DBM to answer retirement claims of CA justices - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured retired Court of Appeals (CA) justices that Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad would answer a petition they filed before the Supreme Court (SC) on their claims of retirement gratuities and terminal leave benefits.

It said the SC had directed Abad to submit within 10 days from receipt of notice his comment on the petition of the Association of Retired Court of Appeals Justices Inc., led by retired Associate Justice Teodoro Regino.

“There are complications there because from what I understand, Secretary Butch Abad was impleaded in his personal capacity and he was not even a budget secretary (then). But I know that Secretary Abad has prepared for that and has formed a legal (team)...he has gotten legal representation in the proceedings before the Supreme Court,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.

“I am certain Secretary Abad will comply with a comment,” Valte said.

In their petition last October, the retired justices alleged that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had violated its mandate under the Constitution to automatically and regularly release the necessary funding for their allowances.

Petitioners said they had to seek the help and assistance of the CA presiding justice and SC chief justice for the release of their salary increases under Republic Act No. 9946 and unpaid balances for the past 10 months.

But they said the DBM “discriminately denied release and funding of their compensation allowances.”