House raises benefits for justices and court judges

The House of Representatives has approved on final reading the proposed law granting additional retirement and other benefits to members of the Judiciary.

The bill was just one of the 13 measures of national concern which the House approved yesterday, in between plenary discussions on the budget proposals of the government departments, agencies and offices.

The Judiciary’s benefits bill under House Bill 6820 amends certain provisions of Republic Act 910, which provides for better retirement benefits for members of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals and other similar courts of justice. RA 910 does not cover judges of the first and second level courts whose duties and functions are equally important in the dispensation and administration of justice.

“This bill will place judges of the first and second level courts on equal footing with the justices of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and other similar courts of justice,” said Majority Leader Arthur Defensor.

By expanding the law’s coverage to include trial court judges, the problem on vacancy of positions and high turnover of judges who opt to engage in lucrative legal practice after gaining expertise in the Judiciary will be addressed, the lawmaker said.

Likewise, the measure will attract brilliant lawyers or members of the Bar to join and serve in the Judiciary.

Since the measure contains funding provisions, it was also referred to and subsequently approved and endorsed to plenary by the committee on appropriations chaired by Rep. Junie Cua of Quirino.

The proposed amendatory law will provide additional benefits such as: non-wage benefit in the form of education scholarship to one legitimate child; increased pensions based on the highest monthly aggregate of salary, transportation, living and representation allowances at the time of retirement; and survivorship benefits for surviving spouse and dependent children.

Apart from Speaker Prospero Nograles, Defensor and justice committee chairman Matias Defensor, the other principal authors include Deputy Speakers Simeon Datumanong and Amelita Villarosa with Reps. Fredenil Castro, Raul Gonzalez Jr., Carmencita Reyes, Mauricio Domogan, Edcel Lagman, Rufus Rodriguez, Manuel Agyao, Eduardo Joson, Ronald Singson, Eufrocino Codilla Sr., Jose Yap, Pangalian Balindong, Edgardo Chatto, Giorgidi Aggabao, George Arnaiz, Victor Ortega, Pedro Romualdo, Jose Solis and Magtanggol Gunigundo. –Manila Standard Today