Supreme Court confirms receipt of P1 million fund for judges' allowance

CEBU, Philippines - The Supreme Court has received the P1 million Judiciary Equalization Fund from the Cebu City government intended to be used to grant cash incentives to court judges.

The high tribunal confirmed receipt of the fund through a letter to Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The mayor said he is happy with the development because it reportedly sends a message that Cebu City is “much better” than other local government units in Manila because it is able to help address the financial needs of the judges.

Osmeña had said he is amenable that the cash incentives will be coursed through the Supreme Court and not directly to the judges concerned. He also announced the city will give another monthly cash allowance to judges here equivalent to their basic salary.

Osmeña believed many judges are happy with the move. In fact, one judge he met recently reportedly thanked him for it. 

Some judges, however, like Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Gabriel Ingles, declined the additional allowance from the city for fear that it will create doubts should they render a ruling on cases involving the mayor and/or the city government.

The city donated the P1 million to the Supreme Court to ensure that judges whose allowances have been or are unreasonably withheld by the local government units within their respective territorial jurisdictions shall continue to receive their allowances.

Capitol officials had stopped granting P6,000 monthly cash incentive to some of the judges, among them RTC Judge Bienvenido Saniel, who rendered unfavorable rulings on cases involving the province.

Saniel was the judge who dismissed the petition filed by the province questioning the authority of Osmeña to appoint directors of the Metro Cebu Water District. – Rene U. Borromeo/JMO