Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 10) — The Judiciary is seeking to bring back ₱6.58 billion that was slashed from its proposed budget for 2021.
During the budget hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday, Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said they initially proposed a ₱55.88 billion budget for 2021, but the Department of Budget and Management only granted them ₱43.54 billion — or ₱12.34 billion less — under the National Expenditure Program.
Marquez said, however, that they will only plead to restore more than half of that loss to boost the operations of their local and special courts.
“Ang gusto sana naming hilingin ngayong umaga dito sa House of Representatives ay for additional ₱6.58 billion instead of the ₱12.34 billion na binigay sa NEP,” he added.
[Translation: We are only requesting the House of Representatives this morning to help us bring back the additional ₱6.58 billion instead of the ₱12.34 billion slashed in the NEP.]
The proposed ₱6.58 billion will cover the Supreme Court and lower courts with ₱5.07 billion, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal with ₱15.35 million, the Court of Appeals with ₱994.5 million, Sandiganbayan with ₱406.4 million, and the Court of Tax Appeals with ₱98.5 million.
Marquez added that he foresees court productivity to get back on track by next year, especially if sufficient funds will be given to judges and digitalization of local courts.
Lawmakers agreed to Marquez’ points, citing the need to improve the country’s judicial processes.
“Our Judiciary receives a small portion of our budget and a small percentage of our GDP (gross domestic product) compared to our Asian neighbors. We are always lagging behind because we fail to give the Judiciary what it needs,” Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.
There will be another round of 2021 budget deliberation for the Judiciary, along with other government agencies, in the House plenary.
