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UP meets with CLRG, VMLP to discuss AI-powered legislative information system

| Written by Clariza Concordia

Dr. Reginald Ugaddan (topmost, clockwise), director of the Center for Local and Regional Governance, University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, presents the eLegis Reference System Project to UP System officials. Ugaddan discussed the project’s vision, current development roadmap, and potential strategic directions. eLegis is an online, AI-driven legislative information system that seeks to centralize local ordinances and resolutions in the Philippines. It is a public service initiative of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines, in collaboration with the UP NCPAG CLRG.
Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

Can artificial intelligence empower local Philippine legislation?

For the National College of Public Administration and Governance-Center for Local and Regional Governance — the University of the Philippines’ research, training, and consulting center for local governments — it is possible.

Representatives from the UP NCPAG-CLRG and the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines met with UP President Angelo Jimenez to present the redesigned eLegis Reference System, an online, AI-driven legislative information system. The meeting convened Aug. 25 at the Executive House, UP Diliman.

UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies Executive Director Rosalie Arcala Hall (center) suggests that the language used in e-Legis be comprehensible and conversational.
Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

CLRG Director Reginald Ugaddan discussed the project’s vision, development roadmap, and potential strategic directions. A live demonstration of eLegis was then conducted, during which attendees were introduced to eLegis’ interface.

Jimenez referred to the project as “revolutionary,” stating the need for a more informed community.

 

Add photographs and presentations to the e-Legis, proposes Tanjay City, Negros Oriental Vice Mayor Reynil Arcide.
Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
UP System officials led by President Angelo Jimenez (seated, fourth from left), together with VMLP officials led by National President Maynard Francis Bumanglag (seated, third from left), and UP NCPAG-CLRG representatives.
Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

 

eLegis is an online platform that seeks to create a unified, nationwide database of local ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative issuances from cities and municipalities across the Philippines. First launched in 2004 as a joint project of VMLP and the Ayala Foundation, Inc., eLegis was reconceptualized in 2024 with the CLRG. As a UP center, CLRG fulfills the university’s public service mandate in the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and custody of eLegis records. CLRG also conducts orientations and capacity-building activities for sanggunian members.

eLegis began operations in 2026 and was endorsed by the VMLP for all city and municipal sanggunians as “a service to local legislatures.” In July, the Department of Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular No. 2026-041, stating, “In support of the nationwide implementation of the e-Legis Reference System, all City and Municipal Mayors, through their respective Sanggunians, are hereby encouraged to submit electronic copies of their ordinances, resolutions, and other relevant legislative issuances for inclusion in the system.”