Narrative Report (04!25!12)

42
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AT FRAGANTE AND ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE A Narrative Report Presented to the Faculty Philippine College of Criminology In partial fulfillment of the requirements in Practicum 1 & 2, On-the-Job Training By FELIX Z. CAMERINO, JR

Transcript of Narrative Report (04!25!12)

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ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AT FRAGANTE AND ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE

A Narrative Report

Presented to the Faculty

Philippine College of Criminology

In partial fulfillment

of the requirements in Practicum 1 & 2, On-the-Job Training

By

FELIX Z. CAMERINO, JR

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The intern would like to acknowledge, with sincere gratitude all those who

have been key in enabling the intern to complete this Narrative Report.

To Ms. Michele Carbonel, office manager at Fragante and Associates

Law Office for being so facilitating.

To Atty. Felipe Fragante for the empowering opportunities and on-going

mentorship.

To Prof. Mandy Gonzales, for his great leadership in keeping the OJT

program running smoothly and effectively; and, his great considerations in setting

up a custom OJT especially for the intern’s situation.

To Atty. Ramil G. Gabao (Dean of the College of Criminology) and his

team for their determination, focus and eventual success in timely implementing

an empowering OJT program for PCCR students in immediate compliance of

CMO 21 Series of 2005 and CMO 37 Series of 2010.

To Ms. Vivian Oro for the endless inspiration.

FZCJR

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DEDICATION

The intern would like to dedicate this manuscript to all PCCR BACHELOR

OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY students, for use as a reference in

considering their choice of agency in Practicum 1 & 2 and their next career

course of action.

To the intern’s family and friends for their encouragement and overall

support.

To God, our creator for the blessing of all the wonders and challenges of

life.

FZCJR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

TITLE PAGE ............................................................................................... i

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................. ii

DEDICATION .............................................................................................. iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................. iv

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................... v

PART

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

1.1 What is OJT ............................................................................ 1

1.2 Rationale for OJT .................................................................... 3

1.3 Expected Benefits ................................................................... 4

1.4 Reasons for Pursuing Criminology .......................................... 4

1.5 Readiness for OJT: Self-assessment ...................................... 5

1.6 Acronyms ................................................................................ 9

2 THE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT ........................................... 10

2.1 History .................................................................................... 10

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2.2 Mission/Vision: Fundamental Objectives ................................ 11

2.3 Organizational Structure ......................................................... 12

2.4 General Location and Area of Responsibility .......................... 15

3 THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT ........................................................... 17

3.1 Services Offered ........................................................................... 18

3.1.1 Legal Services......................................................................... 18

3.1.2 Real Estate Brokerage ............................................................ 19

3.2 Role as an Intern .......................................................................... 20

3.2.1 Business Process Computing ................................................. 21

3.2.2 Client Acquisition ..................................................................... 21

3.2.3 Paralegal ................................................................................. 22

3.3 Intern-Supervisor Relationship ..................................................... 23

3.4 Qualities of the Host Agency to Emulate ...................................... 23

4 PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE ................................ 25

5 AUXILIARY SERVICES .......................................................................... 26

6 FORMS ................................................................................................... 27

7 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................... 35

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8 PHOTOGRAPHS .................................................................................... 36

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURES PAGE

1 IBP Board of Governors .................................................................. 13

2 Map of the Philippines ..................................................................... 15

3 IBP Regions and Chapters .............................................................. 16

4 Hierarchy of Services Offered ........................................................ 18

5 Affidavit ............................................................................................ 28

6 Affidavit of Desistance .................................................................... 29

7 Special Power of Attorney .............................................................. 30

8 Articles of Incorporation ................................................................. 32

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PART 1

INTRODUCTION

What is OJT

According to Wikipedia.com, on-the-job training (OJT) is a form of job

training and development1. It is defined as a workplace learning which takes

place at a normal working situation, using the actual tools and equipment,

documents or materials that trainees will use when fully trained and are

supervised by a manager or experienced co-worker. On-the-job training has a

general reputation of being the most effective for vocational work.

BusinessDictionary.com2 defines it as, “Employee training at the place of

work while he or she is doing the actual job. Usually a professional trainer (or

sometimes an experienced employee) serves as the course instructor using

hands-on training often supported by formal classroom training.”

