Drilon on suspension of colleagues: ‘We will adhere to the rule of law’

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today stressed that the Senate is not above the law and that the implementation of the Sandiganbayan’s decision to suspend his colleagues is in full adherence to the country’s anti-graft and plunder laws.

“We are not above the law. Neither the Senate nor the senators are above the law,” said Drilon during an interview with Bombo Radyo today.

“We will adhere to the rule of law,” stressed Drilon, a lawyer and former justice secretary.

“Susundin po natin ang batas. Kami po ang gumagawa ng batas, kaya kailangan nating ipakita sa taumbayan na tayo po ay susunod,” he emphasized.

(We will comply with the law. As members of Congress, we must be the first to follow the law, and we must serve as an example to the Filipino people by being obedient to the laws that we create and pass.)

The Senate leader reiterated that the Supreme Court already ruled in 2001 that the nation’s anti-graft law is applicable to the members of Congress.

“The decision of the Senate President to implement the Sandiganbayan’s order of suspension against Senators Juan Ponce Enrle and Jinggoy Estrada is in obedience to the anti-graft and plunder laws which we in the Congress crafted and passed,” said Drilon.

“The Supreme Court categorically held that Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) does not exclude from its coverage the members of Congress. The Supreme Court is clear that the preventive suspension can be applied to all members of Congress,” he explained, noting that the Plunder Law contains an identical provision on preventive suspension.

“Ito ay ginawa natin dahilan sa the Senate is not above the law. Kung ano po yung batas ay susundin natin. Noong 2001 pa lang, nagpahayag na ang Supreme Court sa isang kaso na ang anti-graft at ang plunder law ay sakop ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso –senador ka man o congressman,” said Drilon.

(We are doing this because the Senate is not above the law. We have to follow the law. As early as 2001, the Supreme Court, has already resolved that the anti-graft and plunder laws covers the members of the legislative branch – whether you are a senator or a congressman is not a consideration.)

“All of us should be subject to the laws we pass,” he concluded. 

Drilon: Congress eyes passage of twin bills to increase workers’ take-home pay

MANILA-The Congress is eyeing the passage of two major bills aimed at alleviating tax impositions on Filipino workers and increasing their take-home pay within the 16^th Congress, according to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

“The Congress is aware of the necessity to revisit our existing tax structure which has remained unchanged since 1997. The Congress is committed to pass legislation which will lower individual income taxes in order to help our workers in dealing with the effect of inflation,” said Drilon.

“If the salary hike that our workers have been asking the government to provide is not yet possible due to fiscal constraints, a legislation that will increase the workers’ net take-home pay is the best alternative we can work on,” he added. 

The first bill which will receive urgent legislative attention, according to Drilon, is the one that will lower the rates of individual income tax and adjust individual income tax brackets. The proposed measure is being heard in the Committee on Ways and Means of both houses of Congress.

The Senate leader also warned that in 2018, if Congress fails to plug loopholes in the nation's existing tax system, the lowest ranking government employees will find themselves paying under the same tax bracket as the next Philippine President himself.

The same will be the case for entry level employees of an average corporation who will share the 32% tax rate with the executives and top officers of their company, who obviously earn way much more.

Both scenarios will be inconsistent with the requirement of the Constitution for a progressive system of taxation, said Drilon.

Drilon further stressed: “If we do not seriously study our tax system and make the necessary adjustment, by 2018 everyone will pay the same tax rate which is not progressive as what the Constitution mandated. This is the sort of unjust ways of taxation that we will need to prevent.” 

Under Article VI, Section 28 of the 1987 Constitution, it states that (1) “the rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.”

"We at Congress are ready to work on any proposed measure that can help the average Filipino in their daily expenses. The lowering of tax rates may affect the nation's overall revenue collection, but it will increase the purchasing power of our countrymen and it will be of great convenience for them,” said Drilon.

“When we increase their purchasing power, we could also expect an increase in the household spending that will contribute in the country’s overall economic growth,” he added.

The Congress will also pass a bill which will raise the tax exemption limit on the 13^th month pay and other work benefits of all workers in the public and private sector.

“We have an agreement with the House of Representatives that we will pass this bill within the year, so that Christmas could be merrier for our workers,” said Drilon.

The proposed measure intends to raise the exclusion limit on an individual’s 13^th month pay, Christmas bonus, and other work benefits from income taxation from the current imposed limit of P30, 000 to P75,000.

