Bill raising pay, benefits of Ombuds workers filed

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed increase of salaries of employees of the Office of the Ombudsman sponsored by Cebu City North District Representative Raul Del Mar is now pending before the House Committee on Justice since September 15, 2014.

Del Mar filed House Bill 4993 augmenting the compensation and benefits of Ombudsman employees with the aim to strengthen the institution in its fight against graft and corruption.

The proposed legislative measure which amends Republic Act No. 6770, otherwise known as the Ombudsman Act of 1989, levels the salaries, allowances, emoluments and other privileges of the Assistant Ombudsman and other permanent employees with Salary Grade 29 to that of Regional Trial Court judges.

The salaries, allowances, emoluments and other privileges of the Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer (GIPO) IV and other permanent employees with Salary Grade 28 will be leveled to that of Metropolitan Trial Court judges.

GIPO III and other permanent employees with Salary Grade 27 and GIPO II and other permanent employees with Salary Grade 26 shall get the same salaries, allowances, emoluments and privileges being received by City Trial Court judges and Municipal Circuit Trial Court judges and Municipal Trial Court judges, respectively.

Del Mar, in a press statement, said that the Office of the Ombudsman is tasked to investigate on its own complaints on illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient act of any public official, employee, office or agency.

“Though zealous, the men and women of the Office of the Ombudsman, themselves government officials and employees, are not spared from challenges brought about by numerous harassment suits filed against them by disgruntled litigants. Moreover, their personal safety and the safety of their family are at constant risk due to the high-profile cases they are handling,” Del Mar said.

Despite the enormity of their task of battling graft and corruption, Del Mar said the employees’ salaries and benefits are not comparable to that of their counterparts in other government agencies and in other anti-graft and corruption bodies in the Asia Pacific region.

While it addresses the plight of the employees, the bill also enhances the fiscal autonomy of the Office of the Ombudsman, according to Del Mar.

It provides that the funds necessary to support the granting of the special allowances and benefits to the employees of the said office shall be taken from 35 percent of the value or proceeds of forfeited assets under Republic Act No. 1379 and all other income, fees and revenues collected by the institution.

“With the enactment of this bill into law, it is believed that the enhancement of the welfare of the country’s graftbusters will strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman as an institution in its fight against graft and corruption,” Del Mar said.  (FREEMAN)