TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 9Q9
' ■; ^cnat£-
of tijf
25 AUG-5 P2:19
RECEIVED SY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN BY AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 
6770, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989" AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
A strong, independent, and well-resourced Office of the Ombudsman is 
indispensable in upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in government. 
As the primary institution mandated to investigate and prosecute public officials 
involved in graft and corruption, the Office of the Ombudsman plays a central role in 
the fight against abuse of power and misuse of public funds. However, despite its 
constitutional mandate, the Office continues to face institutional, operational, and 
fiscal limitations that hamper its effectiveness and responsiveness.
This measure seeks to address these gaps by strengthening the institutional 
capacity of the Office of the Ombudsman. The proposed measure introduces key 
reforms to enhance the Office's operational efficiency, expand its investigative and 
prosecutorial capabilities, and ensure it is adequately supported through sustainable 
funding. These reforms aim to empower the Office to respond more effectively to 
complex and high-profile corruption cases and to reduce delays in the delivery of 
justice.


Filed by Senator Grace Poe in the 19th Congress, this provides for mechanisms 
that promote public trust, protect whistleblowers, and ensure that accountability 
systems are not only present but effective. By strengthening the Ombudsman, she 
reaffirms her belief that government institutions must be equipped not just with legal 
authority, but with the practical means to fulfill their mandates.
This bill is not merely a bureaucratic upgrade—it is a clear and urgent call to 
reinforce the nation's commitment to justice and ethical public service. With 
widespread public demand for greater accountability in all levels of government, the 
passage of this measure is both timely and necessary.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
D
riNGfiOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 909
25 AUG-5 P 2 *19
l\atiVi:D BY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN BY AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT 
6770, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE OMBUDSMAN ACT OF 1989" AND 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Section 15 of R.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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"Sec. 15. Powers, Functions and Duties. - The Office of
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the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions
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and duties:
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"(1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on
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complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public
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officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or
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omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.
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It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the
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Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise of this primary
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jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage, from any
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investigatory agency of Government, the investigation of such
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cases;
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"(2) EMPLOY WIRETAPPING AS AN
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INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUE WHEN THE


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CIRCUMSTANCES OF A CASE SO WARRANT. FOR THIS 
PURPOSE, SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4200, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTI-WIRETAPPING 
LAW, IS HEREBY AMENDED TO INCLUDE CASES 
INVOLVING PLUNDER, VIOLATIONS OF REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 3019, FORFEITURE OF ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH 
UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, CRIMES 
COMMITTED BY PUBLIC OFFICERS UNDER THE 
REVISED PENAL CODE AND OTHER GRAFT AND 
CORRUPTION OFFENSES IN THE CASES FOR WHICH 
WIRETAPPING MAY BE ALLOWED AFTER AN 
APPLICATION FOR AND GRANT OF A JUDICIAL 
AUTHORITY;
"[(2)](3) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, 
any officer or employee of the Government, or of any 
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as any 
government-owned or controlled corporations [with original 
charter], to perform and expedite any act or duty required by 
law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety 
in the performance of duties;
(4) Direct the officer concerned to take 
appropriate action against a public officer or employee at fault 
or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required 
by law, and recommend [hits] THE SAID PUBLIC OFFICER 
OR EMPLOYEE'S removal, suspension, demotion, fine, 
censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith; or 
enforce its disciplinary authority as provided In Section 21 of 
this Act: Provided, That the refusal by any officer without just 
cause to comply with an order of the Ombudsman to remove, 
suspend, demote, fine, censure, or prosecute an officer or 
employee who is at fault or who neglects to perform an act or


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discharge a duty required by law shall be a ground for 
disciplinary action against said officer;
(5) Direct the officer concerned, in any 
appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as it may 
provide in its rules of procedure, to furnish it with copies of 
documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into 
by his office involving the disbursement or use of public funds 
or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission 
on Audit for appropriate action;
(6) Request any government agency for 
assistance and information necessary in the discharge of its 
responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, pertinent 
records and documents;
"[(6)] 
(7) Publicize matters covered by its
investigation of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (1), (2), 
(3), [and] (4), (5), AND (6) hereof, when circumstances so 
warrant and with due prudence: Provided, That the 
Ombudsman under its rules and regulations may determine 
what cases may not be made public: Provided, further. That 
any publicity issued by the Ombudsman shall be balanced, fair 
and true;
"[(^1 (8) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red 
tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the 
Government, and make recommendations for their 
elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics 
and efficiency;
"[(8)] (9) Administer oaths, issue subpoena and 
subpoena duces tecum, and take testimony AT ANY STAGE 
OF [m] any investigation or inquiry, PROVIDED, THAT IN 
THE COURSE OF SUCH INVESTIGATION OR INQUIRY, 
THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL HAVE [includm§] the power to


