Law Summary
Administrative Attachment of the Office of the Investment Ombudsman
- The Office of the Investment Ombudsman (OIO), created under Executive Order No. 180, is formally attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
- Attachment under DTI entails administrative supervision and policy coordination to streamline operations.
- The OIO’s primary role is to assist both current and potential investors, especially in resolving complaints against government entities that impact investment activities.
Purpose and Rationale
- There is a governmental focus on aggressively promoting the Philippines as an attractive destination for investments.
- The government recognizes the importance of providing dedicated services and handling complaints raised by local and foreign investors.
- Experience showed that investors, notably foreign investors with substantial investments, require full-time attention to ensure unobstructed operations, including export activities.
- The Investment Ombudsman functions as a vital resource in addressing investor concerns and facilitating smoother investment operations.
Repealing Clause
- All previous issuances, rules, regulations, orders, or parts thereof that contradict or are inconsistent with this Executive Order are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The provisions of this Executive Order take effect immediately upon signing.
Legal Authority and Implementation
- The Order is issued under the President’s constitutional and legal powers.
- It was signed on April 3, 2000, in Manila by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Executive Secretary Ronaldo B. Zamora.