Tag: Office of the Ombudsman

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Lacson to Present Flood Control Progress Report in Privilege Speech

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson is set to present the panel’s Chairman’s Progress Report on the flood control scandal in a privilege speech when the Senate resumes session in May.

Lacson said this will pave the way for the resumption of hearings on the flood control mess, as the partial committee report has yet to secure the needed signatures for filing and sponsorship in plenary.

“I will present it via a privilege speech entitled ‘The Chairman’s FCP Progress Report.’ At least kung privilege speech, since ayaw magpirma ng ibang members, I don’t have to consult them (Other committee members do not seem keen on signing the partial report. If I present it via a privilege speech, I would not need to consult them),” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson, Maghahain ng Flood Control Progress Report sa Privilege Speech

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Lacson: Blue Ribbon Panel Pushing Ban on Allocables and Leadership Fund

Abolish the system of allocables and the “leadership fund” from the national budget, strengthen transparency in the budget process, and expand the powers of the Office of the Ombudsman to pursue corruption cases.

Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday that these are among the emerging recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe into anomalous flood control projects.

These are aside from the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearings being instrumental in the ongoing preliminary investigations of the Department of Justice and the Ombudsman into key figures involved in the scandal – including former and incumbent lawmakers – as well as the trial happening at the Sandiganbayan, he emphasized.

Lacson pointed out that “almost all the recommendations in the partial committee report have already been overtaken by events as they are already being undertaken and in fact the said preliminary investigations are nearing completion if not completed already.”

“(Kasama sa rekomendasyon ng komite ang) ibawal ang allocables at leadership fund. Ito ang reporma tungkol sa budget. Tapos gawing transparent, of course ginawa namin sa 2026 budget, transparent ang entire budgeting process (Among the committee’s recommendations are to ban allocables and the leadership fund as part of reforms in the budgeting system. And make the crafting of the budget transparent, similar to what we did for the 2026 General Appropriations Act),” Lacson said in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Blue Ribbon Panel, Itinutulak ang Pagbabawal sa Allocables at Leadership Fund

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Lacson: Measures Empowering Ombudsman Among Blue Ribbon’s Partial Recommendations on Flood Control Mess

Proposed legislation to strengthen the fight against corruption by empowering the Office of the Ombudsman will be among the partial recommendations of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following its investigation into the flood control scandal, Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson said these include allowing the undermanned Office of the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers as prosecutors, and giving it a law enforcement arm to apply for search warrants and follow up the investigation of corruption-related cases.

“One recommendation is based on the suggestion of former Senate President Franklin Drilon to allow the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers to help in prosecuting cases, because the Office of the Ombudsman is very undermanned. If we allow it to deputize private lawyers to act as prosecutors by way of legislation, that would be a good measure,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZMM radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Panukalang Magpapalakas sa Ombudsman Kabilang sa Bahagyang Rekomendasyon ng Blue Ribbon sa Isyu ng Flood Control

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Read: Republic Act 11059, An Act Establishing a Retirement Benefit System in the Office of the Ombudsman

Republic Act 11059 establishes a retirement benefit system in the Office of the Ombudsman. Sen. Lacson’s Senate Bill 1638, which was consolidated into Senate Bill 1762, is part of the new law.

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Read: Senate Bill 1638, An Act Seeking to Strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman via a Retirement Benefit System

Senate Bill 1638 strengthens the Office of the Ombudsman by establishing a retirement benefit system for the Ombudsman, his/her deputies, the special prosecutor and other officials and employees performing legal, prosecution, investigation and corruption prevention functions. It also seeks to augment employees’ benefits.

“Given the indispensable role of the Office of the Ombudsman in the eradication of graft and corruption, it is only but fitting to provide them with a competitive retirement scheme commensurate and comparable to other officials and employees in government performing equally vital functions.”

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