AMENDMENTS TO THE OMBUDSMAN ACT

Lead Agency: Oce of the Ombudsman

Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations




Brief Description


The Ombudsmans Act of 1989 or Republic Act No. 6770 provides the directive for the functional and
structural organization of the Office of the Ombudsman. Amendments to the current law to strengthen the
institutional capacity of the Office were proposed that will cover, among others, the powers and functions
of the Ombudsman and fiscal autonomy of the Office. Specifically, this includes strengthening the
subpoena powers and contempt powers of the Ombudsman, which will include access to bank records.
Further, the amendment will allow for the immediate implementation of Ombudsman decisions even during
election period and protection for whistleblowers in corrupt cases as well as immunity for Ombudsman
investigators, complainants and witnesses from criminal, administrative, and civil suits.




HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENATE

Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



Preventive Suspension:
HB 980 (Rep. Tupas)


Fiscal Autonomy of the
OMB:
HB 1691 (Rep.
Nograles)




















Forfeiture Law
HB 2205 (Rep. Escude-
ro)
HB3246 (Rep. Angara-
Castillo)




Strengthening the
Sandiganbayan
HB 139 (Rep. Abaya)
HB 3992 (Rep. R.
Rodriguez)
HB 4108 (Rep. Tupas)
Pending with the
Committee on Justice
(Chair: Rep. N. Tupas)

HB 980 and HB 1691 were referred to
SJPC member agencies on August
12, 2013 for review and preparation
of official position papers

HB 1691 was also referred to GGACC
member agencies for review and
preparation of official position papers

Ombudsman draft 9DBM and DOJ
reservations to be reviewed towards a
consensus)

No consensus from the cluster

Referred to Reps. Tupas, Robredo and
Farias

May be filed on a piece-meal basis or
as single omnibus measure bill

Referred to SJPC member agencies for
review and preparation of official
position papers

Administration version referred to
Reps. Robredo, Tupas and Farias;
DBM & DOJ reservations to be
reviewed towards a consensus

Pending with the Committee on Jus-
tice (Chair: Rep. N. Tupas)
SB 1148 (Sen. Trillanes)
Ombudsman Act

SB 396 ((Sen. Santiago)
Ombudsman Act



SB 1725 (Sen. Angara)
Amending Sec. 6, Forfei-
ture Law (Value of For-
feited Properties in Cor-
ruption Cases)

SB 1606 (Sen. Estrada)
Amending Sec. 6, Forfei-
ture Law

SB 1162 (Sen. Trillanes)
Forfeiture Powers of the
State


SB 605 (Sen. Escudero)
Forfeiture Law (Fixed
Percentage of the Value
of Forfeited Properties)
Pending in the Committee
on Justice and Human
Rights (Chairman: Sen.
Pimentel III)


TWG Held on Feb. 13,
2014

The Office of the Om-
budsman is still on the
stage of drafting their
version, though, per their
DLLS, the Amendments
to the Sandiganbayan
Act is their top priority
followed by the Forfei-
ture Law then the Om-
budsman Charter
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL

Lead Agency: Presidential Communications Development

and Strategic Planning Oce



Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations




Brief Description


The proposed Freedom of Information Act aims to mandate the disclosure of public documents. The
proposed bill also outlines the exceptions for public disclosure and the procedures for accessing public
documents. The Technical Working Group for the Administration Bill agreed to a number of balancing
amendments proposed by advocates (such as but not limited to the Right to Know, Right Now Coalition) to
address possible government abuse of the exceptions. There are also specific procedures for access
remedies in case of denial, and provision for the Freedom of Information Manual or the Peoples Ownership
of Government Information Manual.