In the U.S.A., OJT is legally defined as “an individual's observation of and

participation in given tasks demonstrated by experienced workers for the purpose

of acquiring competency in such tasks3.” It is a common policy for many

employers to require new hires to undergo OJT and even a federal government

mandate for certain jobs.

                                                            1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On‐the‐job_training 2 http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/on‐the‐job‐training‐OJT.html 3 22 CFR 62.2 [Title 22 Foreign Relations; Chapter I‐Department of State; Subchapter G Public Diplomacy and Exchanges; Part 62; Exchange Visitor Program; Subpart A; General Provisions] 

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In the Philippine setting, OJT is also associated with apprenticeship

training and employment of special workers4 with apprenticeship being defined

as “any training on the job supplemented by related theoretical instructions

involving apprenticeable occupations and trades as may be approved by the

Secretary of Labor and Employment”. As such and through the mandates of the

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), OJT (labeled as ‘Practicum’) is a

required subject in Baccalaureate courses.

For the Bachelor of Science in Criminology course, the Practicum is a new

component as contained under CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 215, series of

2005. It is further defined by recently published CMO 37, Series of 20106.

This Narrative Report represents the post-OJT report in partial fulfillment

of the intern’s Practicum coursework.

                                                            4 Omnibus Rules Implementing Labor Code, Book 2, Rule VI, Section 1‐2 5 Criminal Justice Education: Policies and Standards for the Criminology Program (CMO 21, Series of 2005) 6 Guidelines in the Conduct of Practicum (On‐the‐job Training and Community Immersion) Requirement for BS Criminology Students (CMO 37, Series of 2010) 

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Rationale for OJT

As indicated by CMO 37, Series of 20107, the Practicum (OJT and

Community Immersion) is designed to provide practical experiences in any of the

five (5) pillars of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and prescribes the

supervised application of previously studied theories in Criminology. It also aims

to provide the students with an opportunity to understand the economic, social,

and cultural reality of the community, allowing them to interact and relate to the

same.

One can therefore postulate that the rationale is to expose the students to

actual real-life work environment, agency/institutional operations and work

scenarios; prepare them for their profession by discovering their own

capabilities, strengths and weaknesses to thereby help them make career

decisions; adopt appropriate etiquette in interacting with supervisors, workmates,

and clientele; and, earn actual work-hours experience to increase their chances

for employment opportunities after graduating. In a nutshell, OJT is a valuable

step in transitioning the student from the classroom to a professional career.

                                                            7 Supra note 6 

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Expected Benefits

The expected benefits from OJT are many and varied. Those worth mentioning

however are:

• To be exposed first hand to actual situations where lesson learned in the

classroom setting are applied to real-life cases;

• To learn standard practices;

• To understand what problem areas exist for the given focus;

• To get a sense of trends for the given focus (e.g., the types of cases that

gained gradual popularity and their demographics);

• To be exposed to and gain a sense of the nature and “unwritten” practices

of the given focus;

o “Unwritten” in this case are those creative but legal techniques to

achieve a specific goal

• To see get a sense of the types of idiosyncrasies with persons and entities

for the given focus;

• To establish a long term relationship with the OJT employer; and

• To find ways of contributing to the OJT employer.

Reason for pursuing Criminology

The long-term goal is to pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in Law and

ultimately, to be an officer of the court as a lawyer in the practice thereof.

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As a pre-requisite and a first step, a pre-law degree in a related course

that provides a strong foundation in political and criminal law is sought. A degree

in Political Science was initially considered but Criminology eventually won favor

in the fact that it not only offered coursework in the same five (5) criminal law and

jurisprudence (CLJ) classes as that taught in law school, but also on the five (5)

pillars of the Criminal Justice System; a number of police sciences (for which

arrest and prosecution depends on); in the traditional social science of

Criminology; and, a number of other related coursework.

Readiness for OJT: Self-assessment

The agency offered for the Practicum is a small private law office (the

firm). The areas practiced at this law firm varied according to the three (3) base

areas of law: Criminal, Civil and Administrative--most cases handled being Civil

in nature with Criminal a close second and Administrative being less frequent.

As a small office, exposure to all administrative and clerical activities (and

levels thereof) in the day-to-day operations is evident. From preparing the most

complex case folder, to composing and compiling legal documents, to filing,

answering phones, and running around (e.g., for legal filings, hearings, etc).

