SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. 2425 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
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'14 
SEP 24 P5 :11 
STRENGTHENING THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN THROUGH THE 
FURTHER PROFESSIONALIZATION, IMPROVEMENT OF SKILLS AND 
AUGMENTING THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 6770, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
"Public office is a public trust," is a hallmark edict of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 
Its significance is mirrored further in continuous fundamental guarantee, "[p ]ublic officers and 
employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, 
integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives."l 
Although these precepts are laudable, the pervasiveness of graft and corruption remains a 
reality in Philippine society. In fact, in a repOli, it was noted that the government lost PI01.816 
billion to graft and corruption in 2011, per the Commission on Audit.2 
In the same study, it 
cited that in "unauthorized/irregular/unnecessary expenses, unliquidated cash advances, 
violations of the Procurement Act, underassessment/under collection, unutilized/ineffective 
projects and lack of appropriation constituted the most number of cases where the public coffers 
suffered unwarranted loss." 
The Office of the Ombudsman is tasked to investigate on its own or on complaint by any 
person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or 
omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient. Though zealous, the men and 
women of the Office of the Ombudsman, themselves government officials and employees, are 
not spared from challenges brought about by numerous harassment suits filed against them by 
disgruntled litigants. 
Moreover, their personal safety and the safety of their family are at 
constant risk due to the high-profile cases they are handling. 
Furthermore, despite the enormity of their task of battling graft and corruption, the salary 
of Ombudsman employeesis still not comparable to that of their counterparts in other 
government agencies and in other anti-graft and corruption bodies in the Asia-Pacific Region. 
1 Article XI, Section 1, The 1987 Philippine Constitution 
2 Audit Performance Summary Report 2011, of the Commission on Audit, as reported in www.rappler.com. 
October 27, 2012 
" : 


With the enactment of this bill into law, it is believed that the enhancement of the welfare 
of the country's graftbusters will strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman as an institution in its 
fight against graft and corruption. 
The early recognition of this legislation is earnestly recommended. 
/fa«--JW 
fRACEPOE 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. 2425 
Introduced by Senator Poe 
AN ACT 
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'14 
SEP 24 P5:11 
RECEIVED BY: __ ¥ 
STRENGTHENING THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN THROUGH THE 
FURTHER PROFESSIONALIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF SKILLS AND 
AUGMENTING THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF ITS EMPLOYEES, AMENDING FOR 
THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6770, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines 
in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 6 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"SEC. 6. Rank and Salary. - The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the 
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same ranks, salaries and privileges as the Chairman and members, respectively, of a 
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Constitutional Commission. Their salaries shall not be decreased during their term of 
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office. 
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THE MEMBERS OF THE PROSECUTION, INVESTIGATION, LEGAL 
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AND PERMANENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
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OMBUDSMAN 
SHALL 
RECEIVE 
THE 
SAME 
RANK, 
CATEGORY, 
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PREROGATIVE, SALARIES, ALLOWANCES, EMOLUMENTS AND OTHER 
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PRIVILEGES, 
INCLUDING THE 
SAME 
RETIREMENT AND 
OTHER 
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BENEFITS, AS THOSE OF A JUDGE OF A COMPARABLE LEVEL IN 
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ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING TABLE: 
OMBUDSMAN POSITIONS 
COMPARABLE POSITIONS IN 
JUDICIARY 
Assistant Ombudsman and other 
Regional Trial Court Judge 
permanent employees with Salary 
Grade 29. 
-
GIPO IV and other permanent 
Metropolitan Trial Court Judge 
employees with Salary Grade 28. 


'. 
GIPO III and other permanent 
City Trial Court Judge 
employees with Salary Grade 27, 
GIPO II and other permanent 
Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judge 
employees with Salary Grade 26. 
and Municipal Trial Court Judge 
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SECTION 2. Section 6 ofR.A. No. 6770 is further amended by inserting Section 6-A, 6-
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B, 6-C and 6-D to read as follows: 
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"SECTION 6-A. RETIREMENT BENEFITS. MEMBERS OF THE 
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PROSECUTION, 
INVESTIGATION, 
LEGAL 
AND 
PERMANENT 
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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AS 
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PRESENTED IN THE TABLE IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION, WHO HAVE 
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RENDERED AT LEAST FIFTEEN (15) YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE, 
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THE LAST FIVE (5) OF WHICH ARE WITH THE OFFICE OF THE 
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OMBUDSMAN, AND HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE (65), 
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SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A RETIREMENT PENSION BASED ON THE 
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HIGHEST 
MONTHLY 
SALARY, 
PLUS 
THE 
HIGHEST 
MONTHLY 
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AGGREGATE OF TRANSPORTATION, LIVING AND REPRESENTATION 
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ALLOWANCES, WHICH THEY WERE RECEIVING AT THE TIME OF THEIR 
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RETIREMENT. 
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THOSE WHO HAVE RENDERED SERVICE FOR THE SAME PERIOD 
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AND WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF SIXTY (60) AND OPT TO RETIRE 
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SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO THE SAME BENEFIT. 
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SECTION 6-B. CONDITIONS FOR ENTITLEMENT OF PENSION. - TO 
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MAINTAIN ENTITLEMENT TO THE PENSION HEREIN PROVIDED, NO 
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OMBUDSMAN LAWYER, DURING THE TIME HE/SHE IS RECEIVING SAID 
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PENSION, SHALL APPEAR AS COUNSEL BEFORE ANY JUDICIAL OR 
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QUASI-JUDICIAL 
AGENCY IN ANY 
CIVIL 
CASE 
WHEREIN THE 
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GOVERNMENT OR ANY AGENCY, SUBDIVISION, OR INSTRUMENTALITY 
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THEREOF IS AN ADVERSE PARTY, IN ANY CRIMINAL CASE WHEREIN 
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ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS ACCUSED OF AN 
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OFFENSE COMMITTED IN RELATION TO HISIHER OFFICE, OR IN ANY 
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ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS TO MAINTAIN AN INTEREST ADVERSE 
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TO THE NATIONAL OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR TO ANY OF ITS 
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LEGALLY CONSTITUTED OFFICERS. 
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WHEN AN OMBUDSMAN LAWYER OR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF 
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COVERED BY AND RECEIVING ANY BENEFIT UNDER THIS ACT SHALL 
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ASSUME AN ELECTIVE OR APPOINTIVE POSITION IN GOVERNMENT, 
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HE/SHE SHALL NOT, UPON ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE AND DURING 
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HIS/HER TERM OR TENURE, RECEIVE THE MONTHLY PENSION OR ANY 
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OF THE ALLOWANCES DUE HIM/HER. 
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SECTION 6-C. OTHER PERSONNEL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES. THE 
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PROVISIONS OF OTHER LAWS TO THE CONTRARY NOTWITHSTANDING, 
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THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN MAY PROVIDE ITS EMPLOYEES 
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WITH THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: 
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(1) 
HEALTH 
CARE 
SERVICES 
THROUGH 
A 
HEALTH 
MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION (HMO); 
(2) 
ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICIES PROCURED BY THE OFFICE 
AT ITS OWN EXPENSE DURING TRAVELS WHILE IN THE 