“There is really a need to revisit the antiquated provisions of the Republic Act No. 7833 which imposed the P30,000 cap on bonuses back in 1994,” said Drilon. 

Drilon: Senate will follow law on suspension order against colleagues

MANILA-The Sandiganbayan’s order of suspension against Senator Jinggoy Estrada has been received by the Office of the Senate President this afternoon, announced Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

“As with the case of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, we will implement the order. We have no recourse but to implement it,” said Drilon.

“The Senate is left with no recourse but to implement the order immediately in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Santiago v. Sadiganbayan in 2001, where the SC categorically held that the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act does not exclude from its coverage the members of Congress, hence a Senator may be preventively suspended,” Drilon, a lawyer and former justice secretary, explained.

“There is a clear legal precedent for following the implementation of the suspension order. The Senate has a responsibility to follow the law, and we will follow it,” said Drilon.

The Senate leader said that the primary legal basis for the implementation of Senator Enrile’s suspension was the said Supreme Court ruling promulgated in April 2001.

It can be recalled that in January 25, 1996, the Sandiganbayan ordered the suspension of Senator Santiago from her position as the Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

Drilon recalled that upon receipt of the Resolution, then Senate President Ernest Maceda reported the same to the plenary and such was referred to the Committees on Rules and Ethics and Privileges.

Through Committee Report No. 321, the Committees concluded that the Senate does not have the power or authority to suspend any Member, except for disorderly behavior and, only with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all its Members, for a period not exceeding sixty days.

The Committee further argued that the Sandiganbayan cannot order the Senate to implement the suspension of a Senator without violating the Separation of Powers and that the Sandiganbayan Resolution per se is not sufficient to warrant the suspension by the chamber of Senator Santiago.

However, five years later, the Supreme Court in April 2001 upheld the power of the Sandiganbayan to suspend Santiago, Drilon said.

Ciiting the SC ruling, Drilon thus clarified that the order of the Sandiganbayan to suspend Senators Enrile and Estrada is distinct from the Constitutional power of Congress to discipline its members.

 

“The order of suspension prescribed by Republic Act No. 3019 is distinct from the power of Congress to discipline its own ranks under the Constitution which provides that each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its members, suspend or expel a member,” said Drilon citing the SC ruling.

“There is no violation of the separation of powers, and that the Sandiganbayan did not undermine the authority of the Senate to discipline its members because the Constitutional provision deals with suspension as a punitive penalty,” the SC ruling said.

“The ruling said that the suspension contemplated in the above constitutional provision is a punitive measure that is imposed upon determination by the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, upon an erring member,” pointed out Drilon.

On the other hand, the Sandiganbayan’s order is a preventive suspension based on the plunder law: “Preventive Suspension is a remedial measure that operates under closely-controlled conditions and gives a premium to the protection of the service rather than to the interests of the individual office holder,” concluded Drilon, citing the SC ruling.

El Niño to cut down Pantabangan Dam’s water supply to CL farms to 40% -- Umali

JAEN, Nueva Ecija – The dreaded El Niño phenomenon is seen to cut the supply of irrigation from the Pantabangan Dam to Central Luzon farmlands down to only 40%.

          Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali told farmers during a gathering in this town that only 44,000 hectares out of the more than 100,000 hectares agricultural lands in the province, Pampanga and Bulacan would be able to receive irrigation water due to El Niño whose effects are likely to be felt in the last quarter of the year.

          He said this projection was arrived at following his dialogue with officials of the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems, the operator of the Pantabangan Dam. “This is a big blow to farmers so we have to prepare them for this worse-case scenario,” he said.

Umali said the provincial government is pushing through with its water summit next week to prepare Nueva Ecija against the adverse effects of the dreaded El Niño phenomenon on food production and water supply in the country’s rice granary.

He said if not addressed, this will impact on food security targets on a nationwide scale.

          The summit, originally scheduled last July 30, was deferred as the provincial government convened various agencies towards formulating an action plan against El Niño.

          Umali said he has utilized his intelligence funds for the de-silting of the Peñaranda River to ensure smooth delivery of irrigation water while the province braces for El Niño.

In late July, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration advised Filipinos to prepare for below normal rainfall in the last quarter of the year, as scientists are predicting the development of a “weak to moderate” El Niño during the period.