As such, one can easily premise that readiness is measured on whether

the completed coursework to-date at PCCR is related to and commensurate with

the above environment.

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In looking at the General Education subjects at PCCR, the many English

subjects (e.g., English composition, Memorandum and report writing techniques,

etc.), Math, and Computer (namely, office applications) in its curriculum appears

to provide the baseline for basic office administration readiness.

For matters related to the OJT agency functions mentioned (i.e., practice

of law), many of the upper division coursework in Criminology establishes the

intern’s readiness. For example, Political Science with Philippine Constitution

provides the base knowledge of the Philippine Government framework and the

fundamental rights of all according to the Constitution; the five (5) pillars of the

Philippine Criminal Justice System which gives the intern a better perspective of

the entire Criminal Justice System; and, the five (5) CLJ subjects which

establishes with the intern the penal laws and the procedural applications

thereof. The other Criminology coursework can also be easily applied accordingly

towards readiness. For example, in legal cases involving toxicology (covered by

the Natural Sciences coursework), fire and arson, and even in solving logical

brain-teasers (covered by the Philosophy/Logic coursework).

From the personal standpoint of the intern, readiness is viewed as a

milestone in his continuing education. As such, being ready is a goal. Much the

same as final examinations are a test of readiness for completion of a given

subject based on effective learning, OJT too is viewed as a test to determine

one’s probability of assimilating effectively into the given profession based on the

knowledge and skills attained in college.

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On the question of whether the intern is ready for OJT, it is submitted that

the intern confidently affirms that he is. In fact, he further submits that he is ready

to be employed as an individual contributor in any of the available capacities

(besides a lawyer), supporting lawyers in a law office. Instances that support this

follows:

On the first month, the intern was quick to familiarize himself with the

types of cases handled in the firm, even quick to participate in some instances in

creating case files.

It was also during this period when the intern was presented with the

opportunity to assist in upgrading the firm’s communications (via the Internet)

and resolve system issues to which he quickly and diligently pursued to fruition.

The by-products of the intern’s effort include the establishment of the

firm’s internet presence (by way of social networking), improved electronic

communications with clients (email messaging and file exchange), online access

to research systems including the firm’s newly acquired password-protected

access (for which I coordinated) to SEC-filed documents like corporation by-laws,

articles of incorporation, etc..

Additional communication tools, procedures and techniques were also

established by the intern. One of which is a lead generation system operated by

the intern from which prospective clients are gained. The process involves the

offer of free legal consultation (by email and other non-real time online means).

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Answers to the questions/issues posed are researched by the intern, checked by

the principal partner (Atty. Fragante) for accuracy, and replied back to the

inquiring person. Those with more complex situations usually end up requiring

further assistance for which fee-based consultations are scheduled. From which,

prospective clients may be converted to actual clients. During these

consultations, the intern is allowed the opportunity to participate as an observer.

This entire process has proven effective in fact that the intern has been

offered an indefinite commission-based marketing role for the firm in the process.

On the second month of the intern’s OJT term, he was also presented with

an opportunity to provide hands-on assistance for a criminal case involving a

lawyer motorist who struck a bicyclist with her car as the bicyclist was crossing

the street. The firm represented the bicyclist. Atty. Fragante tasked the intern to

be present at the hearings to which he did, even participating in the settlement

negotiations and preparing the necessary instruments thereof (affidavit of

desistance) towards the case’ successful conclusion.

All of these achievements would not be possible without effectively

learning and assimilating with the working environment. The intern’s ability to

adapt, step up above and beyond expectations, and complete the tasks

requested of him, as cited in the above instances are proof of the intern’s

readiness.

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Acronyms

AOR Area of Responsibility

CALMANA Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela

CHED Commission on Higher Education

CJS Criminal Justice System

CLJ Criminal Law and Jurisprudence

CMO CHED Memorandum Order

IBP Integrated Bar of the Philippines

JD Juris Doctor

LLB Bachelor of Laws

LLM Master of Laws

OJT On-the-job Training

PCCR Philippine College of Criminology

PPLM Pasay-Parañaque-Las Piñas-Muntinlupa

SC Supreme Court

SEC Securities and Exchange Commission

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PART II

THE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Because the firm is but a small office, the Institutional environment for

which this Narrative Report will refer to will be the Integrated Bar of the

Philippines (IBP or simply the Bar), the official organization of all Philippine

lawyers.

