I have offered to the local officials of Las Pinas City the pro bono help of the local Bar to guide the city in developing a CODE OF ORDINANCES, as part of the people’s right of access to public information, due process of law, equal protection of the law, and access to the justice system. For unknown reasons, the suggestion was unheeded and no reply was given by its Mayor, Vice Mayor, or City Legal Officer.
LAS PINAS CITY BAR ASSOCIATION (LPBA), INC[1].
Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Avenue
Philamlife Village, Las Pinas City 1743, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (632) 8725443 & 8742539; Mobile: (0 63 920) 326 8824
Email: lcmlaw@gmail.com,
Website: http://groups.msn.com/laspinascitybarassociation
March 13, 2007
Hon. Mayor IMELDA AGUILAR
City Hall
Las Pinas City
(via fax)
Hon. Vice Mayor LUIS BUSTAMANTE
Presiding Officer, City Council (Sanggunian)
City Hall
Las Pinas City
(via fax)
Re : OFFICIAL CODIFICATION OF LAS PINAS CITY ORDINANCES,
IMPLEMENTING RULES, CIRCULARS, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND
LEGISLATIVE ISSUANCES
Mabuhay:
I respectfully suggest the official codification of past and present all Las Pinas City ordinances and resolutions of the Las Pinas City Council (Sanggunian), as well as all the past and present administrative issuances, circulars and implementing rules of the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the Vice Mayor.
If necessary, an ad hoc committee composed of law-educated councilors and department heads be constituted for the said purpose, and that external legal consultants from the local IBP Chapter, the Las Pinas City Bar Association (LPBA), and the local college of law in the City be invited as consultants.
Sufficient funds should be appropriated by the local government for the said significant endeavor.
Copies of the final printed version of the Las Pinas City law code should be distributed for free to all city councilors, all barangay chairmen and Kagawads, all department heads and their assistants in the city hall, ranking local police officers, the jail wardens, all city prosecutors, the
directors and officers of the IBP chapter and the LPBA, Rep. Cynthia Villar, Sen. Manuel Villar, the DILG Secretary, the DOJ Secretary, the Supreme Court library, the National Library, and Malacanang Palace.
Copies thereof may also be sold at cost by the staff of the office of the mayor to all lawyers, businessmen, researchers, and other persons who might be interested to purchase the same, for their future reference.
The Las Pinas City law code will form part of the legal history of the City and of the legal archives of the country itself, for posterity.
A citizenry that is well grounded on practical legal education is a productive partner of Government in nation building.
The foregoing educational proposals are being made pursuant to the constitutional right of the citizenry to be informed on matters of public interest and are founded on the doctrines of transparency, accountability, and good governance.
I further propose that the old website of our City be upgraded and that the final (digital) version of the Las Pinas City law code be posted on the website for easier access by the local and foreign publics.
I shall appreciate your prompt official feedback on the above suggestion within 15 days from receipt hereof, for my information and follow-up action.
May your day be blessed, happy, and liberated. Thank you.
Sincerely.
Atty. MANUEL J. LASERNA JR.
Founder, LPBA, 2001
Director, LPBA, 2001-07
Past Vice Pres., IBP PPLM Chapter, 2005-07
Member of the Board of Directors,
IBP PPLM Chapter, 1995-2007
Copy Furnished via Fax:
LPBA Board and Officers
Rep. Cynthia Villar
Sen. Manuel Villar
DILG Secretary
Office of the City Prosecutor
RTC OCC
RTC Executive Judge
City Legal Officer
Chief of Police
[1] LPBA motto: “INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.” Author of the motto is Atty. Rodelo Poltan.
