Noynoy's Senate ally seeks judiciary budget hike

An ally in the Senate has sought President-elect Benigno Simeon Aquino III's support moves to increase the judiciary’s budget. Aquino should convene the Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELACC) to review the judiciary’s fund allotments before budget hearings start in December, Senator Francis Pangilinan said. “Our judiciary receives a measly sum of less than one percent of the national budget. The remaining 97 percent goes to the Executive department, while some two percent goes to the Legislative department. JELACC was created to precisely address the budget woes of the Judiciary," he said in a press statement. Pangilinan was part of Aquino's core group that evaluated and recommended the nominees for judiciary posts such as the Department of Justice. Aquino and Pangilinan both belong to the Liberal Party. Even if the judiciary’s budget will increase to even 2 percent of the national budget, the country will see a rise in the swift dispensation of justice, creation of more courts, and construction of justice halls, Pangilinan said. The government will also be able to fill up vacancies of existing courts, and augment compensation and benefits of judges, prosecutors and court personnel, among others, he added. JELACC aims to serve as forum and venue for the three branches of government to undertake measures on matters affecting the primacy of the rule of law. “Through JELACC the budgetary target of two percent, or in real terms some 20 billion pesos, can be achieved within the term of President Noynoy Aquino," Pangilinan said. He also sees JELACC as a faster process to deal with clogging of the dockets that continue to plague Philippine courts. “On average, it takes six long years for a case to be decided upon in the first-level courts. This is too long. This is totally unacceptable. With the increase in budgetary support for the judiciary, our courts, through the leadership of the Supreme Court, must endeavor to reduce the average life span of a case that remains pending before them," he said. The senator said within a period of six years and with the creation of more courts, appointment of more judges, the life span of a case on average should be reduced to two years maximum. “When cases are resolved swiftly and fairly, then the respect, trust, and confidence in our justice system is reinforced immensely." — Amita O. Legaspi, RJAB Jr.LBG, GMANews.TV