Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. Annie Perez, ABS-CBN News/file
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday said it is open to working with lawmakers on updating the Ombudsman Act of 1989, which could authorize it to make arrests and conduct searches through a new law enforcement arm.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he welcomes "discussions on updating the law to respond to present-day challenges in fighting corruption" and is ready to work with Congress on that.
This comes after the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and Committee on Ways and Means conducted a hearing on Monday tackling the proposed Ombudsman Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Powers Act to amend the current law.
The bill, which Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson filed in August, would create the Ombudsman Marshal Service.
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Ombudsman marshals would be authorized tp make arrests, detain suspects, conduct searches and seizures, and carry out investigations.
They will be authorized to carry firearms for their own protection and for the protection of witnesses and people in custody.
The service could be called on to enforce orders, writs or processes of the Ombudsman, the Sandiganbayan or any anti-corruption court.
A separate provision would give it authority to enforce the Ombudsman's decisions and resolutions, including contempt citations.
The bill also requires "adequate facilities" for people in custody, including detainees, whistleblowers and witnesses. Funding would come from the Ombudsman's regular appropriations.
Assistant Ombudsman Luis Bonoan said in the agency's opening statement that its investigative authority is constrained by the lack of enforcement mechanisms.
"An office that investigates powerful officials...must be able to protect its own people. That is part of our constitutional independence," Bonoan said.
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Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who presided over the hearing, emphasized that laws and institutions need to be more responsive to the citizens’ clamor for justice.
"Ika nga, uhaw ang bayan sa katarungan, pananagutan at mga pinunong karapat-dapat pagkatiwalaan ng publiko… Kaya kailangang bigyan ang Office of the Ombudsman ng sapat na kakayahan at kapangyarihan para maipatupad ang mga legal nitong utos," Pangilinan said.
(As they say, the country thirsts for justice, accountability and for leaders who deserve public trust... That is why the Office of the Ombudsman needs the capability and authority to enforce its legal orders.)