          Pagasa administrator Vicente Malano said below normal rainfall is likely in most areas of Luzon and the Visayas while near normal rainfall conditions are expected over Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Albay, Eastern and Central Visayas and most areas of Mindanao in the months of October, November and December.

          The last time El Niño hit the country was in 2009 and experts said the phenomenon happens every four to five years.

Umali said the province will have to be prepared for El Niño particularly since water elevation in the Pantabangan Dam continues to drop.

          In the last week of July, water level at the dam was at 179.04 meters above sea level (masl) and according to the National Irrigation Administration, it would take only 22 days of zero rainfall for the water level to shrink to its critical level of 171 masl, which happened nearly two decades ago.

          The water level rose above 180 masl only because the provincial government initiated cloud-seeding operations in partnership with First Gen. Corp. and other private entities. 

          Yesterday, water level at the dam was at 186.2 masl, according to UPRIIS operations manager Reynaldo Puno.

The water summit will try to identify the areas in the province which will potentially be hit hard by the prolonged dry spell and mitigate its impact on local farmers. It will also come out with projection on the extent of damage.

Umali said farmers will be included in the consultations because they are the ones who will bear the brunt of El Niño.

The provincial government is also looking at tapping other alternative sources of irrigation water to lessen the province’s dependence on the Pantabangan Dam.

          With the dam not fully operational, the utilization of the Peñaranda River, the Tayabo Dam and other upstream water sources to augment supply is also being explored. (Manny Galvez)

Legarda: 2nd National IP Summit to Highlight Strengths, Concerns of IPs

MANILA-Senator Loren Legarda today said that the 2nd National Indigenous Peoples Cultural Summit will be a venue where IPs will not only raise their pressing concerns but also be engaged in improving policies and programs that will benefit indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) in the country.

“The main goal of this event is to ensure that the programs of our government and the laws we craft are attuned with the distinctive needs of our IPs. This is a venue where our IPs can engage in dialogue with government agencies, civil society organizations, academe and the donor community,” said Legarda.

The 2nd National IP Cultural Summit, which will be held from September 2-5, 2014, was organized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in partnership with Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities. Following the opening program today is a three-day intercultural exchange or workshop that will engage IPs in policy and program development, implementation and evaluation of programs for IPs and ICCs.

The Senator noted that basic services remain wanting in most geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Further, the reported serious human rights violations, displacement from ancestral domain and destruction of natural environment and cultural values are among serious concerns.

“It is for these reasons that we continue to fight for policies and programs that would give our IPs the respect, recognition and opportunities due them. In coordination with the NCIP, I filed Senate Bill No. 2209 that will create resource centers for IPs. The centers shall serve as access centers to enhance delivery of basic, social, technical and legal services,” said Legarda.      

She added that other bills relevant to IPs include the Ethnic Origin Act that aims to provide accurate and disaggregated data on IPs through a clear definition of ethnicity, which is included in the national census of the Philippine Statistics Authority; theTraditional Property Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which seeks to make an inventory of all cultural properties and mandates the payment of royalties to IPs for the use of their cultural properties; and the Baybayin Act, which will mandate government offices to use Baybayin in their official logos in order to preserve and promote the Philippine traditional scripts.

“As we continue to promote measures that will benefit our indigenous communities, we urge our IPs to likewise continue to fight for their rights and to always protect our cultural heritage,” said Legarda.

“I hope that this National IP Cultural Summit, through the active involvement of our IPs, leads us to a clearer path on how we can confront the challenges and effectively build policies to protect the knowledge systems and practices of our indigenous peoples, provide them with more opportunities for growth and development, and to further promote our culture and heritage,” Legarda concluded.

Outstanding teachers, cops, soldiers get Senate recognition

MANILA-The Senate today approved three solutions commending and congratulating the outstanding teachers, police and soldiers through Metrobank Foundation’s annual search.

 

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said, “The awardees should be lauded for their devotion to their profession and for being outstanding role models.” “These men and truly women have truly raised the bar in their respective professions,” he added.

 

Drilon said that the distinction displayed by the awardees provide inspiration to  the Senate to the pass pending measures aimed at improving the lives of government workers, cops and soldiers.

 

“The exemplary actions of these teachers, cops and soldiers just how state workers deserve more support from the government they so eagerly serve, hence the Senate’s recent passing of resolutions that will raise benefits for members of the police and the military, along with the Senate’s focus on proposed legislations on reviewing the tax bracket and on raising the 13th month pay tax exemption for state workers,” he said.

