Republic of the Philippine 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Pasay City 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
s. B. No. 1725 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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Thirty years ago. Hong Kong was considered as one of the most corrupt countries in 
Asia. It is now perceived as among the least corrupt countries in Asia. On the other hand, the 
Philippines is now perceived as one of the most corrupt in the world. 
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 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. 
This bill 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. 
It will provide a mechanism wherein 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. It is hoped that with these extra funds the Ombudsman will be able to 
effectively perform its mandate. 
The delivery of justice to our people, especially when the hard-earned money they pay 
for taxes is being misused 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. 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S. B. No. 1725 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SONNY ANGARA 
AN ACT 
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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 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Sec. 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 property 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 SHALL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION 
AND THE PROCEEDS THEREOF, AFTER DEDUCTING THE THIRTY 
PERCENT (30%) 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." 
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SEC. 2. Separability Clause. Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions and provisions 
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hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in 
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their entirety. 
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. 
All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and 
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administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby reVOked, 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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