Gordon to Duterte: Sign bill creating Ombudsman retirement benefit system

Senator Richard Gordon urged President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday to immediately sign into law the proposed measure establishing a retirement benefit system in the Office of the Ombudsman and augmenting its employee benefits.

Gordon issued the call in the wake of the killing of Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy. Ednaco-Tanyag, 33.

Gordon said Senate Bill 1638’s enactment into law would at least give something for Tanyag’s family.

“I strongly condemn the killing in no uncertain terms. This is a slap once again on the face of justice in this country. I urge the President to sign the enrolled bill of the retirement law of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Senate version of which I sponsored as chairman of the justice committee,” Gordon said in a statement.

“Nothing but justice will assuage the feelings of the family left behind by Madonna, but this will hopefully cushion her family against the adverse economic effects of her sudden demise,” he added.

Tanyag, who was five-months pregnant, was about to return to the office after attending a hearing at the Sandiganbayan when she was stabbed three times in front of a lottery outlet along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City at around 11:20 a.m. on Monday.

READ: Ombudsman prosecutor stabbed to death in Quezon City

The 33-year old prosecutor was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center, but doctors were not able to save her.

Under the said proposed measure, with Tanyag being an Assistant Special Prosecutor, her heirs would be entitled to death benefits, or a lump sum of five years’ worth of salary. Death benefits under the measure are retroactive and would be granted to the heirs of those who will die one year prior to the effectivity of the law.      /muf