Court workers wear black to defend judiciary fund

CEBU, Philippines - Amid reports of a congressional move to scrap the Judiciary Development Fund, a number of court employees in Cebu City wore black and red yesterday as a sign of “silent protest.”

Sheriff IV Constancio Alimurong, Cebu chapter president of the Philippine Association of the Court Employees, said during the flag ceremony yesterday at Qimonda IT Center Building in the North Reclamation Area that about one-third of the employees wore black.

This was, he said, to show their stand on reports that judicial fund received by court officials and employees monthly will be scraped.

“There is this move to cut off the JDF, but for me it (should) take a process,” Alimurong said, adding wearing black is discretionary among court officials and employees.

He said there were no directives or order of such. He added that 80 percent of the JDF is allocated to the court’s supply and maintenance while the 20 percent goes to allowances.

Alimurong said such move to scrap JDF was not the first time.

“In the time of former chief justice (Hilario) Davide, there was a move to scrap JDF but it did not push through,” he said.

Alimurong said that not only the judiciary has income generating funds but also the other government agencies. Aside from that, he said the budget for military and education is much bigger than the judiciary’s.

Belinda Go, president of the Court Stenographic Reporters Association of the Philippines, said the purpose of the Congress who wants for the abolition of JDF is to control the fund.

“It is our understanding that JDF will be transferred to the national treasury and that it will be for the national treasury or the national government to distribute,” she added.

Court judges and employees receive P2,000 monthly from JDF. Go said if JDF will be scrapped, court officials and employees will be affected.

Meanwhile, after President Aquino encouraged his supporters to wear yellow ribbon during his speech to defend the issue of Disbursement Acceleration Program, Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said the government should not make actions that will widen the gap between people in the government.

“As much as possible unta let us do away with things that would only widen the gap and might make irritant from the branches of the government,” Labella said.

“In governance, if the executive (department) was adversely affected of the decision of the Supreme Court, then just file the necessary motion for reconsideration after there is an appeal or review mechanism,” he added.

Aquino in his speech last week said if he still has the support of the people, they would wear the yellow ribbon.

“We will come up with perhaps the manifestation of the support – if I still have the support – of our people, and concrete examples of this, perhaps wearing a yellow ribbon, among other things, just to demonstrate exactly in a quick manner where the sentiments of our people lie,” he said.

During his campaign for the 2010 Presidential Elections, the yellow ribbon was used as his official symbol which is also a tribute for his parents’ challenges during the Marcos regime.

Labella did not give further comment on the call of the President Aquino.  (FREEMAN)