MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to further strengthen the powers of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).
Voting 162-10, the House approved House Bill 7376, or the proposed OSG Charter, which seeks to further strengthen the Office of the Solicitor General by increasing its powers and functions, and redefining, expanding, and rationalizing its organization.
Under the bill, the OGCC and the PCGG shall be abolished and their respective powers shall be transferred to the OSG.
This means that the legal representation of the government, its agencies, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) and officials and agents acting in their official capacity and the powers and functions of the PCGG shall be consolidated in the OSG.
Affected personnel of the OGCC and the PCGG, who will not be absorbed into the new staffing pattern of the OSG, shall be given the option to avail of the retirement and separation package.
The bill also provides for the creation of at least 50 legal divisions in the OSG, each of which shall be headed by an Assistant Solicitor General and shall consist of at least 10 lawyers and such other personnel.
Survivorship benefits for the Solicitor General, Assistant Solicitor Generals and State Solicitors shall be provided. (PNA)
