THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent constitutional body 
created to be the “champions and protectors of the citizen.” For this purpose, it 
is authorized to entertain complaints and take all necessary actions thereon, 
except to file the corresponding complaint, which is the job of the Tanodbayan. 
The Ombudsman is vested with broad powers to deter public officials 
and employees from committing abuse, graft and corruption. Concomitant to its 
powers of investigation, it can direct any public official or employee of the 
government including government owned or controlled corporations to explore 
and expedite any act to stop and correct any abuse or impropriety in the 
performance of public duties. 
The Ombudsman has its main office in Manila, and its regional offices in 
large cities like Cebu and Davao. To this day, the people in the provinces 
continue to have to travel to the regional centers at great expense in terms of 
effort, time and money to air their complaints. 
This bill seeks to bring justice within closer access to the people by 
requiring the Ombudsman to designate deputies in every province where they 
can hear and attend to the people’s complaints without so much expense on 
the part of the citizens. 
This measure will be an eloquent demonstration of the government’s 
sincerity in putting an end to the graft and corruption and its debilitating effects 
on the economic life of the nation. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly urged. 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
Introduced by Senator S. R. QsmeAa 111 
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AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 31 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6770 ENTITLED "AN ACT 
FOR THE FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL 
ORGANIZATION OF 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 I. 
Section 31 of Republic Act No. 6770 is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"Sec 31. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF PROVINCIAL OFFICERS; 
Designation of PROVINCIAL DEPUTIES, Investigators and Prosecutors. - 
The Ombudsman §HALL ESTABLISH AN OFFICE 'IN EVERY PROVINCE 
AND FOR THIS PURPOSE may utilize [the] ANY QUALIFIED personnel of 
his office andlor designate or deputize any fiscal, ASSISTANT FISCAL, 
state prosecutor or lawyer in the government service to RECEIVE SUCH 
COMPLAINTS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, 
CONDUCT PRELIMINA.RY INVESTIGATION THEREON AND/OR act as 
special investigator 
or prosecutor 
to assist in the investigation and 
prosecution of certain cases. Those designated or deputized to assist him 
as herein provided shall be under his supervision and control. 
The Ombudsman andlor his PROVINCIAL DEPUTY, 
investigators 
and prosecutors, whether regular members of his staff or designated by 
him as herein provided, shall have authority to administer oaths, to issue 
subpoena and subpoena duces tecum, to summon and compel witnesses 
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to appear and testify under oath before them 
and/or 
bring books, 
documents 
and other things under their control, 
and to secure 
the 
attendance or presence of any absent or recalcitrant witnesses through 
application before the Sandiganbayan or before any inferior or superior 
court having jurisdiction. of the place where the witnesses or evidence is 
found.” 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause - All laws, executive orders, resolutions, 
ordinances, and any rules and regulation which may be inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed, 
amended or modified 
accordingly . 
SECTION 3 Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take upon its approval. 
Approved, 
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