Politics · Philippines Bureau
Ombudsman urges Senate to grant independent law enforcement powers
The Office of the Ombudsman has called on the Senate to establish an in-house enforcement service, seeking to reduce its reliance on other government agencies. The proposal aims to strengthen the institution's ability to independently execute its investigative and prosecutorial functions.
LSN Philippines ·
Manila — Senior officials from the Office of the Ombudsman presented a proposal to a Senate panel on Monday requesting legislative authority to create an internal law enforcement unit, citing the need for greater autonomy in fulfilling the office's constitutional mandate.
Assistant Ombudsman PMGen. Eliseo DC Cruz and Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Luis Gonzaga Bonoan Jr. outlined the proposal before Senate legislators, arguing that establishing a dedicated enforcement service would reduce delays and dependencies inherent in coordinating with external law enforcement agencies.
The Ombudsman's office currently depends on various government agencies to implement enforcement actions stemming from its investigations into administrative and criminal cases. Officials characterized this arrangement as a potential bottleneck to the institution's efficiency and independence in serving the public interest.
The proposal represents an effort to streamline the Ombudsman's operations and ensure timely action on cases under its jurisdiction. The Senate panel is expected to evaluate the legislative requirements and implications of granting such enforcement powers to the independent constitutional body.