Broader anti-corruption powers eyed for OmbudsmanMANILA, 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 ombudsman only relies on the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation for help in investigating corruption or enforcing search warrants.
