Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 243)
The Office of the Ombudsman is established under Section 5, Article XI, of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.
The Office of the Ombudsman was declared to be in existence on July 24, 1987, as per Executive Order No. 243.
The Office of the Ombudsman is composed of the Ombudsman (Tanodbayan), one overall Deputy, and at least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with a possible separate Deputy for the Military establishment.
They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least 40 years old at the time of appointment, members of the Philippine Bar, recognized for probity and independence, must not have been candidates for any elective office in the immediately preceding election, and the Ombudsman must have at least ten years as a judge or in the practice of law in the Philippines.
They are appointed by the President from a list of at least six nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council and from a list of three nominees for every subsequent vacancy. No confirmation is required, and vacancies must be filled within three months.
They serve a term of seven years without reappointment and are prohibited from running for any office in the election immediately succeeding their cessation from office.
They shall have the rank of Chairman and Members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions and receive the same salary, which shall not be decreased during their term.
They can investigate acts or omissions of public officials, direct government officials to expedite duties or correct abuses, recommend disciplinary or prosecutorial action, request assistance and information from agencies, publicize matters under investigation, identify causes of inefficiency and corruption, promulgate rules, and perform other powers as provided by law.
Yes, the Office of the Ombudsman enjoys fiscal autonomy, and its approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.
All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with Executive Order No. 243 are repealed or modified accordingly.