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The Office of the Ombudsman
What
is the Ombudsman's job?
The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent, constitutional body
that receives and investigates complaints against public officials,
and government- owned or -controlled corporations.
It is the Ombudsman's job to:
- Investigate
and prosecute cases of corruption in government
- Investigate
and prosecute acts of public officers, employees, offices or agencies
that appear to be "illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient"
Based on the results of its investigation, the Ombudsman makes
appropriate recommendations, and files and prosecutes criminal,
civil or administrative cases before the proper court or administrative
body.
Because of this mandate, the Ombudsman has been described as a
graft-buster, public defender; a grievance man, a watchman over
the law's watchmen, voice of the citizen; and citizen's counselor.
It is the Ombudsman's task to assist people in obtaining justice
against erring public officials and employees, and to investigate
and prosecute all government officials and employees for committing
acts that are illegal, unjust, improper, inefficient, or unethical.
The Office of the Ombudsman was created to be the watchdog of the
people under Article XI, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution. Republic
Act 6770 - otherwise known as The Ombudsman Act of 1989 - defines
its mandate as follows:
Section
13. Mandate. - The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of
the people, shall 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.
What
can the Ombudsman do?
Under Republic Act 6770 (The Ombudsman Act), the Ombudsman can:
- Suspend
officials under investigation
- Direct
government officials to perform any duty required by law
- Procure
all necessary documents and information from government agencies
- Publicize
cases in the media
- Administer
oaths, issue subpoenas, examine bank records
- Hold
individuals in contempt
- Investigate
and prosecute private individuals if they are part of a conspiracy
with a government agent or an institution
READ
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Backgrounding Officials
Documents to look for
-
Official biodata
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Newspapers,
magazines, and newsletters
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Biographies,
family histories, genealogies, and Who's Who Directories and
yearbooks
-
Listings
of trade and professional organizations
-
Statements
of assets
-
Land
records
-
Corporate
records
-
Vehicle
registration records
-
Licenses
and permits (for firearms, business, etc.)
-
School
records
-
Civil
registry records (birth, marriage, etc.)
-
Voter
registration records
-
Record
of campaign expenditures
-
Speeches
and papers
-
Immigration
(arrival and departure) records
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