Tom insists on huge allowances for judges

CEBU, Philippines - Why not ask the Supreme Court to rule on its legality?

This is the latest suggestion of Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña on the issue of granting huge allowances to court judges.

Osmeña thought of this yesterday after some Cebu-based state auditors described as highly irregular his move to grant allowances equivalent to the judges’ monthly basic pay.

The Cebu City mayor, who was just elected congressman of the city’s south district, said he may appeal for the Commission on Audit (COA) officials in Manila to review the pronouncements of the local government auditors.

When The FREEMAN asked what he would do if COA disallows the City’s spending for the judges’ allowances, the mayor said that the High Tribunal must look into the matter. (A COA disallowance means that the public officials concerned must refund the amount because the disbursement is considered irregular.)

Osmeña is firm on his stand to increase allowances for the judges. This is his way of encouraging them to remain neutral and to stay away from any illegal activities.

“One of the best ways to discourage the government officials and employees to commit graft and corruption is to give them huge pay. Is that considered a waste of funds?” Osmeña asked.

Court judges were hounded with past insinuations that they can be “bought” by litigants who dangle attractive offers.

The mayor also defended his move of giving P1-million Judiciary Equalization Fund to the Supreme Court. For him, this will ensure that judges whose allowances were cut off by local government units affected with adverse rulings would still get their incentives.

A COA official said they will look into the granting of huge allowances to the judges, which may be included in the city’s annual audit report.

If a judge is receiving a P60,000-monthly salary, the city is also obliged to give him the same amount of monthly allowance.

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Gabriel Ingles decided not to accept the allowance from the City, an act which earned him admiration from some city officials.    (FREEMAN NEWS)