Office of The Solicitor General

OFF I C E O F T HE
S OL IC I T O R G E N E RA L
BY GROUP 2
 ABOUT THE OFFICE
 The Office of the Solicitor General is an independent and autonomous office
attached to the Department of Justice. Sec.1, Executive Order No. 300, July 26,
1987
 Although the OSG is attached to the DOJ, the OSG is not a constituent unit of
the DOJ. The DOJ's authority, control and supervision over the OSG are limited
only to budgetary purposes.
 The OSG is headed by the Solicitor General, who is the principal law officer and
legal defender of the Government. He is assisted by a Legal Staff composed of at
least thirty (30) Assistant Solicitors General, each heading a legal division. Each
division shall consist of ten (10) lawyers and such other personnel as may be
necessary for the office to effectively carry out its functions.[4]
 Mandates of the OSG
The OSG represents the Government of the Philippines, its agencies and instrumentalities and its
officials and agents in any litigation, proceeding, investigation or matter requiring the services of
lawyers. When authorized by the President or head of the office concerned, it shall also represent
government owned or controlled corporations. The Office of the Solicitor General shall discharge
duties requiring the services of lawyers. It shall have the following specific powers and functions –
1.Represent the Government in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in all criminal
proceedings; represent the Government and its officers in the Supreme Court, the Court of
Appeals, and all other courts or tribunals in all civil actions and special proceedings in which the
Government or any officer thereof in his official capacity is a party.
2.Investigate, initiate court action, or in any manner proceed against any person, corporation or
firm for the enforcement of any contract, bond, guarantee, mortgage, pledge or other collateral
executed in favor of the Government. Where proceedings are to be conducted outside of the
Philippines the Solicitor General may employ counsel to assist in the discharge of the
aforementioned responsibilities.
3.Appear in any court in any action involving the validity of any treaty, law, executive order or
proclamation, rule or regulation when in his judgment his intervention is necessary or when
requested by the Court.
4.Appear in all proceedings involving the acquisition or loss of Philippine citizenship.
5.Represent the Government in all land registration and related proceedings. Institute actions for the
reversion to the Government of lands of the public domain and improvements thereon as well as lands
held in violation of the Constitution.
6.Prepare, upon request of the President or other proper officer of the National Government, rules and
guidelines for government entities governing the preparation of contracts, making investments,
undertaking of transactions, and drafting of forms or other writings needed for official use, with the end in
view of facilitating their enforcement and insuring that they are entered into or prepared conformably with
law and for the best interests of the public.
7.Deputize, whenever in the opinion of the Solicitor General the public interest requires, any provincial or
city fiscal to assist him in the performance of any function or discharge of any duty incumbent upon him,
within the jurisdiction of the aforesaid provincial or city fiscal. When so deputized, the fiscal shall be
under the control and supervision of the Solicitor General with regard to the conduct of the proceedings
assigned to the fiscal, and he may be required to render reports or furnish information regarding the
assignment.
8.Deputize legal officers of government departments, bureaus, agencies and offices to assist the Solicitor
General and appear or represent the Government in cased involving their respective offices, brought
before the courts and exercise supervision and control over such legal Officers with respect to such
cases.
9.Call on any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government for such service,
assistance and cooperation as may be necessary in fulfilling its functions and responsibilities and for this
purpose enlist the services of any government official or employee in the pursuit of his tasks.
10.Represent, upon the instructions of the President, the Republic of the Philippines in international
litigations, negotiations or conferences where the legal position of the Republic must be defended or
presented.
11.Act and represent the Republic and/or the people before any court, tribunal, body or commission in
any matter, action or proceedings which, in his opinion affects the welfare of the people as the ends of
justice may require; and –
12.Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

 Power and Funtion
The Office of the Solicitor General is the "law firm" of the Republic of the Philippines. The
Solicitor General is the principal law officer and legal defender of the Republic of the
Philippines. He shall have the authority and responsibility for the exercise of the Office's
mandate and for the discharge of its duties and functions, and shall have supervision and
control over the Office and its constituent units. He also determines the legal position that
the government will take in the courts and argues in virtually every case in which the
government is a party. It is tasked to represent the people of the Philippines, the Philippine
government, its agencies, instrumentalities, officials, and agents in any litigation,
proceeding, or investigation before the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. When
authorized by the President, he shall also represent government owned or controlled
corporations.

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OFF I C E O F T HE

12.Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

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