City Hall may stop allowances for judges, justices

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government may not be able to continue the monthly allowances for court judges and Court of Appeals justices due to lack of funds.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the city had allocated a budget of P24 million for the allowances and other expenses of judges and justices in 2012.

But this year, the amount was reduced to P12 million, which will not last until the yearend, Poblete said.

According to Poblete, the city may include the allowances of judges and justices if there are supplemental budgets.

The allowances are for the city’s 27 Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) judges, some of whom are handling cases that involved the city government.

However, few judges like RTC Judge Meinrado Paredes declined to receive the stipend.

The city is also allocating a monthly allowance to six CA justices based in the city, but Justice Gabriel Ingles refused to accept it.

Ingles said he is standing firm on his decision not to accept any stipend from any government unit.

The allowances of judges and justices are equivalent to their basic pay.

Judges and justices who receive a basic monthly salary from P50,000 to P70,000 would get a similar amount as  allowance from the city.

The granting of the allowance started during the time of then mayor Tomas R. Osmeña as a way to strengthen the judiciary. /LPM (FREEMAN)