SC dismisses retired justices’ case vs Abad over unreleased benefits

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by retired justices of the Court of Appeals to compel Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to release of their salary increases and special allowances for January 2011.

In a two page resolution, the high court dismissed the case filed against Abad after the retired justices themselves withdrew their petition when the Budget Department released a portion of their benefits.

“The Court resolved to dismiss the instant petition without prejudice to instituting another petition for the release and funding for future claims,” the high court said.

The Association of Retired Court of Appeals Justices (ARCAJI), led by its President Teodoro Regino, filed the petition for mandamus in 2011 after Abad allegedly refused and failed to fund and release the salary increases and their special allowances from January to October last year.