04/02/2020 E-Library - Information At Your Fingertips: Printer Friendly Republic Act No. 3019. According to petitioner, had the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon made a careful study of the evidence presented by him and had he meticulously weighed the evidence, he would have found out that probable cause exists to indict private respondents. It is readily clear from petitioner's assertions that he is questioning the correctness of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon's appreciation of facts. The function of determining what is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause is the job of the Office of the Ombudsman.[21] Except in cases when there is grave abuse of discretion in the exercise of its discretion, which is absent in the instant case, this Court has adopted a policy of non-interference in the exercise of the Ombudsman's constitutionally mandated powers on this matter.[22] Indeed, this Court is not a trier of facts; the Ombudsman is.[23] This rule is based not only upon respect for the investigatory and prosecutory powers granted by the Constitution to the Office of the Ombudsman but upon practicality as well.[24] Otherwise, the functions of the courts will be grievously hampered by innumerable petitions assailing the dismissal of investigatory proceedings conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman with regard to complaints filed before it, in much the same way that the courts will be extremely swamped if they could be compelled to review the exercise of discretion on the part of the fiscals or prosecuting attorneys each time they decide to file an information in court or dismiss a complaint by a private complainant.[25] Petitioner presents an issue which touches on factual findings of the Ombudsman. Such issue is not reviewable by this Court via certiorari.[26] IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FOREGOING, the Petitions are DISMISSED. The assailed Joint Order of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon dated 7 December 2004 is hereby AFFIRMED. Costs against petitioner. SO ORDERED. Ynares-Santiago, (Chairperson), and Austria-Martinez, JJ., concur. Nachura, J., no part. Filed pleadings as Sol Gen. [1] Rollo (G.R. Nos. 167335 &167337), pp. 20-26. [2] Rollo (G.R. No. 173152), pp. 29-31. [3] Sec.4(a) of Republic Act No. 6713 states: " Public officials and employees shall always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. All government resources and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues." [4] SEC. 38. National Commission on Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People (NCIP). — To carry out the policies herein set forth, there shall be created the National Commission on ICCs/IPs (NCIP), which shall be the primary government elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/44053 9/11