WHEREAS, under the New Republic, national development shall be pursued with renewed dedication and greater determination through a more efficient, effective and economical government;

WHEREAS, the recombination of the Office of the Solicitor General with theMinistry of Justice will improve coordination in the provision of legal services to the Government, particularly with respect to the rendering of legal advice and opinions and defending the Government on legal issues affecting the State; and

WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 1416 as amended, the President is empowered toundertake such organizational and related improvements as may be appropriate in the light of changing circumstances and new developments;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the authority vested in me by Presidential Decree No. 1416 as amended, do hereby order and ordain:

SECTION 1. The Office of the Solicitor General is hereby merged with the Ministry of Justice, and both shall continue to perform their respective functions as are now provided by law. The Office of the Solicitor General shall be directly responsible to the Minister of Justice.

SECTION 2. The Minister of Justice shall also be Attorney General of the Philippines in accordance with Republic Act No. 2705, and as such he is hereby authorized, at his discretion or at the direction ofthe President, to appear before the courts as counsel of the Government, any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or any of its officials, and accordingly prepare, sign and submit the necessary pleadings as are required.

In case of a vacancy in the position of Solicitor General, the Minister of Justice shall act as Solicitor General in a concurrent capacity, unless otherwise determined by the President.

SECTION 3. All laws, decrees, charters, executive orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof that are in conflict with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Any portion or provision of this Executive Order that may be declared unconstitutional shall not have the effect of nullifying the other provisions thereof: Provided, That, such remaining portions can still stand and be given effect in their entirety to accomplish the objectives of this Executive Order.

SECTION 5. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in, the city of Manila, this 30th day of June the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-four.


By the President:

(SGD.) JUAN C. TUVERA
Presidential Executive Assistant