The IBP is composed of all Philippine attorneys now numbering about

50,000. All persons whose names appear in the Roll of Attorneys of the Supreme

Court (having qualified for and passed the Bar examinations and taken their

attorney’s oath, unless otherwise disbarred) are members of the IBP. If any such

person does not agree to join the organization and regulations (including non-

payment of annual membership dues), he does not become, or he ceases to be,

an IBP member, and at the same time his name is removed from the Roll of

Attorneys. The effect of the removal is that he ceases to be an attorney. He loses

the privilege to practice law in the Philippines.

History

The IBP came into being when the Supreme Court (SC) created on

October 5, 1970 the Commission on Bar Integration which was tasked “not only

to ascertain the advisability of integration of the Bar, but even more, to serve as a

common vehicle of the Court and the Bar in fashioning a blueprint for integration

and putting the same into actual operation.” Republic Act No. 6397, which

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became effective September 17, 1971, confirmed the power of the Supreme

Court to adopt rules of court to effect the integration of the Philippine Bar.

Then on January 9, 1973, the Supreme Court, by a per curiam resolution,

pursuant to its constitutional mandate, ordained the integration of the Bar in

accordance with its Rule 139-A, effective January 16, 1973.

Within the next succeeding months, the IBP was organized. On February

17, 1973, local chapters all over the country were finally formed and elections for

chapter officers were held.

Then on March 17, 1973, the first batch of representatives to the IBP

House of Delegates composed of 104 delegates representing the IBP Chapters

nationwide convened in Manila and elected its first set of IBP Governors.

Mission/Vision: Fundamental Objectives

• To elevate the standards of the legal profession;

• To improve the administration of justice;

• To enable the Bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.

The IBP also provides for grievance procedures for the enforcement and

maintenance of discipline among all the members of the IBP. However, no action

involving the suspension or disbarment of a member or the removal of his name

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from the Roll of Attorneys shall be effective without the final approval of the

Supreme Court8.

Organizational Structure

Some people ask whether the IBP is a governmental (public) or non-

governmental (private) entity. The answer is that it is essentially a private (or

non-governmental) organization.

It is not an agency of the Government. For one, the lawyers, who are its

members, are private individuals. Moreover, the funding is derived essentially

from their membership dues. It cannot be denied that the IBP exists to perform

certain vital public functions and to assist the Government particularly in the

improvement of the administration of justice, the upgrading of the standards of

the legal profession, and its proper regulation. Moreover, financial assistance is

extended to it by the Government itself.

Lawyers are officers of the court, and it is this common aspect of their

varied personalities that provides the IBP with its bond of unity.

Putting it more precisely, therefore, the IBP is a semi-governmental entity;

a private organization endowed with certain governmental attributes.

The IBP’s governing body is the Board of Governors9. It is headed by a

chairperson with members designated as Governors of each of the IBP regions.

                                                            8 Section 12: Grievance Procedures, IBP By‐laws effective January 16, 1973 

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 Figure 1: IBP Board of Governors

Aside from the nine (9) IBP regions, there are also Chapters10 in every

province and on certain sub-divisions or areas. From these Chapters, lawyers

are considered members of based on their office or residence (unless the lawyer

specifies a different Chapter). As well, members of the House of Delegates (of

not more than 120-members) are apportioned from accordingly. The House of

Delegates is tasked with electing each Governor on the Board of Governors.

The IBP leadership also comprise of eleven (11) officers who are tasked

with the operations of the IBP. Headed by the IBP Chairman, Roan I. Libarios,

serving as the National President, the officers are:

• TOMAS PRADO, National Secretary;

• MARIA TERESITA C. SISON GO, National Treasurer;

• JOSE V. CABRERA, National Executive Director for Operations;

• ROLAND B. INTING, National Executive Director for Administration;

                                                                                                                                                                                 9 The Integrated Bar of the Philippines By‐laws (effective January 16, 1973) 10 Supra note 8 

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• ROSARIO T. SETIAS-REYES, National Director for Legal Aid;

• ALICIA A. RISOS-VIDAL, National Director for Bar Discipline ;

• RAMON S. ESGUERRA, General Counsel;

• OLIVER B. SAN ANTONIO, Assistant National Secretary;

• VICTORIA V. LOANZON, Assistant National Treasurer;

• RODOLFO G. URBIZTONDO, Deputy General Counsel;

• MERLIN M. MAGALLONA, Editor-in-Chief, IBP Journal

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General location and Area of Responsibility (AOR)

The IBP National Office is located at the IBP Building (No. 15) along Julio

Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, in Pasig City, Philippines. In geographic terms

its area of responsibility is the entire Philippines grouped according to the nine

(9) IBP Regions and Chapters within each region.

