MikeLigalig.com

Acting Ombudsman orders the hiring of more OSP prosecutors
30 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

          Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the hiring of more prosecutors for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

           The OSP which prosecutes criminal cases of high ranking officials before the Sandiganbayan is under the Office of the Ombudsman.

            “Presently, the OSP has a complement of 171 personnel, 71 of which are lawyers,” according to Acting Ombudsman Casimiro.

He said that out of the seventy-one (71) lawyers, there are only 59 available prosecutors who handle cases pending before the anti-graft court.

“As Acting Ombudsman, I understand the imperative need to beef up the number of prosecutors in order to strengthen the performance of the Office,” Casimiro stated in a statement.

This will likewise allow the prosecutors, according to Acting Ombudsman Casimiro, to have a manageable workload of cases.

“The increase in the number will likewise have a positive impact on the performance of the office insofar as conviction rates are concerned,” he said.

          Having been in the Office for 20 years, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro is aware of the problems besetting the anti-graft body. Among them is the need to beef up the present number of lawyers at the OSP.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro started his career in the government service in 1991, when he was appointed Graft Investigation Officer II. He assumed his present post on May 9, 2011.

          As of June 15, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has already disposed of 4,500 cases.

          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro earlier established “Team Aksyon Agad” , a quick response group.      The objective of the Team Aksyon Agad is “to provide quick response to the request for delivery of basic government services and prompt action on projects or front-line services of the government,” Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said.

          It is  composed of Director Marifi Chua, chairperson; Director Wilbert Candelaria, co-chairman and several OMB investigators as members.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=88158.0