Broader anti-corruption powers eyed for Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon committee will recommend broadening the Office of the Ombudsman’s anti-corruption mandate, in its upcoming partial report on the flood control scandal.

Speaking to dzMM yesterday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate anti-graft panel would recommend a bill that would allow the undermanned ombudsman to deputize private lawyers as prosecutors.

“One recommendation is based on the suggestion of former Senate president Franklin Drilon to allow the Ombudsman to deputize private lawyers to help in prosecuting cases, because the Office of the Ombudsman is very undermanned. If we allow it to deputize private lawyers to act as prosecutors by way of legislation, that would be a good measure,” Lacson said.

The panel would also recommend giving the ombudsman a law enforcement arm to apply for search warrants and follow up the investigation of corruption-related cases.

The ombudsman only relies on the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation for help in investigating corruption or enforcing search warrants.

Lacson said the partial recommendations are aligned with the Blue Ribbon’s investigation in aid of legislation mandate.

He also credited the probe for submitting evidence to the ombudsman, Department of Justice and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to pin down those behind the multibillion-peso flood control corruption racket.

Meanwhile, Lacson cautioned the government on the report that flood control corruption suspect now fugitive ex-Ako Bicol congressman Zaldy Co is hiding in Stockholm, Sweden based on the latter’s petition before the Supreme Court.

Lacson said the document may have been used to throw off investigators from capturing him.

“He could be on the move. It could even be meant to confuse those following him,” Lacson said.