 Figure 2: Map of the Philippines

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REGIONS CHAPTERS

Northern Luzon • Abra • Baguio-Benguet • Batanes • Cagayan • Ifugao • Ilocos Norte • Ilocos Sur

• Isabela • Kalinga-Apayao • La Union • Mountain Province • Nueva Viscaya • Quirino

Central Luzon • Bataan • Bulacan • Nueva Ecija • Pampanga

• Pangasinan • Tarlac • Zambales

Southern Luzon • Aurora • Batangas • Caloocan-Malabon • Navotas-Valenzuela

(CALMANA) • Cavite • Laguna • Makati

• Marinduque • Occidental Mindoro • Oriental Mindoro • Pasay-Parañaque-Las

Piñas-Muntinlupa (PPLM)

• Quezon • Rizal-San Juan-

Mandaluyong

Greater Manila • Manila I • Manila II • Manila III

• Manila IV • Quezon City

Bicolandia • Albay • Camarines Norte • Camarines Sur

• Cantanduanes • Masbate • Sorsogon

Eastern Visayas • Biliran • Bohol • Cebu • Cebu City • Eastern Samar

• Leyte • Northern Samar • Samar • Southern Leyte

Western Visayas • Aklan • Antique • Capiz • Guimaras • Iloilo

• Negros Occidental • Negros Oriental • Palawan • Romblon • Siquijor

Eastern Mindanao • Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Bukidnon • Camiguin • Davao City • Davao del Norte

• Davao del Sur • Davao Oriental • Misamis Oriental • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur

Western Mindanao • Cotabato • Lanao del Norte • Lanao del Sur • Misamis Occidental • North Cotabato • South Cotabato

• Sarangani • Zambasulta • Zamboanga del Norte • Zamboaga del Sur • Zamboanga-Sibugay

Figure 3: IBP Regions and Chapters

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PART III

THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The firm is affiliated with the Institutional Environment (the IBP) through

the membership of the firm’s principal partner, Attorney Felipe Fragante. He has

been a member in good standing since 1986.

Aside from being in the private practice of law, Atty. Fragante is a

professor of law and a member of the faculty of the Manila Law College and

Adamson University College of Law (where he also serves as the Director of the

Legal Aid office). He is also a licensed Real Estate broker.

He was formerly a Director of the Supreme Court of the Philippines,

Assistant Chief Counsel of the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Philippine Senate,

and Technical Assistant of the Commission on Appointment. He was also with

the NBI for a number of years, overseeing a team of NBI agents as the chief of a

confidential task force.

He received his LLM from the University of Sto. Tomas and LLB from

Adamson University College of Law. He is also a PCCR alumnus with his BS in

Criminology. During his stint at PCCR, he was the President of the Council of

Student Leaders and the founding president of the Combat Shooting Club.

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areas of law. For example, consultation to determine if an estafa, annulment or

labor case has merit.

Legal representation usually involves on-going representation in litigation

cases throughout the life of the same. Example cases include annulment of

marriage (which typically lasts up to one year), breach of contract, and criminal

defense.

Legal documentation usually involves the creation and execution of legal

documents. Cases include corporation SEC filing, Real Estate titling, and legal

contracts/agreements.

Real Estate Brokerage

The firm also provides Real Estate listing services for clients who are

looking to sell their properties (residential, commercial, house and lot, land,

buildings and businesses). In this service, the firm establishes an agency

agreement with the seller (whether exclusive or non-exclusive) engaging the firm

to find a buyer. Included in this brokerage is the service for buyers in locating a

suitable property for acquisition.

It is important to note that many of the brokerage clients are also legal

services clients and vice versa, either because they were legal clients first who

sought assistance in liquidating assets, or brokerage clients first who require

legal assistance in matters like Real Estate titling.

