Composition and organizational structure
- Section 2 provides that the Office of the Ombudsman is composed of the Ombudsman, known as Tanodbayan, one overall Deputy, and at least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- Section 2 allows the appointment of a separate Deputy for the Military establishment.
- Section 3 requires that officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman other than the Deputies are appointed by the Ombudsman under the Civil Service Law.
Qualifications and constitutional disqualifications
- Section 4 requires the Ombudsman and Deputies to be natural-born citizens of the Philippines.
- Section 4 requires that, at the time of appointment, the Ombudsman and Deputies be at least forty years old, have recognized probity and independence, and be members of the Philippine Bar.
- Section 4 requires that the Ombudsman and Deputies must not have been candidates for any elective office in the immediately preceding election.
- Section 4 requires that the Ombudsman have been for ten years or more either a judge or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines.
- Section 4 provides that, during tenure, the Ombudsman and Deputies are subject to the same disqualifications and prohibitions as those provided in Section 2 of Article IX-A of the 1987 Constitution.
Appointment, vacancies, and tenure
- Section 5 provides that the Ombudsman and Deputies are appointed by the President from a list of at least six nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council.
- Section 5 provides that for every vacancy, the President appoints from a list of three nominees.
- Section 5 provides that such appointments require no confirmation.
- Section 5 requires that all vacancies be filled within three months after they occur.
- Section 7 provides that the Ombudsman and Deputies serve a seven-year term without reappointment.
- Section 7 provides that they are not qualified to run for any office in the election immediately succeeding their cessation from office.
Rank, compensation, and salary protection
- Section 6 grants the Ombudsman the rank of Chairman and the Deputies the rank of Members of the Constitutional Commissions.
- Section 6 provides that the Ombudsman and Deputies receive the same salary.
- Section 6 requires that the salary shall not be decreased during their term of office.
Ombudsman duty to act promptly
- Section 8 declares that the Ombudsman, as protectors of the people, must act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against public officials or employees of the Government.
- Section 8 covers complaints against public officials or employees of the Government and against any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations.
- Section 8 requires that, in appropriate cases, the Ombudsman notify the complainants of the action taken and the result.
Powers, functions, and duties
- Section 9(1) authorizes the Ombudsman to investigate on its own or on complaint by any person any act or omission of a public official, employee, office, or agency when the act or omission appears illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.
- Section 9(2) authorizes the Ombudsman, upon complaint or at its own instance, to direct any public official or employee to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties.
- Section 9(3) authorizes the Ombudsman to direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault and to recommend removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, ensuring compliance therewith.
- Section 9(4) authorizes the Ombudsman, in an appropriate case and subject to limitations provided by law, to direct the officer concerned to furnish copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by the Ombudsman involving the disbursement or use of port any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action.
- Section 9(5) authorizes the Ombudsman to request from any government agency assistance and information necessary for discharge of responsibilities, and to examine pertinent records and documents if necessary.
- Section 9(6) authorizes the Ombudsman to publicize matters covered by its investigation when circumstances so warrant and with due prudence.
- Section 9(7) requires the Ombudsman to determine causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and to make recommendations for elimination and for observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.
- Section 9(8) authorizes the Ombudsman to promulgate rules of procedure and to exercise other powers or perform other functions or duties as provided by law.
Fiscal autonomy and automatic releases
- Section 10 provides that the Office of the Ombudsman enjoys fiscal autonomy.
- Section 10 provides that its approved annual appropriations are automatically and regularly released.
Repeal of inconsistent issuances; effectivity
- Section 11 repeals or modifies accordingly all laws, orders, issuances, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the Executive Order.
- Section 12 provides that the Executive Order takes effect immediately.
Issuance details and date
- The Executive Order is Executive Order No. 243.
- The Executive Order is entitled “DECLARING THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE 1987 CONSTITUTION.”
- The Executive Order is dated July 24, 1987.
- The Executive Order is published in 83 OG No. 31, 3528-35 Supp. (August 3, 1987).
- Section 12 states the Executive Order takes effect immediately.
- The Executive Order is signed by CORAZON C. AQUINO as President of the Philippines, with JOKER P. ARROYO as Executive Secretary.