 

Senator Cynthia Villar sponsored Senate Resolution Nos. 836 commending the recipients of Metrobank Foundation’s Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) for 2014 award.

 

“We should recognize the essential role of the teachers in educational advancement, their important contributions in the development of humanity and modern society, and their rights as members of a highly regarded profession,” Villar said.

The Outstanding Teachers for 2014 are Anna Bella F. Abellera of Naga Central School 1, Naga City; Sharon Rose P. Puyo of Cabadbaran South Central Elementary School SPED Center, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Dr. Enerio E. Ebisa of Doña Juana Actub Lluch Memorial Central School, Iligan City; Allan Moore S. Cabrillas of San Jose West Central School, San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; Juanito A. Merle of Talipan National High School, Pagbilao, Quezon; Jesus C. Insilada of Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School, Calinog, Iloilo; Matrose P. Galarion of Angeles City National High School, Angeles City; Noel V. Ibis of Vinzons Pilot High School, Vinzons, Camarines Norte; Resurreccion B. Sadaba of University of the Philippines-Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo; and Teodora D. Balangcod of University of the Philippines-Baguio, Baguio City.

 

Meanwhile, Senator Grace Poe sponsored Senate Resolution No.827 commending and congratulating the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) of 2014 who were selected by Metrobank Foundation, PS Bank and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

 

“COPS serves as the social contract of the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East and PS Bank to the police force that will advance the welfare of the PNP and contribute in the realization of the Integrated Transformation Program of having the institution as a highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community,” Poe said.

 

According to the resolution, the Search for COPS aims to “honor models of professionalism, competence, dedication and integrity” among members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and is an “expression of the civilian sector’s appreciation and gratitude to the effort of the PNP in maintaining the peace and order situation in the country.”

The 2014 COPS awardees are Police Senior Superintendent Cedrick Gayona Train, Police Senior Superintendent Rodelio Balza Jocson, Police Chief Inspector Byron Filog Allatog, Police Chief Inspector Reynald Estrada Ariño, Police Officer 3 Michael Dalisay Pontoy, Senior Police Officer 1 Reynaldo Granada Solante, Police Officer 2 Arshear Usman Ismael, Police Officer 3 Alexander Baradillo Fazon, Jr., Senior Police Officer 1 Rey Hinautan Sarcon and Police Officer 3 Comet Dimla Dumangeng.

 

The Senate also honored the Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) of 2014 through Senate Resolution No. 792 sponsored by Senator Sonny Angara.

 

“The competition is an expression of gratitude to the heroism, gallantry, dedication and sacrifices of the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Angara stated in the resolution. “The Philippine Senate proudly joins the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and Rotary Club of Makati Metro in honoring and commending the gallant men and women who have risked life and limb in the defense of our country’s sovereignty.”

 

The recipients of the 2014 TOPS award are Philippine Army Colonel Teodoro A. Llamas, Philippine Army Master Sergeant Aladin S. Dacayanan, Philippine Army Staff Sergeant Rehum P. Magno, Philippine Navy Captain Alberto B. Carlos, Philippine Navy Sergeant Eugene J. Padilla, Philippine Navy Commissary Steward 2nd Class Felix B. Guaves II, Philippine Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Adriano SJ. Duadico, Philippine Air Force Technical Sergeant Benny G. Dofitas, Philippine Air Force Staff Sergeant Sheryl P. Toribio, and Technical and Administrative Service – Medical Administrative Corps Major Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong III. (Apple Buenaventura, PRIB)

Drilon takes on ice bucket challenge

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today joined the list of Filipinos who have participated in the popular Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) ice bucket challenge not only to raise funds and promote awareness for the dangerous disease, but also to bring attention to other important causes in the country.

Drilon became the latest public official to became doused with iced water when he gamely took the charity challenge at his Senate office on Monday morning.

As per the ice bucket challenge’s rules, Drilon said he is going to donate to the Neurosciences Department of the Philippine General Hospital, which is responsible for the treatment of many Filipinos afflicted with neurological diseases.

The Senate leader also made sure that his version of the ice bucket challenge will signal his commitment to water-conservation: collected rain water over the weekend was used in the event, instead of fresh potable water.

Drilon emphasized that apart from the debilitating ALS, he also wanted to bring attention to other pressing causes, hence his nomination of advocacy-oriented people with whom he has worked before to continue the ice-bucket challenge: Gawad Kalinga (GK) founder Tony Meloto, ABS-CBN Kapamilya Foundation Chairman Gina Lopez, and Federation of Filipino- Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.(FFCCCII) President Dr. Alfonso Siy.  

Meloto's Gawad Kalinga helps manage the 1,000 low-cost housing project in Iloilo whose funding was supported by Drilon and  Lopez, as head of the Pasig River cleanup campaign, has exchanged ideas with Drilon, who is also working for the restoration of the Iloilo River.  

Meanwhile Siy, as part of FFCCCII, has previously partnered with Drilon in a nationwide classroom-building project which built 1,600 classrooms at a cost only half compared to regular government contract prices. 

Palace order to rectify historical errors on “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija unheeded

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Three years after Malacañang called on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to look into several “historical errors” about events involving the “Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija,” these have yet to be corrected which would have set the heroism of Gen. Mariano Llanera and other revolutionaries in its proper perspective even as Novo Ecijanos observe today the 118^th anniversary of the historic revolt.

Among these errors are accounts that up to 3,000 revolutionaries from this town marched towards San Isidro and that they used a “musikang bumbong” in assaulting the Spanish garrison in the afternoon of September 2,1896.

          In 2011, Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) said the NHCP, led by its executive director Ludovico Badoy should conduct a thorough research on the historic event and make facts and figures “accurate” and “realistic” to give justice to its heroes.

          This after local historian Jose Hipolito said one of these errors include accounts that up to 3,000 revolutionaries from this town marched towards San Isidro with the use of a “musikang bumbong” where they assaulted the Spanish garrison in the afternoon of September 2,1896.

          “That is fatally wrong. The fact is only 753 revolutionaries laid siege in San Isidro and they marched there accompanied not by “musikang bumbong” but by a brass band,” Hipolito said.

          He said that the 3,000 supposed revolutionaries were too bloated a number and would clearly constitute an “overkill” on the part of Llanera’s group since they were up against only 100 Spanish soldiers.

          Hipolito said he knew of no one who conducted a realistic and in-depth research about the revolution and its heroes. “I was the only one who went to the National Archives to conduct my own research,” he said.

          Aside from the glaring historical inaccuracies, Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco also questioned that the center of celebrations for the annual event is often held in the provincial capital Palayan City and not in this town. She said she had nothing against holding festivities in other towns to commemorate the event for Novo Ecijanos to appreciate history but said Cabiao’s role should be given utmost importance.     

The late 69-year-old head of the marching band that stormed the Spanish garrison in San Isidro also said Cabiao should be given recognition as the rightful venue for anniversary rites.

          Raul Nogoy, Banda, ’96 leader said San Isidro (then known as Factoria) can not be considered as the center of the celebrations neither because this was where the Spaniards held fort.

          The provincial government, led by Gov. Aurelio Umali, Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos and third district Rep. Czarina Umali, has held various activities to usher Nueva Ecija Day consisting of a harana, health caravan, quiz bee, sikad Novo Ecijano, muscle showdown, agri-aqua ctrade fair, hair and make-up Olympics, aerobics competition, Binibining Nueva Ecija pageant, boxing competitions, the search for the outstanding young Novo Ecijanos   and the 1^st governor’s cup shooting competitions.

          Today’s provincial government-led activity will be held at the old provincial capitol, according to provincial administrator Al Abesamis.

          When asked for his reaction regarding the issue over the venue, Abesamis did not return text messages.

          Local officials in Cabiao said it is only fitting that organizers consider the town as the center of celebrations because General Llanera was from Barangay San Roque here.

          The event marks the day when Llanera and Gen. Pantaleon Valmonte led home-grown revolutionaries, armed only with 100 guns, bolos and pointed sticks in assaulting the Spanish garrison in San Isidro on September 2,1896, two days after the “Unang Sigaw ng Balintawak.”

          Waving black and red flag, the revolutionaries caught the Spanish guardia civil by surprise.

For its role in the revolution, the province earned its place in the Philippine flag as one of the eight rays of the sun, each ray representing the province that revolted against the Spaniards. 

Drilon rejects proposal to amend Blue Ribbon rules

MANILA-Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today said he was not inclined to amend the rules of the Blue Ribbon Committee as suggested by former Senator Joker Arroyo who claimed that the Senate’s investigation into the alleged overpriced Makati Parking Building as "one-sided.”