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examine and have access to bank AND OTHER FINANCIAL 
accounts, [afid] records, AND TRANSACTIONS;
"(10) ENTER, VISIT, INSPECT, OR IF 
CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE, BREAK INTO, ANY 
GOVERNMENT OFFICE OR ANY PUBLIC PREMISES, 
STRUCTURE OR ESTABLISHMENT, IN THE LAWFUL 
COURSE OF AN ONGOING CRIMINAL OR 
ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATION, AND SEIZE ANY 
OBJECT OR ARTICLE FOUND THEREIN WHICH MAY BE 
USED IN THE SAID INVESTIGATION, OR DIRECT ANY 
PUBLIC OFFICER TO DELIVER SUCH OBJECT OR 
ARTICLE;
”[(^] (11) Punish for contempt in accordance with 
the Rules of Court and under the same procedure and with 
the same penalties provided therein;
(12) Delegate to the Deputies, or its 
investigators or representatives such authority or duty as shall 
ensure the effective exercise or performance of the powers, 
functions, and duties herein or hereinafter provided;
"[(ii)] (13) Investigate and initiate the proper action 
for the recovery of ill-gotten and/or unexplained wealth 
amassed after February 25, 1986 and the prosecution of the 
parties involved therein. PROPERTIES LIQUIDATED OR 
SOLD BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE RECOVERED, 
FORFEITED, SURRENDERED AND TRANSFERRED TO 
THE GOVERNMENT, SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE 
PAYMENT OF ANY NATIONAL OR LOCAL TAXES;
"(14) REPRESENT ITSELF, THE REPUBLIC OF 
THE PHILIPPINES, OR THE PEOPLE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES IN ANY JUDICIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, 
CIVIL OR OFFICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING CASES 
WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION BEFORE ANY COURT,


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TRIBUNAL, AGENCY, OR OFFICE WITHOUT NEED OF 
PRIOR CLEARANCE, AUTHORITY OR DEPUTATION 
FROM ANY OTHER OFFICE OR AGENCY, INCLUDING 
THE OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL;
"(15) DEPUTIZE PRIVATE LAWYERS TO ACT AS 
INVESTIGATORS OR PROSECUTORS TO ACT UNDER 
THE DIRECT CONTROL AND SUPERVISION OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN IN CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE 
OFFICE, WHEN SPECIAL AND MERITORIOUS 
CIRCUMSTANCES SO WARRANT, SUBJECT TO SUCH 
RULES AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING PROVISIONS 
FOR REASONABLE COMPENSATION AND 
REIMBURSEMENT FOR REASONABLE EXPENSES, AS 
THE OMBUDSMAN WILL PROMULGATE; AND
"(16) CREATE AND ADMINISTER ITS OWN 
WITNESS PROTECTION AND WHISTLEBLOWING 
PROGRAMS AND, FOR SUCH PURPOSES, MAINTAIN 
ITS OWN INTELLIGENCE ENFORCEMENT OR 
PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT FOR THE PROTECTION 
OF ITS WITNESSES AND WHISTLEBLOWERS.
"The Ombudsman shall give priority to complaints filed 
against high ranking government officials and/or those 
occupying supervisory positions, complaints involving grave 
offenses as well as complaints involving large sums of money 
and/or properties."
Sec. 2. Section 17 of R.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"SEC 17. Immunities. - x x x
"Under such terms and conditions as It may determine, 
[taking into account the pertinent provisions of the Rules of
Court] the Ombudsman may grant immunity from criminal 
prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose 
possession and production of documents or other evidence


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may be necessary to determine the truth in any hearing. 
Inquiry or proceeding being conducted by the Ombudsman or 
under its authority. In the performance or in the furtherance 
of its constitutional functions and statutory objectives. The 
immunity granted under this and the immediately preceding 
paragraph shall not exempt the witness from criminal 
prosecution for perjury or false testimony nor shall he be 
exempt from demotion or removal from office.
"Any refusal to appear or testify pursuant to the 
foregoing provisions shall be subject to punishment for 
contempt and removal of the immunity from criminal 
prosecution, x x x."
Sec. 3. Section 25 of R.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 25. Penalties. -
"(1) In administrative proceedings under [Presidential 
Decree No. 807] EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 292 OR THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987, the penalties and rules 
provided therein shall be applied.
"(2) In other administrative proceedings, the penalty 
ranging from suspension without pay for one (1) year to 
dismissal with forfeiture of benefits or a fine ranging from Five 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to twice the amount malversed, 
illegally taken or lost, or both at the discretion of the 
Ombudsman, taking into consideration circumstances that 
mitigate or aggravate the liability of the officer or employee 
found guilty of the complaint or charges.
"THESE PENALTIES MAY BE IMPLEMENTED 
DURING ELECTION PERIOD, AMENDING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE SECTION 261(X) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
881, OR THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE."
Sec. 4. Section 31 of R.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows:


