letters and requests, and comply with the 15-day working period from receipt of these letters or requests. This is to minimize red tape, which leads to graft and corruption and attracts other bad behaviors in the government. (FREEMAN)