ON QUASI – JUDICIAL COMPETENCE
(Erico Joseph T. Canete)
The Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) Bohol Chapter, steered by its competent President Hon. Vice Mayor Atty. Jodel Theodore C. Cabahug, CPA, in collaboration with the DILG under Bohol Provincial Director Johnjoan A. Mende, sponsored a seminar with the theme, Local Governance and the Rule of Law: Enhancing the Quasi – Judicial Competence of Local Sanggunians held at Panglao Vista Suites, Dauis, Bohol on July 14-15, 2026. The members of the SB of Baclayon, together with some members of the SB from the different municipalities, were the third of the 4 batches of attendees.
It was an insight-bearing activity considering the need of our SB members to be equipped with knowledge and wisdom on the exercise of its quasi-judicial function. This means the sanggunian has the power to hear and decide administrative cases filed against elective local officials (Section 60 to 68 of RA 7160), on top of its legislative function, that is, power to pass ordinances and resolutions (Section 48 to 59 of RA 7160).
The two-day seminar was divided into three modules namely; (i) the theoretical or substantive aspect referring to the principles, concepts, and knowledge about the topic, (ii) the quasi-judicial process which refers to the recording and handling of the complaint, commencement of investigation (order of hearing), and (iii) the making of a resolution or writing decisions. Prior to the the third module, Atty. Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento, Attorney III, DILG Region VII – our highly skilled and proficient resource person with her charm and humor – engaged the participants per municipality to undergo a mock trial/hearing to test the SB’s ability to handle administrative cases. It was a satisfactory display of knowledge and skills from among the SB members though admittedly, there’s so much to learn for on how to act as a collegial body in exercising quasi (“as if,” “resembling”) judicial power, that is, power to hear cases, examine evidence, and make decision like a court though not a court of law itself.
We salute the efforts of the VMLP Bohol Chapter and the DILG Provincial and Regional Offices for conducting such planting of the seed of knowledge to the minds of our local legislators. It was a “recta ratio agibilium” (rational way of doing things) of our legislators in exercising its function on quasi judicial function to enhance the essence of law as an ordinance of reason for the common good, to quote portion of St. Thomas Aquinas’ definition of law.
Gratitude is likewise expressed to the organizers of the seminar for inviting the secretaries to the sanggunian and staff in the said activity. It was a way to enhance our knowledge and skill as we play an important role in the procedural and records – management functions.
The Bol-anong Kalihim sa Sanggunian (BoKaS), Inc. PLEASES – Bohol Chapter prays that a seminar be conducted to discuss the nitty-gritty of quasi-judicial proceedings relative to the responsibility of the secretaries to the sanggunian.
May this prayer merit approval from the DILG and blessing from other government agencies.