NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of tljo St' *rr!rn
*22 JUL19 P6 '46
SENATE
S. B. No. 779
receivld ey
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "FORFEITURE LAW" TO PROVIDE A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF THE 
VALUE OF FORFEITED PROPERTIES IN CORRUPTION CASES AS 
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Thirty years ago, Hong Kong was considered as one of the most corrupt 
countries in Asia. It is now oerceived as among the least corrupt countries in Asia. 
World Bank studies conclude that the most important factor in the Hong Kong 
experience was the establishment of the Independent Commission Against 
Corruption (ICAC) in 1974. In comparison to the budget allocated to ICAC, the 
budget of the Office of the Ombudsman and other support anti-graft agencies pales.
The Office of the Ombudsman, armed with a constitutional mandate as the 
protector of the people, is the country's foremost anti-graR agency. For 2019, the 
Office of the Ombudsman received a total of 9,251 new complaints against erring 
government officials/employees, with a total case workload of almost 12,000 cases 
in 2019. However, the Office of the Ombudsman is hindered to fulfill its mandate of 
combating corruption due to funding and resource limitations. Furthermore, with the 
disposition of cases going at a snail's pace, corruption continues to go unhampered 
leading to massive losses in government revenue which remain unaccounted for.
The proposed measure intends to aid the Office of the Ombudsman in the 
fulfillment of its mandate by augmenting the financial resources of the Ombudsman. 
It seeks to provide more funding to the Ombudsman by giving it a share in any 
property forfeited in favor of the State under Republic Act No. 1379, otherwise 
known as the 'Forfeiture Law" Once passed into law, this bill will provide additional 
funding to the Omb udsman and therefore eliminate the need to reallocate funding 
from a stretched national budget.


It will provide a mechanism wherein thirty percent (30%) of the value of 
forfeited assets shall be used as funding for the Ombudsman that will assist the 
continued progress of cases. The percentage method will also ensure that the 
additional funding to the Ombudsman shall not lead to a loss for the government. 
The earmarking of a fixed percentage of the value of the forfeited properties in 
corruption cases will strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman especially so in their 
drive to combat corruption more efficiently and effectively. Particularly, the 
additional funds can help in further capacitating its lawyers especially on 
investigation activities.
The delivery of justice to our people, especially when the hard-earned money 
they pay for ta::es is being misusec: by unscrupulous officials, can only be achieved 
when we arm the appropriate government agencies with the resources for this.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SOmY ANGARA
r


of ii)c ’-S-ct‘!i:r
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. B. No. 779
72 JUL 19 P6 ^6
RECE'V tD
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
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AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE "FORFEITURE LAW" TO PROVIDE A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF THE 
VALUE OF FORFEITED PROPERTIES IN CORRUPTION CASES AS 
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE Of !BUDSMAN AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 1379 is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Section 6. Judgment - If the respondent is unable to show to the 
satisfaction of the court that he has lawfully acquired the property in 
question, then the court shall declare such propert/, forfeited in favor of 
the State, and by virtue of such judgment the property aforesaid shall 
become property of the State: Provided, That THIRTY PERCENT (30%) 
OF THE VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY FORFEITED IN A FINAL AND 
EXECUTORY ORDER OF THE COURT SHALL BE EARMARKED AS 
ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN FAVOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE PROPERTY IS 
NOT IN CASH IT MAY BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION AND THE 
PROCEEDS THEREOF, AFTER DEDUCTING THE THIRTY PERCENT 
(30%) FOR THE OFFICE CF THE OMBUDSMAN, UHALL ACCRUE TO 
THE GENERAL FUND, [ft] No judgment shall be rendered within six
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months before any general election or within three months before any
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special election. The Court may, in addition, refer this case to the
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corresponding Executive Department for administrative or criminal action,
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or both.,/
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SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
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subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are
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not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All other la\As, actc, presidential decrees,
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executive orders, presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or
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parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this
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Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,.