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Role as an intern

As defined in Part I, OJT is “training on the job supplemented by related

theoretical instructions involving apprenticeable occupations…” It can therefore

be surmised that the role of an intern is to adapt learned theories into practice

through training in an actual work environment.

However, the fact that OJT is prefixed with “on-the-job”, there is a

connotation that the intern is to function as an employee (be it a neophyte),

expected to produce or contribute much the same as other employees. In which

case, the intern sought opportunities to contribute to the host firm so as not to be

a burden. In doing so, the intern’s role eventually graduated into being a

consultant in the areas of business computing and most notably, in the area of

client acquisition. The activities the led to this is narrated as follows:

Business Process Computing

On the first month of the intern’s OJT term, much of the time was spent

familiarizing with the types of cases handled in the firm, assisting with creating

case files on some instances.

It was also during this period when the intern was presented with the

opportunity to assist in upgrading the firms’ communications (via the Internet)

and resolve system issues to which he quickly and diligently pursued to fruition.

Today, the firm enjoys a high speed Internet connection for email

communication with clients and access to many legal sources on the Internet.

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Additionally, the intern obtained Securities and Exchange Commission

(SEC) online access for the firm to use in research on any and all documents

filed with SEC (e.g., corporation by-laws, articles of incorporation, etc.).

The firm (including the principal partner) was established with social

networking presence for which prospective clients can obtain service information

on and learn of the principal partner’s background.

Client Acquisition

Additional communication tools, procedures and techniques were

established. One of which is a lead generation system operated by the intern

from which prospective clients are gained. The process involves the offer of free

legal consultation (by email and other non-real time online means). Answers to

the questions/issues posed are researched by the intern, checked by the

principal partner (Atty. Fragante) for accuracy, and replied back to the inquiring

person. Those with more complex situations usually end up requiring further

assistance so personal fee-based consultations are scheduled. From which,

prospective clients may be converted to actual clients. During these

consultations, the intern is allowed the opportunity to participate as an observer.

This entire process has proven effective in fact that the intern has been

offered an indefinite commission-based role for the firm.

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Paralegal

On the second month of the intern’s OJT term, he was also presented with

an opportunity to provide hands-on assistance for a criminal case involving a

lawyer motorist who struck a bicyclist with her car as the bicyclist was crossing

the street. While the motorist covered the first night’s hospitalization costs, she

refused to shoulder anything more compelling the bicyclist to take further action.

That bicyclist eventually found his way to being our client through his interactions

and reporting of his case with the famous Tulfo brothers on their radio show.

Atty. Fragante tasked the intern to be present in representing the client

(the petitioner) during the preliminary investigation hearings at the Manila City

Prosecutor’s office. The intern entered the scene on the second hearing which

was intended for reviewing the client’s reply to the counter affidavit of the lawyer

motorist (the respondent). It seemed that it was only then that the respondent

realized that the petitioner has legal representation. That led to a settlement

negotiation for which the intern was a conduit of (on behalf of Atty. Fragante).

Following every instruction from Atty. Fragante and holding firm on the client’s

position, the intern successfully facilitated an amicable settlement. The effort

included composing the necessary agreements (namely, the Affidavit of

Desistance) according to the terms acceptable to all parties.

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Intern-Supervisor Relationship

As in any relationship, it starts with being formal and evolves from there.

Healthy and progressive relationships bear fruit to candor (less formality, i.e.) and

trust. All others usually stagnate or worst, they end in bad impressions between

the parties.

Evident in the above narration of the bicyclist vs. the lawyer motorist

criminal case, is the trust and confidence that Atty. Fragante has on the intern to

handle the tasks that only seasoned paralegals are usually entrusted with.

As well, the fact that Atty. Fragante has been very receptive with the

business computing improvements and client acquisition ideas, approving

immediate implementation of both, is in added indication.

These and other indicators speak volumes on the healthy and progressive

relationship the intern has with Atty. Fragante and his staff.

Qualities of the Host Agency to Emulate

As a seasoned lawyer and professor of law, Atty. Fragante is an expert in

his chosen profession. He is an eloquent and well-rounded speaker, thorough yet

concise in the delivery of his message.

His curriculum vitae is quite impressive with the many prominent positions

he has held over the years.

