The Senate is considering a proposal to give the Office of the Ombudsman its own law enforcement arm to carry out arrests, searches and seizures and investigate corruption cases.
The proposal was discussed Monday, Oct. 5, during a Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing chaired by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
Senate Bill No. 2394, filed by Senator Panfilo Lacson, seeks to create an Ombudsman Marshall Service that would serve as the agency’s law enforcement arm.
Pangilinan said the Ombudsman needs stronger enforcement powers to implement its legal orders, secure evidence and protect witnesses.
“Kaya kailangang bigyan ang Office of the Ombudsman ng sapat na kakayahan at kapangyarihan para maipatupad ang mga ligal nitong utos, masiguro ang mga ebidensiya, at maprotektahan ang mga saksi,” Pangilinan said.
He cited the 21 years it took for the Sandiganbayan to convict officials involved in the 2004 fertilizer fund scam, saying lengthy corruption cases weaken efforts to hold officials accountable.
“You know, convicting someone after 21 years all criminal — all corruption cases, is not the way to go,” Pangilinan said.
He also cited a Commission on Audit report stating that P1.3 trillion is lost to corruption annually.
“Kung hindi natin aayusin ito, at hindi natin gagawan ng interventions, e kumuha na lang tayo ng bato at pukpok natin sa ulo natin, kasi ganoon din naman ang magiging resulta,” he said.
Pangilinan said the Senate Committee on Finance supports the Ombudsman’s request for an additional P168 million under the proposed 2027 national budget to establish the Marshall Service.
The proposed service would be headed by a special investigator with the rank of deputy ombudsman. Its members would have powers to make arrests, conduct searches and seizures, and protect witnesses and persons in custody.
“Kung paano tayo naghahanda para sa Super El Niño, dapat din nating tiyakin na matatapos ang Super Impunity,” Pangilinan said.IMT
