Department of Justice(DOJ)

December 1, 2016 Dear Corina Joyce, Thank you for your request dated Nov 29, 2016 05:55:43 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for gifted citizens' rights. We received your request on Nov 29, 2016 05:55:43 PM and will respond on or before Dec 20, 2016 05:55:43 PM, in accordance with the Executive Order's implementing rules and regulations. Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHQsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEERPSi0xNTkyNzg4MjE2NDMM, for request with ticket number #DOJ-159278821643. Thank you. Respectfully, Maria Belinda Avergonzado FOI Officer

Resending to you our reply to your request for information dated 01 December 2016 for monitoring purposes. Note that this request for information was already acted upon within the 15 day working period. _______________________________________________________________________________ December 14, 2016 Ma’am: Good day! This is to acknowledge the receipt of your query through the eFOI dated December 1, 2016. As to your first inquiry, the different Departments of the Executive Branch are co-equal in nature. The Department of Justice is mandated under Executive Order (EO) 292, the DOJ is the government's principal law agency. As such, the DOJ serves as the government's prosecution arm and administers the government's criminal justice system by investigating crimes, prosecuting offenders and overseeing the correctional system. The DOJ, through its offices and constituent/attached agencies, is also the government's legal counsel and representative in litigations and proceedings requiring the services of a lawyer; implements the Philippines' laws on the admission and stay of aliens within its territory; and provides free legal services to indigent and other qualified citizens. Relative to this, the Department of Justice has no authority over the Department of Education. Both departments have its own mandate and functions. The employment of an applicant in any department will not fall under the mandate of the DOJ. We regret to inform you that we cannot do anything to expedite your application with the Department of Education. As to your second query, please refer to the above-mentioned mandate of the DOJ. We regret that the Department of Justice have no way of persuading a co-equal department. The Department of Education have the discretion to set its own rules, regulations, and policies in hiring its employees. We recommend, however, that you do a follow up with the Division concerned. This is to elucidate that while it is correct that Presidential Proclamation No. 199, s. 1999 states that “It is the aim of the Philippine government to provide every gifted and talented person with opportunities, encouragement, greater attention and assistance to develop his potentials to the fullest” but such statement is a mere public policy citing the basis only for the celebration of “National Week for the Gifted and Talented” and that no grant of rights or privileges can be clearly construed out of the said Presidential Proclamation in favor of gifted and talented persons. As far as your third query is concerned, the Department is sorry to inform you that there is no existing support and programs the Department could extend for cases of a person gifted with wisdom such as yourself to prepare you to become the 17th President of the Philippines simply because such support and programs are outside the mandate of the Department of Justice. The Department fervently bids you well on your pursuit to hone your natural gifts and endeavors for the country. Respectfully, Atty. Erickson H. Balmes (sgd.) Undersecretary CC: Asec. Juvy R. Manwong Department of Justice