CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Vice Mayor Jocelyn "Bebot" Rodriguez held a consultative meeting with Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Region 10 officials on March 10. 

The PAO officials, led by Regional Public Attorney Vivien Ines-Mostrales, presented their proposal to amend RA 9255, which allows illegitimate children to use their father's surname. 

The lawyers argued that there should be no distinction between children born before and after 2004 when the law was approved. 

Rodriguez pledged to file a bill that would eliminate the costly requirement of publishing corrections made to birth certificates and instead require posting in three conspicuous places.

PAO-10 has other legislative concerns, including amending RA 10833, the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016, and RA 11643, the National Prosecution Service Survivorship Benefits Act. 

Rodriguez committed to funding office equipment, such as a heavy-duty photocopier, scanner, and two container vans, to store office documents. 

Meanwhile, PAO officials requested Vice Mayor Bebot to work with the executive department to improve public facilities for children in conflict with the law (CICL). 

They also suggested a separate facility for CICL be available in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) compound to ensure their safety.

Councilors James Judith and Malvern Esparcia will present a special report in the upcoming City Council session in response to the request. 

The PAO officials also asked Vice Mayor Bebot to consider increasing their allowances from the local government unit (LGU) to match those provided in other highly urbanized cities in the country.