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PERFORMANCE 
OF 
THEIR 
OFFICIAL 
DUTIES 
AND 
FUNCTIONS; 
(3) 
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DESERVING EMPLOYEES ON OFFICIAL 
TIME AND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDMAN TO ENHANCE THEIR ACADEMIC GROWTH AND 
UPGRADE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. SCHOLARS 
UNDER THIS PROVISION SHALL BE SELECTED ON THE BASIS 
OF 
COMPETITIVE 
EXAMINATION 
AND 
SUCH 
OTHER 
GUIDELINES SET BY THE OFFICE; 
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(4) 
A 
PROVIDENT 
FUND 
WHICH 
SHALL 
CONSIST 
OF 
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CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND 
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BY ITS LAWYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO A COMMON FUND 
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WHICH MAY BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SUCH LAWYERS 
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AND EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR HEIRS; AND 
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(5) 
PROFESSIONAL 
MEMBERSHIP 
FEES, 
MANDATORY 
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CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (MCLE) SERVICE FEES AND 
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RELATED 
MISCELLANEOUS 
EXPENSES 
OF EMPLOYEES 
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HOLDING POSITIONS FOR WHICH A PROFESSIONAL LICENSE 
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IS REQUIRED. 
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SECTION 6-D. SPECIAL ALLOWANCES. TO CARRY OUT THE 
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OBJECTIVES OF THIS ACT AND SUPPORT THE EFFORT TO FIGHT 
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CORRUPTION, THE OMBUDSMAN, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF 
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FUNDS, IS AUTHORIZED TO GRANT SPECIAL ALLOWANCES TO 
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OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN TO 
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AUGMENT SALARIES AND BENEFITS. 
THE GRANT OF SPECIAL 
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ALLOWANCES SHALL BE IN SUCH AMOUNTS AS CAN BE SUPPORTED BY 
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THE FUNDING SOURCES IDENTIFIED IN THIS LAW AS WELL AS FROM 
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ITS 
GENERAL 
FUND 
AND 
SAVINGS; 
PROVIDED 
THAT 
SUCH 
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ALLOWANCES SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) OF 
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THE BASIC SALARY OF THE OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE CONCERNED. 
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SECTION 3. Section 38 ofR.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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SEC. 38. Fiscal Autonomy. The Office of the Ombudsman shall enjoy fiscal 
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autonomy. Appropriations for the Office of the Ombudsman may not be reduced below 
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the amount appropriated for the previous years and, after approval, shall be automatically 
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and regularly released. THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE GRANT OF 
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SPECIAL ALLOWANCES AND BENEFITS PROVIDED HEREIN AND TO 
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ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACT, SHALL BE 
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TAKEN FROM THE FOLLOWING: 
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SO 
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(1) 
35% OF THE VALUE OR PROCEEDS OF FORFEITED ASSETS 
UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379; AND 
(2) 
ALL OTHER INCOME, FEES AND REVENUES COLLECTED BY 
THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN. 
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THE OMBUDSMAN IS AUTHORIZED TO RETAIN SUCH SHARES AS 
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PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION AND DISBURSE SUCH FOR THE PURPOSE 
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OF AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ACT AS WELL AS FOR OTHER 
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OPERATIONAL PURPOSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CAPITAL 
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EXPENSES, TRAININGS AND OTHER OPERATIONAL NEEDS. THE COURT 
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OF COMI)ETENT JURISDICTION SHALL INCLUDE IN ITS DISPOSITION 


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THE SEGREGATION OF THE OMBUDSMAN'S SHARE IN THE FORFEITED 
ASSETS. 
SECTION 4. Rules and Regulations.-- The Ombudsman shall issue, within ninety 
(90) days after the effectivity of this Act, the necessary rules and regulation relating to the 
administrative aspects of the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of 
this Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions 
hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. -
All laws, decrees, orders or rules and 
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regulations, and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
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hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in two (2) national newspapers o(general circulation. 
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Approved,