Mandaue still studying judges' request for hike in allowances

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government will study the request of regional trial court and the municipal trial court judges, prosecutors, clerks of court, and social workers in the city for an increase in allowances.

Mayor Jonas Cortes told reporters that he acknowledges the need for allowances for judges, prosecutors, and others assigned at the courts in Mandaue City, but the amount has to be determined.

Cortes made clear that Mandaue cannot match the amount granted to Cebu City judges and prosecutors.

The judges assigned in Mandaue City have asked Mayor Cortes for an adjustment in incentives which would be comparable to those given by Cebu City.

Attached to their letter to Cortes was the memorandum issued by former Cebu City Mayor and now South District Congressman Tomas Osmeña dated April 22, 2010.

They also cited the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Hon. RTC Judges Mercedes G. Dadole et al versus Commission on Audit, G.R. No. 125350 dated December 3, 2002 declaring as null and void, Local Budget Circular 55 and allowed the grant of additional allowances with no maximum limit to judges when the finances of the city government permit.

Judges and prosecutors believe that Mandaue is financially capable of granting financial assistance to them, there being no legal hindrance.

They have reiterated their request for adjustment of their incentive allowance effective January 2010.

But the city council referred the request to the chairman of the committee on finance and laws.

Cortes, on the other hand, said he will wait for the recommendation made by the city council.

The Regional Trial Court judges are asking the city to raise their allowance of P10,800 to P35,000.00; judges of the Municipal Trial Court and Cities are asking for P30,000 from P10,800 ; Regional Trial Court clerks of court want P12,000 from P5,500; and social workers of RTC who receive P5,500.00 want the allowance raised to P12,000.

Lawyers at the Public Attorney's Office are also asking for P10,000 allowance while city prosecutors are asking for P20,000. (THE FREEMAN)