The Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR), a statutory office created under Republic Act No. 9285 (2004) or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004 to promote, develop and expand the use of ADR in the private and public sectors, recently created two technical working groups (TWG) to study needful changes to the law on mediation and arbitration.
OADR Executive Director Bernadette C. Ongoco issued Office Order No. 1419 dated September 17, 2015 creating the TWGs and directing them to seek the assistance of ADR organizations in drafting the amendatory provisions of Chapters 3 to 7 of the ADR Act of 2004.
The constitution of the TWGs was the initiative of Atty. Jesusito Morallos who proposed to OADR that they allow ADR organizations to participate in the process of amending RA No. 9285. The Office Order recognizes the ADR organizations’ important role as partners not only in promoting and advocating the use of the various ADR modes of resolving disputes but also in addressing the evolving requirements of the ADR environment.
PDRC has nominated to OADR Trustees Engr. Salvador P. Castro, Jr., Atty. Roberto N. Dio and Atty. Shirley F. Alinea as well as Asst. Secretary General Francisco D. Pabilla, Jr. for the TWG on Mediation, and Trustees Dean Custodio O. Parlade, Atty. Victor P. Lazatin, Atty. Salvador P. Panga, Jr., Atty. Roberto N. Dio, Atty. Arthur P. Autea, and Dean Gwen Grecia-de Vera for the TWG on Arbitration.