By Argyll Cyrus Geducos President Duterte has signed into law the measure establishing a benefit system in the Office of the Ombudsman and select officials and employees in the said office. (MANILA BULLETIN) Republic Act (RA) 11059, signed by Duterte last Friday, also applies to the Ombudsman's deputies, special prosecutor, and to all officials and employees at the Office of the Ombudsman from Salary Grade 26 to 29 who are performing legal, prosecution, investigation, and corruption prevention functions, and whose position requires membership in the Philippine bar or Master's degree in relevant field. Based on the new law, the Ombudsman shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA) as long as they have served a full seven-year term, regardless of age of number of years in government service. The Ombudsman's deputies and special prosecutor, meanwhile, will get to enjoy the same retirement benefits as an associate justice at the CA, provided they follow the same condition as the Ombudsman. Meanwhile, all other officials and employees covered by the law will have the same retirement and other benefits as those of the judges at the regional and municipal trial courts with the same salary grade. Retirement benefits According to the new law, when any covered official or employee who has rendered at least 15 years of government service and retires at the age of 65 or resigns by reason of incapacity discharge his duty shall receive a retirement pension based on the highest monthly salary, plus the highest monthly aggregate of transportation, living, and representation allowances he was receiving at the time of the retirement or resignation. Upon retirement, an official or employee covered by the law will be automatically entitled to a lump sum of five years gratuity computed on the basis of the highest monthly salary plus highest aggregate of allowances. But if the reason for retirement be any total disability as certified by the Ombudsman, the employee or official will receive a gratuity equivalent to 10 years. All pension benefits of retired officials or employees of the Office of the Ombudsman shall automatically increase if there is an increase in the salary and allowance in the same position from which they retired. Death benefits In case covered employees or officials die while in actual service, their heirs will receive a lump sum of five years gratuity computed on the basis of the highest monthly salary plus highest aggregate of allowances regardless of age. However, if the deceased has served 15 years in government service, the heir will be entitled to a lump sum of 10 years gratuity. Heirs of covered employees or officials killed by reason of their duty will also be entitled to a lump sum of 10 years gratuity provided that they have served at least five years in the Office of the Ombudsman. Meanwhile, in case the employee or official dies during their retirement, the surviving legitimate spouse and dependent children shall be entitled to receive all retirement benefits. Conditions The law prohibits covered employees and officials to appear as counsel before any judicial agency in any civil case wherein the government is the adverse party, or a criminal case wherein a government employee or official is accused of an offense committed in relation to their office. An Ombudsman official or employee covered by this law who assumes an elective position in government will also not be able to receive his benefits during his tenure as an elected official. Retroactivity Officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman covered by the law who resigned, retired, or died a year before the law takes effect will also be entitled to the said benefits.