Attractive pay, perks await new Ombudsman lawyers

MANILA, Philippines - A very attractive compensation package awaits the new lawyers that will be hired as investigators and prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman, a spokesman for the office said yesterday.

Rawnsle Lopez, spokesman for Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said the starting gross salary for the new government lawyers would be from P65,000 to P80,000.

Lopez stressed the additional allowances to be given to the new lawyers will make someone wanting to start a career in government take the chance.

She said the lowest ranking positions of Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer 1 (GIPO-1), a lawyer of the Office of the Ombudsman will receive a gross monthly pay of P52,000, which is separate from an allowance of P16,000.

For GIPO-3, Lopez said an Ombudsman lawyer will get a gross monthly salary of P59,000 along with an allowance of P21,000, which would cover for rice, transportation, basic commodity and other needs.

Lopez added the same compensation package applies to lawyers of the Ombudsman handling the cases at the Sandiganbayan under the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

To qualify, Lopez said the applicant should have at least three years of experience in the practice of law.

Lopez said the applicant should have unquestionable integrity and dedication to become a public servant. “As a rule also, you should have no pending administrative and criminal cases,” she added.

“We’re looking for dynamic, dedicated and hardworking lawyers with a passion for public service,” Lopez said.

Lopez emphasized the Office of the Ombudsman needs more legal eagles to handle cases filed before the anti-graft agency and follow up those already filed at the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales over the weekend ordered the hiring of more a hundred lawyers to ensure the speedy disposition of cases.