NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
SENATE 
s. B. NO. 928
Senate
of l\)C
•22 JUL 28 PS «4
RECEIVED
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT DECLARING FORFEITURE 
IN FAVOR OF THE STATE ANY PROPERTY FOUND TO HAVE 
BEEN UNLAWFULLY ACQUIRED BY ANY PUBLIC OFFICER 
OR EMPLOYEE AMD PROVIDING FOR THE PROCEEDINGS 
THEREFOR” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The concept of the Ombudsman originated as a revolutionary innovation 
in Sweden. It was established as a watchdog that policed the government as a 
whole and had the power to decide and pursue the prosecution of civil servants. 
Due to its success, the Ombudsman model was adopted all over the world. In 
fact, some of the most developed countries or autonomous regions in the world 
have credited the Ombudsman model as one of the keys to its political success. 
In Sweden, the Parliamentary Ombudsman has been in the forefront of 
investigating over 5,000 complaints against government officials every year.
In the Philippines, the framers of the 1987 Constitution decided to adopt 
the model in the Philippines. However, while our Constitution has recognized 
the importance of an Ombudsman, the upsetting reality is that this vital 
institution has been long underfunded.
As the premier state anti-graft agency handling more than 10,000 cases 
a year, the Office of the Ombudsman should have adequate and alternative 
sources of funding, without relying so much on an overstretched national 
budget.1
1 Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report 2019, accessible at 
https://www.ombudsman.qov.ph/docs/08%20Resources/2019%200mbudsman%2QAnnual%20Report.p
^ {last accessed July 27. 2022).


This bill seeks to give additional funding to the Office of the Ombudsman, 
and thus, further empower it to perform its mandate, by mandating that 30% of 
the property forfeited by .he government pursuant to Republic Act No. 1379 be 
given to the Office. The bill also provides that in case the assets recovered are 
not in cash, these forfeited properties may be sold in a public auction, with 30% 
of the proceeds going to the Office of the Ombudsman and the remaining 70% 
reverting to the national treasury.
Indeed, corruption in the public service will significantly be reduced if the 
appropriate agencies, such as the Office of the Ombudsman, are armed with 
the necessary means to perform their respective mandates in fighting graft and 
corruption in the government. This bill is a significant step towards this direction.
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA


^ i>cnate
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of t!}f fectrc'tarp
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PH LIPPINES
First Regular Session
•22 JUL28 P S J04
RECEIVED
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 928
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 6 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT DECLARING FORFEITURE IN 
FAVOR OF THE STATE ANY PROPERTY FOUND TO HAVE BEEN 
UNLAWFULLY ACQUIRED BY ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR 
EMPLOYEE AND PROVIDING FOR THE PROCEEDINGS 
THEREFOR” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 1379 is hereby amended to
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read as follows:
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"Section 6. Judgment. If the respondent is unable to show to the
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satisfaction of the court that he has lawfully acquired the property
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in question, then the court shall declare such property, forfeited
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in favor of the State, and by virtue of such judgment the property
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aforesaid shall become property of the State: Provided, That
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THIRTY PERCENT (30%) OF THE VALUE OF SUCH
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PROPERTY FORFEITED IN A FINAL AND EXECUTORY
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ORDER OF THE COURT SHALL BE EARMARKED AS
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ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN FAVOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE
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OMBUDSMAN: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IF THE
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PROPERTY IS NOT IN CASH, THE PROPERTY SHALL BE
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SOLD AT A PUBLIC AUCTION AND THE PROCEEDS
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THEREOF, AFTER DEDUCTING THE THIRTY PERCENT
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(30%) SHARE OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AS
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PROVIDED HEREIN, SHALL ACCRUE TO THE GENERAL
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FUND. No judgment shall be rendered within six months before
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any general election or within three months before any special
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election. The Court may, in addition, refer this case to the


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corresponding Executive Department for administrative or
criminal action, or both."
SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations.-W\ih'm sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Office of the Ombudsman, in consultation 
with relevant stakeholders and other concerned government agencies, shall 
issue the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC. 3. 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 portions or 
provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations and administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent 
herewith are hereby revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 5. Effectivity Ciause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved,