The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday said it will not ask for a bigger budget under the proposed 2024 National Expenditures Program (NEP).
Ombudsman Samuel Martires made the statement during the agency’s budget deliberation conducted by the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co.
Under the 2024 NEP, the Ombudsman is allotted P5.05 billion. The amount is P1.67 billion less than the agency’s proposed P6.7 billion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
During the hearing, Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto asked Martires if the amount approved by the DBM is enough for the agency’s operations given the budget cut. In response, Martires said the total budget allotted for the Ombudsman for next year may suffice to fulfill its mandate. He said the Ombudan is content with the budget given by DBM, and that the budget cut will will not be an issue.
Martires also said he is seeking the non-publication of audit observations of the Commission on Audit for government agencies.
“There is something that I would like to suggest to Congress if the special provisions or general provisions at the GAA (General Appropriations Act) be removed… to publish the audit observation memorandum. This has caused chaos because it creates an impression to a person once he reads that if a P10-million project has some lapses, it would appear that a government official has gained something. But (reality is) a receipt has not yet been submitted,” he lamented.
In 2021, Martires proposed penalties for “making commentaries” on the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of government officials and employees, citing similar reasons, and that in 2020, he released more stringent rules for access to SALNs, including a notarized authorization from the filer of the SALN.
Martires then blamed a law which amended the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.
Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez meanwhile said he supports the Ombudsman’s request for bigger confidential funds to enable the anti-graft body to perform its vital role in upholding accountability and transparency in government.
During the budget deliberations of the Office of the Ombudsman before the House Committee on Appropriations, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez said the budget proposal of P51.468 million in confidential funds allocated to the Ombudsman’s office is “insufficient” to effectively carry out crucial case building and investigation activities. With Rio N. Araja