The DILG-NCR, through its Legal/Bantay-Korapsyon (BK) program, successfully piloted a Capacity Development Training for Local Government Units aimed at boosting the knowledge and capacity of Local Sanggunians and setting the scope and limits of their authority in their exercise of quasi-judicial functions as provided by law. The training, as part of #GabayLokal, is one of the major technical and capacity development assistance given under the EDUCATE component of the BK Program.

The Training on Strengthening the Knowledge and Capacity of the Local Sanggunian’s Quasi-Judicial Functions was held from November 24 to 25, 2022 at the Municipality of Pateros.

The Sangguniang Bayan ng Pateros attended the training, comprising of the Presiding Officer Vice Mayor Carlo Santos, the twelve (12) regular members and two (2) Ex-Officio members, namely, the Secretary to the Sanggunian Rosauro Ellson, and the legislative staff of the Sanggunian.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, in her opening message, assured the attendees that DILG-NCR would continuously provide assistance and guidance to the National Capital Region’s local government functionaries to enable them to provide efficient and quality public service, while they move towards people-centered and self-reliant local governments.

In his welcome remarks, Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III expressed his sincerest gratitude to DILG-NCR for choosing Pateros as the pilot LGU for the capacity development training. The Mayor stressed that the exercise of the Sangguniang Bayan of their quasi-judicial powers is indispensable in resolving administrative complaints against erring barangay officials. As such, it is a key component in advancing the Municipality’s governance.

For his part, Pateros Sanggunian Presiding Officer VM Santos encouraged the members of the Sanggunian to be receptive to all the learnings that the training offers and to raise queries and concerns that the Sanggunian might have encountered. VM Santos emphasized that the Sanggunian Bayan members must be at the forefront in exercising their quasi-judicial functions correctly as required by law.

Moreover, DILG Pateros Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Jonas James Agot stated that the end goal of the training is for the Sangguniang Bayan to develop strategies and learn creative and innovative courses of action in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities as a quasi-judicial body.

Other DILG-NCR personnel contributed their insights and perspectives to the discussions: LGOO VI/Chief of Staff Abigayle Baligod revisited the structure and composition of the Local Sanggunian and articulated their dual functions as both legislative and quasi-judicial body. LGOO VI Atty. Franie Rios of the DILG Pasay  Field Office elaborated on the nature of the quasi-judicial powers of the Local Sanggunians, defined the scope and limitations in the exercise thereof, and provided the latest jurisprudence on the subject, in addition to the legal opinions of the Department relative to said function.

Adding to the discussions, Atty. Gerlyn Mae Sayson of the DILG Central Office Legal and Legislative Liaison Service elaborated on the guidelines relative to the conduct of the quasi-judicial proceedings in the Sanggunian – including the jurisdiction of the Sanggunian, the grounds for the disciplinary actions, the contents of a decision, the rules on preventive suspension, and the contents of internal rules of procedure for quasi-judicial function.

Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO V, emphasized that the quasi-judicial power of the Sangguniang Bayan, while passive among any other powers of the Sanggunian, is equally important as the rights of the interested parties should be upheld at all times.

In closing, Vice Mayor Santos underscored that this capacity development training will serve as a tool for the Sanggunian in crafting appropriate measures towards building a better and stronger Pateros. 

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