By Stephen J. Pedroza
CAGAYAN DE ORO, PHILIPPINES – In a groundbreaking move, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro proudly introduced the Klarex Uy Bot Accessible Information or “Kauban CDO” chatbot to provide free legal information 24/7.
Designed as a comprehensive platform, Kauban CDO chatbot serves as a pioneering initiative led by a team of legal professionals, including Atty. Albert Daba III, Atty. Angeline Marie Carrasco, Atty. Evangeline Carrasco, Atty. Al An Geñoso, Atty. Cedric Bantilan, and Atty. Joshua Rey Achas.
Their mission is to make legal information easily accessible to Kagay-anons, addressing common queries about LGU services.
CREATOR OF KAUBAN CDO CHATBOT. Atty. Albert Daba III officially presents the Kauban CDO Chatbot on January 8, 2024, at the Cagayan de Oro City Hall. (Supplied photo).
“The Philippines’ first fully automated Legal Information chatbot, Bots Legis, started way back in 2017 when I was still a law student, as a way to offload the repetitive task of guiding my Titas with filing small money claims and dissuading them from shaming debtors online,” said Daba, the creator of the chatbot. “Then I had the idea of turning the information into a chatbot.”
“Fast-forward to 2024, now conscious perhaps of my new roles as resident lawyer for CyTech, a multinational Cybersecurity company, and HSi Technologies, a leading Digital Banking Services provider, I believe that I take on this endeavor now with a more mature and conservative perspective, quite clearly reflected on the legalese of the lengthy Data Privacy consent forms of the chatbot, as it would be the height of irony if their own legal adviser commits privacy blunders with his own app (knocks on wood),” he added.
KAUBAN CDO CHATBOT. The Klarex Uy Bot Accessible Information or “Kauban CDO” chatbot provides free legal information 24/7 on Facebook Messenger. (Image courtesy of the Kauban CDO Chatbot Facebook page).
Kauban CDO chatbot is accessible on Facebook Messenger and features a small money claims guide, offering free assistance on debt collection.
It includes additional features and translations, with special emphasis on consumer complaints.
Collaborating with Atty. Fel Lester Brillantes of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the chatbot enlightens consumers about their rights pertaining to purchases.
Daba, currently serving as a lawyer and consultant for the local government unit of CDO under the leadership of Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, officially unveiled the upgraded version of the Kauban CDO chatbot on January 8, 2024, at the City Hall.
“The chatbot does not rely on ChatGPT and all of its responses are pre-programmed and reviewed by lawyers, so it is not prone to Large Language Model AI errors, such as hallucinations,” Daba assured.
Daba’s Consumer Complaint Guide on Bots Legis was developed with the assistance and approval of DTI Region 10 – Consumer Protection Division headed by Atty Fel Lester Brillantes (right).
The new iteration aims to enhance accessibility for all Kagay-anons, featuring specific additions of LGU services.
Kauban CDO also directs to the FAQs of the City Finance Office and promises more upcoming features.
The initiative aligns with the commitment of the Cagayan de Oro City Government to provide accessible and efficient services to its residents.
Kauban CDO chatbot is poised to become an invaluable resource for Kagay-anons seeking reliable legal information and assistance.
“Today, Kauban CDO is a source of simple legal information and a guide for LGU services available 24/7 for Kagay-anons,” said Daba. “In the future, we hope the technology can assist in other tasks, such as assisting in city scholarship applications.”
“I thank Mayor Klarex Uy for supporting this revamped chatbot initiative, as well as all our supportive colleagues who contribute their time and effort to this cause. We hope to see more homegrown Access-to-Justice initiatives!
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