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Despite his prominence and somewhat formal lawyer-like stature, he is

quite amiable, giving equal importance to any and all who approach and talk with

him. In fact, his charisma quickly wins people over.

Atty. Fragante is also very meticulous in everything he does. Conversely,

he is also quite creative, not confined to structure.

Despite his kind-hearted nature, he is quite fearless ready and determined

to overcome battles.

All these are qualities that any aspiring lawyer would likely want to

emulate. The intern is one of those aspiring lawyers who feel the same.

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PART IV

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND DISCIPLINE

Being a small office, the firm is not bound by any formal structure or policy

synonymous with larger organizations. Rather, it is family-oriented in its

operations. In fact, the intern is the only “new kid on the block”. Everyone else in

the firm has been with Atty. Fragante for years. As such, personnel management

and discipline issues are non-existent. However, should the need arise, being a

law firm they will be addressed according to the prescriptions of the law.

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PART V

AUXILIARY SERVICES

Outside of the legal services, Real Estate brokerage is considered as the

only auxiliary services of the firm. This has been detailed above.

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PART VI

FORMS

All forms used are those prescribed and standardized by the Rules of

Court and the pertinent agencies that may be involved in any of the legal

proceedings. Samples of which include:

1. Affidavit

2. Affidavit of Desistance

3. Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

4. Articles of Incorporation for non-stock corporations

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FIGURE 5

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  ) ________ CITY                                ) SS. 

AFFIDAVIT 

I, ________________, Filipino, of legal age, with  address at 

__________________________________, after having been sworn to in accordance with law 

hereby depose and state that: 

 1. ] 

 2. ]     

 3.] 

 4.   I herein attest to the truthfulness of the foregoing facts. 

AFFIANT FURTHER SAYETH NAUGHT. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby affix my signature this ___ day of __________200__ in 

___________ City. 

___________________ 

Affiant 

 SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, a Notary Public, this ___ day of  ____________ 200__ 

at _____________ City, affiant exhibited to me his Community Tax Certificate No. 

____________ issued on ______________ at ______________. 

 

Doc. No. ; 

Page No. ; 

Book No. ; 

Series of 200_. 

   

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FIGURE 6

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  ) ________ CITY      ) S.S. 

AFFIDAVIT OF DESISTANCE 

I, __________, of legal age, single, and a resident of _______________________, after having duly sworn to in accordance with law hereby depose and state: 

    1. I am the complaining witness for ________________ against ______in the case entitled "People of the Philippines versus ______", Criminal Case No. _______, ______________________, City of _________. 

2. After my sober and soul searching assessment and analysis of the incident, I have realized that___________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________. 

3. Since I could not state with certainty and without doubt the liability of ____________, in fairness to him, I am permanently withdrawing my complaint against him. I clear him of whatever responsibility or liability to me. 

4. I hereby inform the City Prosecutor of ______ that I am withdrawing my complaint for ____________________ in Criminal Case No. ___________ entitled "People of the Philippines versus _____________", _______________________________, City of ___________. 

         5. I likewise request the _______________________________, City of ___________ to dismiss with prejudice the said criminal case. 

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby set my hand this __ day of _________ 20__ at the City of ________. 

___________________  Complaining Witness 

   

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ____ day of _____ 20__ at the City of _____, Philippines. 

_________________ Public Prosecutor    

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FIGURE 7

SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY 

I _______________________, hereby name, appoint and constitute _______________________ to be my true and lawful attorney, to act on my behalf and in my name, to execute and perform all or any of the following acts, deeds, matters and things, in connection with _________________________, to wit: 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

HEREBY GIVING AND GRANTING unto our said attorney full powers and authority to do and perform all and every act requisite or necessary to carry into effect the foregoing powers, as fully to all intents and purposes as I might or could lawfully do if personally present, with full power of substitution and revocation, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of _________ 2012, in __________________. 

                                                                                               ____________________________ 

Conforme:  _____________ 

 Signed in the presence of: 

__________________________           __________________________ 

   

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  ) METRO MANILA     ) S.S. 

BEFORE ME , a Notary Public for and in the __________, this ___________________, personally appeared the following: 

Name                       CTC No.                      Place                                   Date 

   

 

 

 

 

 

known to me and to me known to be the same person/s who executed the foregoing General Power of Attorney consisting of __ pages including the page on which this Acknowledgment is written, and who acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed. 

