Coverage.
Section 2
SEC. 2. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to the Ombudsman and his or her Deputies, the Special Prosecutor, and to all officials and employees of 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 a Master's degree in a relevant field as a qualification. The Ombudsman shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, provided that he or she shall have served in such capacity for a full term of seven (7) years, regardless of age or number of years in government service. The Ombudsman's Deputies and the Special Prosecutor, meanwhile, shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, provided that they have served in such capacity for a full term of seven (7) years, regardless of age or number of years in government service. All other officials and employees covered by this Act shall enjoy the same retirement and other benefits as those of the judges of the Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts or other trial courts with the same salary grades. Any increase after the effectivity of this Act in the salaries, allowances or retirement benefits, or any upgrading of the salary grades or levels of any of the Justices and judges referred to in the preceding paragraph shall apply to the corresponding Ombudsman official or employee covered by this Act.