SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. U9
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution states:

“Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees
must at all tines be accountable to the people, serve them with
utmost responsibilty, integrity, loyally, and efficiency; act with
patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

It is important for the government to maintain honesty and integrity in the public
service and to take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption. In this
regard, as early as June 18, 1955, Republic Act No, 1379 was enacted declaring forfeiture in
favor of the State any property found to have been unlawlully acquired by any public officer
or employee

The Office of the Ombudsman is mandated to act promptly on complaints filed in any
form or manner against officers or employees of the Government, or of any subdivision,
agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations,
and enforce their administrative, civil and criminal liability in every case where the evidence
warrants in order to promote efficient service by the Government to the people. To help the
Office of the Ombudsman to perform its duties more efficiently, there is a need to augment
the fund appropriated to it.

Hence, this bill declaring that 30% of the value of the property forfeited in accordance
with Republic Act No, 1379 shall be given to the Office of the Ombudsman.

In view thereof, immediate approval of this Bill is sought,

RUFUS B. ROD!

MAXIMOS. web JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
_Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

3803

House Bill No.

AN ACT
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.”

SEC. 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 portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect
in their entirety.

SEC. 3. 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. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,