THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
'04 AUG 17 :) :;j:j 
First Regular Session 
) 
INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill intends to combat corruption 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. 
The mechanism by which this bill seeks to provide additional funding to the 
Ombudsman is through the amendment of Section 6 of the Forfeiture Law. Specifically, 
it will be done by earmarking ten percent (10%) of the value of the assets forfeited in 
favor of the government under the said law. It is this percentage which will be used as 
additional funding to the general budget of the Ombudsman. It is hoped that with these 
extra funds the Ombudsman will be able to effectively perform its mandate. 
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For comparison, thirty years ago, Hong Kong was considered as one of the most 
corrupt countries in Asia. It is now perceived as the 2"d least corrupt country in Asia. On 
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, the other hand, the Philippines is currently perceived to be the 4th most corrupt country in 
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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. The ICAC budget for 2003 was equivalent to P5 billion while the 
budget of the Ombudsman and other support anti-graft agencies only totaled P500 
million. The ICAC has a staff of 1,060 that looks after a bureaucracy of about 150,000 
people. On the other hand, the Ombudsman and the other agencies have a staff of 
approximately 1,100 which looks after a bureaucracy with a size of 1.4 million. It is, 
thus, clear that the effectiveness of any anti-graft body is directly related to the resources 
and logistical Support it has relative to the number of public officers it has to watch. 
On th I s basis, there is a clear need for the anti-graft agencies led by the 
Ombudsman to be given more funding whenever possible so that it will be more effective 
in the performance of its mandate. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of 
M A R ROXAS 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
) 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
mDd RUG 17 i)2 :,3,;3 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE A PERCENTAGE OF THE VALUE OF FORFEITED 
BY THE OMBUDSMAN TO BE EARMARKED FOR THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC 
ACT do. 1379 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE FORFEITURE LAW. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assem bled: 
PROPERTIES DERIVED FROM ANTI-CORRUPTION CASES PROSECUTED 
Section 1. Sec.6 of Republic Act No. 1379 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Sec. 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 property in 
question forfeited in favor of the State, and by virtue of such 
judgment the property aforesaid shall become property of the 
State: PROVIDED, THAT TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE 
VALUE OF SUCH PROPERTY FORFEITED IN FAVOR OF 
THE STATE SHALL BE EARMARKED AS ADDITIONAL 
FUNDING 
IN 
FAVOR 
OF 
THE 
OFFICE 
OF 
THE 
OMBUDSMAN; I PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE 
PROPERTY IS NOT IN CASH IT SHALL BE SOLD AT 
PUBLIC AUCTION AND THE PROCEEDS THEREFORE, 
AFTER DEDUCTING THE 10% FOR THE OFFICE OF THE 
OMBUDSMAN, SHALL ACCRUE TO THE GENERAL FUND. 
No judgment shall be rendered within six months before any 
general election or within three months before any special election. 
The Court may, in addition, refer this case to the corresponding 
executive department for administrative or criminal action, or both. 
Section 2. Separability Clause. - Any portion or provisions of this Act that may 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other 
portions and provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still 
subsist and be given effect in their entirety. 
Section 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations 
and administrative regulations, or parts or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Section 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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