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 19 (Rep. Robredo)
HB 26 (Rep. Del Mar)
HB 34 (Rep. Teodoro)
HB 94 (Rep. Baguilat)
HB 149 (Rep. Paquiz)
HB 347 (Rep. Colmenares)
HB 485 (Rep. Biazon)
HB 843 (Rep. Tugna)
HB 1082 (Rep. Castelo)
HB 1450 (Rep. Ramos)
HB 1555 (Rep. Suansing)
HB 1646 (Rep. Fortuno)
HB 1940 (Rep. Antoni-
no-Nadres)
HB 2003 (Rep. Gutier-
rez-Ibarra)
HB 2067 (Rep. Nograles)
HB 2656 (Rep. D. Arroyo)
HB 2946 (Rep. Paez)
HB 3004 (Rep. Tambun-
ting)
HB 3131 (Rep. Romualdo)
HB 3147 (Rep. Aglipay)
HB 3183 (Rep. J.C.
Belmonte)
HB 3188 (Rep. Apostol)
HB 3237 (Rep. Robredo)
HB 3385 (Rep. Villar)
PET 01 (Peoples Initia-
tive)
HB 3643 (Rep. Cruz-Gon-
zales)
HB 3746 (Rep. Aragones)
Pending with the Committee on
Public Information (Chair: Rep. J.
Almonte)

TWG deliberations of the proposed
consolidated version on-going.

HB 3237 is identical with draft
Administration version submitted by
PCDSPO

Lead Agency: PCDSPO
Agency Support: All Government
Agencies

Referred to GGACC member agen-
cies for review and preparation of
official position papers

Administration version (GGACC
draft; no endorsement from the
Cluster)

Authors have been consolidating
support from the Civil Society Orga-
nizations
SB 1733/CR 2

Peoples Freedom of Informa-
tion Act of 2013
(Consolidated/Substituted Per
Committee Report No. 2 Sept.
24, 2013)

In substitution of
PS RES. 102 (Sen. Grace Poe),
Freedom of Information Act

SB 1219 (Sen. Angara)
Freedom of Information Act of
2013

SB 514 (Sen. Legarda)
Freedom of Information Act of
2013

SB 217 (Sen. Ejercito)
Freedom of Information Act of
2013

SB 90 (Sen. Alan
Cayetano)
Freedom of Information Act of
2013

SB 74 (Sen. Guingona)
Peoples Freedom of Informa-
tion Act of 2013

SB 64 (Sen.Honasan),
Peoples Ownership of Govern-
ment Information (POGI) Act
of 2013

SB 44 (SEN. OSMENA)
Freedom of Information Act

SB 36 (Sen. Trillanes)
Freedom of Information Act of
2013

SB 18 (Sen. Escudero)
Freedom of Information Act
Approved on
Third Reading
(Mar. 10, 2014)
CIVIL SERVICE CODE

Lead Agency: Civil Service Commission







Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The pursuit of this priority legislation has been announced by the President during the
2013 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Currently, CSC is drafting its version of the
Code. A CSC Technical Working Group (TWG) was created to expedite the drafting of
the Code and coordinate with the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) and the
Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster of the Legislative Liaison System (LLS) for
support for the early passage of the bill.





HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 153 (Rep. Paquiz)

HB 2400
(Rep. R. Rodriguez)

HB 2902 (Rep. Piamonte)
Pending with the Committee on Civil
Service and Professional Regulation
(Chair: Rep. A. Salvacion, Jr.)

Lead Agency: CSC
Agency Support: DBM

Referred to GGACC member- agen-
cies for review and preparation of
official position papers
SB 1174 (Sen. Trillanes)

SB 2012
(Sen. J. Estrada)
Pending with the
Committee on Civil
Service and
Government
Reorganization
(Chairman: Sen.
Trillanes)


CSC draft for approval
of key stakeholders
RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS AND PENSION LAW

FOR UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

Lead Agency: Department of Budget and Management





Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The bill aims to reform the pension system covering the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and the Philippine National Police to address sustainability concerns. The bills provisions
include the removal of the indexation of retirement benefits and pension to the salaries of
those in active duty. Instead, DBM and DOF shall be tasked to periodically review these
rates and recommend increases for the approval of the President. It will also deactivate
the AFP Retirement and Separation Benefits System (AFP-RSBS). New entrants into the
system will contribute 9% of their monthly compensation while their employer will
contribute 18%. There is also a proposal to return contributions to the AFP-RSBS of active
personnel. Any deficiency in funding will be provided by the national government.






HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks


No bill filed yet
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT

Lead Agency: Department of Justice








Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The proposed bill seeks to aid in the prosecution of corrupt and erring public officials
and employees through the provision of protection and reward for whistle blowers. It
proposes to create a Whistle Blower Protection Council chaired by the Over-all Deputy
Ombudsman. The council shall evaluate the qualification of whistleblowers and
administer the provision of benefits and protection for them. Rewards of up to
P400,000 plus 10% of any amount recovered will be provided to whistleblowers. It
also grants whistleblowers immunity from liability for disclosures made under this bill.




HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 135 (Rep. Villar
HB 150 (Rep. Paquiz)
HB 348 (Rep. Colmenares)
HB 1587 (Rep. Escudero)
HB 1632
(Rep. R. Rodriguez)
HB 2493
(Rep. Quisumbing)
HB 2831 (Rep. Arenas)
Pending with the Committee on
Justice (Chair: Rep. N. Tupas)

Lead Agency: DOJ
Agency Support: DBM

Referred to GGACC member agen-
cies on for review and preparation of
official position papers

DOJ supports the draft Committee
Report
SB 1932 (Sen. Ejercito)
Whistleblowers Protection,
Security and Benefit Act of
2013


SB 165 (Sen. Trillanes)
Whistleblower Protection Act
of 2013


SB 189(Sen. Santiago) Whis-
tleblowers' Protection Act


SB 425(Sen. Escudero) Whis-
tleblower Protection Act


SB 1286 (Sen. Estrada) Whis-
tleblower Protection Act For
2013
These bills are
pending in the
committee on
Justice and
Human Rights
(Chairman: Sen.
Pimentel III)


DOJ version sub-
mitted to Sen.
Pimentel on Feb.
19, 2014

No Committee
Hearing Schedule
yet
AMENDMENTS TO THE WITNESS PROTECTION,

SECURITY AND BENEFIT ACT

Lead Agency: Department of Justice





Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act or Republic Act No. 6981 was
approved in 1991. This law affirms the duty of the government to secure witnesses of
crimes and their families whose lives may be endangered. The current law needs to be
amended in order to improve the conditions and procedures for providing protection and
assistance to a witness during investigation and prosecution. Salient features of the bill
include a separate witness protection program for legislature, the coverage of law enforc-
ers under certain circumstances, additional responsibilities on the part of witnesses, addi-
tional education benefits for dependents, automatic immunity from criminal prosecution,
and immediate termination of protection benefits upon breach of MOA by witness.




HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 145 (Rep. Abaya)
HB 224
(Rep. Cruz-Gonzales)
HB 796 (Rep. Abayon)
HB 1628
(Rep. R. Rodriguez)
HB 1689 (Nograles)
HB 1924 (Rep. D. Arroyo)
HB 2069 (Rep. Nograles)
HB 2119 (Rep. Teodoro)
Pending with the Committee on
Justice(Chair: Rep. N. Tupas)

DOJ supports the draft Committee
Report

Lead Agency: DOJ
Agency Support: OP, DBM, OMB
SB 1136 (Sen. Santiago)
Witness Confidentiality Act
Pending in the
Committee on
Justice and
Human Rights
(Chairman: Sen.
Pimentel III)

File on Aug. 6,
2013

Read on 1st
reading, Aug. 28,
2013

DOJ version
submitted to Sen.
Pimentel on Feb.
13, 2014
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL

Lead Agency: Department of Budget and Management




Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The proposed bill seeks to strengthen fiscal discipline in the public sector. It prescribes a
set of principles that promote fiscal sustainability and prudent spending by ending the
proliferation of unfunded laws through the implementation of an off-setting mechanism. It
also seeks to institutionalize the Performance-Informed Budgeting started in 2013. Salient
provisions of the bill are the inclusion of major final outputs and performance indicators in
the formulation of the annual budget to be passed by Congress, restriction on the release
of Personnel Services appropriations based on the information provided in the Govern-
ment Manpower Information Service, and all expenditure bills to be passed by Congress
must be offset by measures that provide for a permanent increase in revenue or a perma-
nent reduction in other expenditures.





HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 142 (Rep. Abaya)
HB2702 (Rep. Andaya)
Pending with the Committee on
Appropriations (Chair: Rep. I. Ungab)

Lead Agency: DBM
Agency Support: DOF, NEDA

Referred to GGACC member agen-
cies on for review and preparation of
official position papers

Administration version (DBM draft;
no endorsement from the Cluster)

HB 2702 (Rep. Andaya) is a re-file
from the 15th Congress based on
the DBM draft
SB 626 (Sen. Recto)
Fiscal Responsibility Act
Pending in the
Committee on Finance:
(Chairman: Sen.
Escudero)


1st Public Hearing held
on Feb. 26, 2014.
Sen. Escudero
instructed the Com
Sec to consolidate
everything in
preparation for a TWG

The DBM is yet to
submit the admin
version (as reported
out on Mar. 6th)
CRIMINAL CODE

Lead Agency: Department of Justice




Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The proposed bill aims to amend the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.






HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 2032 (Rep. Tupas)
(Administration bill)
Pending with the Committee on
Justice (Chair: Rep. N. Tupas)

The Criminal Code Commission held
public hearing/consultation in
Tagaytay on 3/6/14 for purposes of
introducing perfecting amendments.

The Committee held a public hearing
on September 20, 2013 in Cebu City
to explain to the people the merits of
the measure and to solicit comments
from stakeholders.
The Committee agreed to create a
TWG to fine tune the provisions of
the measure.

Present during the hearing were
Chair Tupas, reps. Relampagos,
Loyola, Salimbangon and Caminero.

Present as resource persons were
Asst. Sol. Gen. Marissa Guillen,
Govt. Coporate Counsel Raoul
Creencia and Parole Probation
Administrator Manuel Co.

Lead Agency: DOJ

Referred to the SJPC member cluster
for review and preparation of official
position papers

Administration version (DOJ draft; no
endorsement from the Cluster)
No Bill Filed
No Bill Filed


Public Hearing held at
Tagaytay on March 6,
2014

A modified draft on Book
I (modification of HB
2300, Rep. Tupas) was
created and presented to
the SC Justices including
CJ Sereno and garnered
good response; the
Criminal Code Committee
(CCC) will prepare the
draft HoR Committee
Report; same draft will
then be endorsed to the
Senate together with the
draft Book II.

Book II draft is on its final
stages, conducting con-
sultations and FGD with
stakeholders
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BILL

Lead Agency: Department of Justice




Outcome 4. Improved Policy Environment for Good Governance
Sub-outcome 4.1. Greater Support for the Passage of
Priority Legislations





Brief Description


The proposed bill seeks to strengthen, streamline and rationalize the criminal
investigation process in the country by instituting the following major
reforms: 1) harmonize and integrate the functions of the investigating law
enforcer and the investigating prosecutor in criminal investigations, 2) repeal
Republic Act No. 5180, the law which presently governs the conduct of
preliminary investigations. Ultimately, this Bill seeks to streamline the criminal
investigation process by providing only two simple steps: criminal
investigation, and preliminary hearing.



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SENATE


Bills Filed
Status/Remarks
Bills Filed Status/Remarks



HB 2032 (Rep. Tupas)
(Administration Bill)
Pending with the Committee on
Justice (Chair: Rep. Tupas)

The Criminal Code Commission held
public hearing/consultation in Tagay-
tay on 3/6/14 for purposes of intro-
ducing perfecting amendments.

The Committee held a public hearing
on September 20, 2013 in Cebu City
to explain to the people the merits of
the measure and to solicit comments
from stakeholders.
The Committee agreed to create a
TWG to fine tune the provisions of
the measure.

Present during the hearing were
Chair Tupas, reps. Relampagos,
Loyola, Salimbangon and Caminero.

Present as resource persons were
Asst. Sol. Gen. Marissa Guillen,
Govt. Coporate Counsel Raoul
Creencia and Parole Probation
Administrator Manuel Co.

Lead Agency: DOJ

Referred to the SJPC member cluster
for review and preparation of official
position papers

Administration version (DOJ draft; no
endorsement from the Cluster)
No Bill Filed Administration version
endorsed to Sen. Drilon,
Sen. Pimentel and Sen.
Guingona


Public Hearing held at
Tagaytay on March 6,
2014