“First of all, the rules are proven to work. We must remember that the Blue Ribbon Committee is not a judicial proceeding, nor is it a criminal investigation. It is primarily in aid of legislation and in seeking the truth. The rules have been there, and they work well, and they continue to work well,” Drilon emphasized. 

“The present rules being applied by the current Blue Ribbon committee are the same rules that our former colleague, Joker, used when he was the chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee,” said Drilon.

He said that the present setup served well in uncovering a wide range of anomalies which the Blue Ribbon committee had investigated in the past.

“These are the rules that enabled the Blue Ribbon Committee to find out the truth with thePhilippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) deal, to discover the anomalies in the North Rail Project, and the ones used in the Fertilizer Scam,” pointed out Drilon.

With this, the Senate chief said he was not in favor of amending the present rules as they are proven to be effective in uncovering the truth and exposing government frailties.

“Those rules have been there for a long time, and I am not in favor of amending the rules,” he stressed. 

Congress should heed Sereno's plea for higher budget

MANILA-Sen. Ralph Recto said Congress should heed Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno’s appeal for a higher judiciary budget, but any increase, he said, can be attached to performance outcomes like faster disposal of cases.

The plea to augment the budget of our courts has merit, Recto said. “It is a request which should not invite a dissenting opinion.”

While the judiciary’s budget has increased from P11.2 billion in 2010 to P19.3 billion this year and to a proposed P20.3 billion for 2015, “it, however, accounts for less than one percent of total government expenditures,” Recto said.

He noted that while the national budget will expand by a robust 15.1 percent next year, the judiciary’s budget will only grow by 4.8 percent.

What the Senate and the House can do, Recto said, is go through the “original wish list” of the judiciary for 2015 and “take a second look on items which were not included in the 2015 national budget Malacanang has sent to Congress.”

He noted that during the budget preparation the judiciary requested P152 million for new equipment but instead got zero in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

It likewise asked for P500 million for the construction of the Cebu City Halls of Justice Complex and the same was not favorably endorsed by the executive branch, Recto said.

A briefer prepared by the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court said only P10 million out of its original request of P914 million for “buildings and infrastructure” was carried in the NEP.

In the same presentation, the SC is also requesting funds to hire 2,239 court legal researchers and 3,089 personnel for 172 new Child and Family Courts.

Funding for the creation of these positions was also not endorsed by Malacanang to Congress.

“Maybe the executive has its own reasons for denying the requests. In the case of the halls of justice, it has always been its position that the funds be lodged with the Department of Justice,” Recto said.

What the legislature can do is revisit the original request of the judiciary and put back what needs to be restored, Recto said.

The judiciary originally requested a budget of P31.3 billion for 2015 but a review by the DBM pared this down to P20.3 billion.

When it comes to appropriations, Recto said “Congress is in the position to reconcile the differences in opinion between the other two branches.”

While the judiciary can dip into the Judiciary Development Fund to bankroll some of its capital outlay requirements, “the fund’s P1.2 billion annual collection may not be enough, more so if we consider that proceeds have been earmarked for other uses by law,” Recto pointed out.

Mere collection of JDF alone should not disqualify the judiciary from receiving appropriations for other purposes, Recto said.

“There are many agencies which spend the fees they collect and yet they still get funds from the national budget. In 2015, earmarked revenues will reach P86 billion. Yet it is only JDF, which represents a fraction of it, which is attracting attention,” Recto said.

“Isang halimbawa n’yan yung Road Users Tax na aabot ng P14.4 billion ang collections next year, na ginagasta na wala namang appropriation. ‘Yan siguro ang dapat silipin,” Recto said.

But should Congress increase the budget of the judiciary, “it should be anchored on a set of deliverables,” Recto said.

“Can we improve, for example, the present 38 percent disposition rate of cases in lower courts? Will velocity of cases improve in other courts?” Recto said.

In 2012, 2,214 lower courts disposed 376,289 of the 988,291 cases they handled that year.

Also in the same year, the Supreme Court reported a 38% case disposal rate out of a total case intake of 11,302.

Recto believes that investing more funds in the courts will allow them to reduce docket backlog and speed up the resolution of cases. 

He cited an SC “reform project piloted in Quezon City courts” as an example of what funding support to the judiciary can do. Dubbed HUSTISYEAH, it has reportedly resulted in a 30-percent drop in pending cases.