House okays bill tapping private prosecutors to aid Ombudsman

The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the bill that authorizes the Office of the Ombudsman to tap or hire the services of private prosecutors who could help prosecute government officials whose graft cases involve P5 million and above.

"This landmark bill will dramatically help the government hasten the resolution of graft and corruption cases involving constitutional officers and public employees without too much drain in public funds," Speaker Jose de Venecia said.

The measure aims to give more teeth to the government’s campaign against corruption, especially since the Office of the Ombudsman lacks the necessary manpower to go after crooks in government.

Among the bill’s principal authors are Eastern Samar Rep. Marcelino Libanan and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, who once served as justice secretary when his predecessor Hernando Perez left the government.

The House also approved on final reading the Anti-Smuggling Act of 2005 which "plugs the loopholes" in the present Tariff and Customs Code, which could help the government generate P150 billion in revenues, enough to reduce the huge budget deficit.

According to Libanan, the independent constitutional body is "in dire need of competent and qualified lawyers," in light of the testimony given by Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo in the hearings conducted by Datumanong’s committee on justice.

"Lawyers shy away from government service because of inadequate compensation compared to those being offered by private corporations and law firms," Marcelo told congressmen, revealing that most of his staff are "overworked and underpaid."

Libanan said the measure "amends" Republic Act 6770, or the Ombudsman Act of 1989. The new bill provides, however, that private prosecutors’ services would be rendered for "free," save for the "necessary incidental expenses" like filing, transportation, photocopying fees and the like.