CEBU City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez wanted to seek audience with Mayor Tomas Osmeña to clarify his recent order prohibiting city hall lawyers from pursuing private practice.
In a memorandum dated July 1, Osmeña ordered all employees concerned not to practice their profession outside their work at City Hall.
“The authority to engage in the private practice of your profession is revoked effective immediately. Henceforth, you can no longer engage in the private practice of your profession without my written consent or authority,” Osmeña stated in his memorandum order.
Bernaldez said that as a rule, it is the prerogative of the mayor to give the authority to the professionals under city government.
He said that as of now, that is the standing order of the mayor, and so they have to follow.
However, he said they might ask the mayor for reconsideration.
“We may, however, ask for reconsideration nga tagaan mi og higayon nga maka (that we will be given time to) engage og (in) limited practice for (some) reasons,” he said.
He said that their limited practice is helping them address their financial needs, especially that most of the lawyers in the City Legal department have families to take care of.
He also said that handling private cases will also help them enhance their profession.
“Kaning abogado mura sad nig basketball player mosamot ka ka-maayo kun magsigeg practice. Mas maayo kon makapractice once in a while para ma continue ang ability sa usa ka abogado. Mao nay importante gud (Lawyers are like basketball players who excel when they practice always. Much better if we can practice once in a while, so our ability as lawyers will continue. That is important,” he said.
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