Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1487)
The short title is the Tanodbayan Decree of 1977.
It creates the Office of the Ombudsman, known as the Tanodbayan.
The President of the Philippines appoints the Tanodbayan and his Deputies.
They must be members of the bar, well equipped to analyze problems of law, administration, and public policy, and must not have been actively involved in partisan affairs.
They shall not engage in the practice of any profession, manage any business, or have financial interests in any government contracts, franchises, or privileges.
They serve a term of seven years without re-appointment unless removed by the President due to incapacity, neglect of duty, or misconduct.
The Tanodbayan receives sixty thousand pesos annually, and each Deputy receives fifty thousand pesos.
The Tanodbayan may investigate administrative acts, prescribe complaint procedures, request assistance and information from agencies, examine records, issue subpoenas, and participate in studies related to administrative functions.
He may recommend further consideration, modification or cancellation of acts, alteration of regulations, full explanations of actions, or any other corrective steps.
Their opinions or expressions are not reviewable in court, no civil action can be filed against them for official acts, and they are not required to testify in judicial or administrative proceedings except to enforce this Decree.
A fine of not more than one thousand pesos (P1,000.00) may be imposed.
The Tanodbayan must report annually to the National Assembly and the President.
The Tanodbayan may refuse investigation if the complaint is trivial, vexatious, outside its jurisdiction, or the complainant has other remedies available.
The Senior Deputy acts as the Tanodbayan during disability or protracted absence and serves as Acting Tanodbayan if the office becomes vacant.
Yes, the Tanodbayan may publish conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions to the President, National Assembly, press, and concerned parties.