 

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have placed my hand and seal on the date and at the place first above‐written. 

  

Doc. No.: 

Page No.: 

Book No.: 

Series of _____. 

 

   

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FIGURE 8

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 

of 

______________________________________________ 

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS: 

  We, the undersigned incorporators, all of legal age, have this day voluntarily agreed to form a non‐stock and non‐profit association under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. 

 

THAT WE HEREBY CERTIFY: 

Article I:  That the name of this association shall be 

__________________________________________ 

Article II:  That the purposes for which this association is formed are: 

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 

Article III:  That the association shall have its principal office at: 

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 

Article IV:  That the term for which said association is to exist is FIFTY (50) years from and after the date of issuance of the certificate of incorporation. 

Article V:  That the names, nationalities, and residences of the incorporators, majority of who are residents of the Philippines, are as follows: 

Name ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ ______________________ 

Nationality __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ 

Address __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ 

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     Article VI:  That the number of trustees of the association shall be _____(___); and 

the names, nationalities and residences of the first trustees of the association, majority of who are residents of the Philippines, are as follows: 

Name ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ 

TIN ___________________________ 

Nationality ______________________________ 

Address ____________________________________________________________ 

 

Article VII:  That the total contributed capital of the association is ___________________________ PESOS (P_______.__) contributed by the incorporators. 

Article VIII:  That no part of the income which the association may obtain as an incident to its operation shall be distributed as dividends to its members, trustees or officers subject to the provisions of the Corporation Code of the Philippines on dissolution. Any profit obtained by the association as a result of its operation, whenever necessary or proper shall be used for the furtherance of the purposes enumerated in Article II, subject to the provisions of Title XI of the Corporation code of the Philippines. 

Article IX:  That _____________________ has been elected by the subscribers as Treasurer of the association to act as such until his successor is duly elected and qualified in accordance with the by‐laws; and that as such Treasurer, he has been authorized to receive for and in the name and for the benefit of the association, all contributions and donations to the association. 

Article X:  That the incorporators and trustees undertake to change the name of the association immediately upon receipt of notice or directive from the Securities and Exchange Commission that another corporation, partnership or person has acquired a prior right to the use of that name or that name has been declared as misleading, deceptive, confusingly similar to a registered name, or contrary to public morals, good customs or public policy. 

   

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  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands this _______ day of _____________, 20_____ at _______, Philippines. 

_________________________ TIN: ____________________ 

_________________________ TIN: ____________________ 

 _________________________ TIN: ____________________ 

 _________________________ TIN: ____________________ 

 _________________________ TIN: ____________________ 

 

 

Signed in the presence of  

______________________________     ______________________________ 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES  )         ) s s    BEFORE ME, a Notary Public in and for ___________________________ Philippines, this ____ day of _______________20_____ personally appeared: Name  TIN  DATE & PLACE ISSUED                     all known to me and to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing Articles of Incorporation and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free and voluntary act and deed. 

  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal on the date and at the place first above written. 

              Notary Public 

Doc. No. ____ Page No. ____ Book No. ____ Series of 20____ 

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PART VII

RECOMMENDATIONS

As to the firm, the intern would not recommend any changes since its

small office appeal offers an environment for gaining a greater range of hands-on

experience and skills: that is, an intern can be exposed to the many functions

and roles in the firm. This can prove to be valuable benefit for interns. It also

offers opportunities for the intern to contribute. Namely, in improving business

processes to increase operation efficiencies which could lead towards increases

in the firm’s capacity to handle more clients.

As to PCCR’s association with the firm for future OJT opportunities, the

intern would recommend maintaining this firm as an agency option for students

who seek a career path towards the practice of law. The intern would also

recommend that only one or two (at most) interns should be selected.

As to future interns, PCCR might consider being selective in choosing the

intern candidates since the absence of structure may prove to be counter-

productive. This would be true of interns who require constant supervision and

are productive only when doing tasks with pre-defined procedures. Mature,

creative and independent are some (among many others) of the traits that

suitable interns should possess in order to thrive, benefit from and succeed in

this type of environment.

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PART VIII

PHOTOGRAPHS

Entrance

Reception Desk

Front Office

Reception Waiting Area

Back Office Intern’s Desk