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"Section 31. Designation of Investigators and 
Prosecutors. — The Ombudsman may utilize the personnel of 
his office and/or designate or deputize any fiscal, state 
prosecutor or lawyer in the government service, OR 
PRIVATE LAWYERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 
15(15) OF THIS ACT, to act as special investigator or 
prosecutor to assist in the investigation and prosecution of 
certain cases. Those designated or deputized to assist him 
herein provided shall be under his supervision and control.
"X X X."
Sec. 5. Section 27 of R.A. No. 6770 is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 27. Effectivity and Finality of Decisions. — (1) All 
provisionary orders of the Office of the Ombudsman are 
immediately effective and executory.
"A motion for reconsideration of any order, directive or 
decision of the Office of the Ombudsman must be filed within 
five (5) days after receipt of written notice and shall be 
entertained only on any of the following grounds:
"(1) New evidence has been discovered which 
materially affects the order, directive or decision;
"(2) Errors of law or irregularities have been committed 
prejudicial to the interest of the movant. The motion for 
reconsideration shall be resolved within three (3) days from 
filing: Provided, That ONLY one motion for reconsideration 
shall be entertained.
"Findings of fact by the Office of the Ombudsman when 
supported by substantial evidence are conclusive. Any order, 
directive or decision imposing the penalty of public censure or 
reprimand, suspension of not more than one (1) MONTH 
AND FINE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE (1) month s salary 
shall be final and unappealable.


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"In all administrative disciplinary cases, orders,
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directives, or decisions of the Office of the Ombudsman may
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be appealed to the [Supreme-Court by filing a petition for
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certiorari within ten (10) days from receipt of the-written
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notice of the order, directive or decision or deniaf-of-tfte
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motion for reconsideration in accordance with Rule "15 of the
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Rules of-Court] COURT OF APPEALS ON A VERIFIED
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PETITION FOR REVIEW UNDER RULE 43 OF THE
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RULES OF COURT. AN APPEAL SHALL NOT STOP THE
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DECISION FROM BEING EXECUTORY.
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"The above rules may be amended or modified by the
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Office of the Ombudsman as the interest of justice may
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require."
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Sec. 6. Insert a new Section 31-A after Section 31 of R.A. No. 6770 which shall
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read as follows:
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"SEC. 31-A. IMMUNITY FROM SUIT OF
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OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGA TORS AND PROSECUTORS. -
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OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATORS AND PROSECUTORS,
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INCLUDING THOSE DEPUTIZED BY THE OMBUDSMAN
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PURSUANT TO SECTION 31 HEREOF, SHALL BE
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IMMUNE FROM CRIMINAL, ADMINISTRATIVE OR
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CIVIL SUITS ARISING FROM THEIR MANDATE AND
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THE REGULAR EXERCISE OF THEIR OFFICIAL
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FUNCTIONS."
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Sec. 7. Insert a new Section 36-A after Section 36 of R.A. No. 6770 which shall
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read as follows:
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"SEC. 
36-A. ILLEGAL DISCLOSURE OF
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INFORMATION - IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR A
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PERSON WHO RECEIVES A SUBPOENA, OTHER
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ORDERS, OR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM
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THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN PURSUANT TO THE
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EXERCISE OF THE LAITER'S POWERS UNDER SECTION


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15 HEREOF TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION
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CONCERNING SAID ORDERS OR REQUESTS, AND THE
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PROCEEDINGS RELATED THERETO THAT MAY
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OBSTRUCT, HINDER OR PREJUDICE THE
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INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDINGS. ANY VIOLATION
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OF THIS SECTION WILL SUBJECT THE OFFENDER TO
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IMPRISONMENT RANGING FROM SIX (6) MONTHS
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AND ONE (1) DAY TO THREE (3) YEARS, AND A FINE
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OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS
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(P50,000.00) BUT NOT MORE THAN FIVE HUNDRED
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THOUSAND PESOS (P500,000.00)."
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Ombudsman shall issue,
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within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, the necessary rules and
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regulation relating to the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of this
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Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof
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which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or rules and regulations,
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and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,