SECTION  1283 . Additional Counsel to Assist Attorney-General.  — The Attorney-General shall  when in his opinion the public interest requires it  upon the approval of the Secretary of Finance and Justice  employ and retain in the name of the Government of th e Philippine Islands such attorneys as he may deem necessary to assist him in the discharge of his duties. Such attorneys shall be entitled to travel expenses  if incurred  and such compensation as shall be stipulated for. [523-3.] SECTION  1284 . Authority of Officers to Administer Oaths and Take Testimony . — The Attorney-General  the Solicitor-General  the assistant attorneys of the Bureau of Justice and provincial fiscals are authorized to administer oaths in matters of official bus iness. The Attorney-General and Solicitor-General and any assistant attorney or provincial fiscal thereunto especially deputed by the Attorney-General shall have further authority to take testimony in any matter or investigation within the competency of th e Bureau of Justice. SECTION  1285 . Annual Report of Attorney-General. — The annual report of the Attorney-General shall  among other things  contain a statement of the conditions affecting the administration of justice throughout the Islands and an account of public litigation  pending in the courts. [1699-1; Comp.  107.] Estates of Government Employees SECTION  1286 . Settlement of Estates of Deceased Employees . — When a citizen of the United States who is an employee of the Philippine Government or who is a civilian employee of the United States in the Philippine Islands shall die  leaving property in sai d Islands  either real or personal  not exceeding one thousand five hundred pesos in value  the Attorney-General shall  if no regular administration of his estate is had  take possession of such estate  make a complete inventory thereof  and file the same  with the Insular Auditor. [1407-18 ( b ); 2136-1.] He shall thereupon proceed to ascertain by the best means within his power the names and residences of the persons who are lawfully entitled to the estate  and shall proceed to settle the same and to dispose of the assets in accordance herewith. [290-1; 2136-1.] ARTICLE  II Copyright 2012 CD Technologies Asia  Inc. and Accesslaw  Inc. Philippine Law Encyclopedia 2011 379