Judiciary pay hike law signed

Justices and judges were given a raise in pay yesterday after President Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9227, the Judiciary Compensation Act of 2003.

Under the new law, justices and judges will receive special allowances equivalent to 100 percent of their monthly salary specified in their salary grades as provided in the Salary Standardization Law.

The wage hike will be implemented for a period of four years.

In signing the law during a convention of the Philippine Judges’ Association at the Century Park Sheraton Hotel in Manila, Mrs. Arroyo said the salary increase is part of the government’s bid to reform the criminal justice system and law enforcement.

"When there is lawlessness and unpeace, there is no progress for peoples or nations," she said.

"The community, the jailer, the judge, the prosecutor, the law enforcers, all have an indispensable role to play. And the judicial reform law that we just passed and signed is one of the most important components of judicial reform."

Mrs. Arroyo said the Judiciary Compensation Act would be a "strong shield for temptations" to which justices and judges have always been exposed.

"This law is a worthy companion to the respect and dignity accorded to the members of the courts and a manifestation of social justice, this time with the justices and judges as the beneficiaries of social justice," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the new law is a tribute and recognition by society of the hard work that justices and judges are doing for peace, order and the rule of law.

"I know the trials of tribulations of being a judge, not because I’m a lawyer, but I have a cousin who is a judge, I have an uncle who is a judge, and observing them through the years and observing many of you, I know," she said.

"I can see that many judges have placed future on the land. And even more than (that) they placed their family on the line and ... even placed life on the line to fight crime and terror."

Many Filipinos, including herself have long held that the foundations of democracy are the rule of law and an environment of peace, Mrs. Arroyo added.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said with the signing of the Judiciary Compensation Act, the 723 vacant positions in regional and municipal trial courts nationwide will soon be filled up.

"More competent and honest lawyers would be encouraged to join the judiciary because of the increased pay," he said.

"At present, there are 2,214 positions for justices and judges in the various courts across the country, but only 1,491 are filled up."

Drilon said the Supreme Court has a hard time filling up 2,214 posts for judges because of lack of applicants, who complain of poor pay and low incentives.

"Government records show that a regional trial court judge receives a salary of P25,333 a month, while a judge of the metropolitan trial court gets P24,350 a month," he said.

Drilon said justices and judges should show their gratitude to the Filipino people by acting swiftly on cases before their courts.

"We can never hope to have an independent and efficient judicial system, much less honest court personnel, if we do not upgrade the salary of the members of the judiciary," he said.

The Judiciary Compensation Act offers justices and judges a compensation package that would shield them from corruption and vested interests, Drilon added. –Jose Rodel Clapano