News briefs

COURT CLERKS SEEK P15-T ALLOWANCE

ABOUT 22 clerks of courts from the Regional Trial Courts in Cebu City recently asked the city government to increase their monthly allowances from P8,000 to P15,000.

“We feel that the disparity of allowances/benefits enjoyed by our brethren who are also serving in the administration of justice has grown wider,” said their March 12 letter to Mayor Michael Rama.

Led by Chief Clerk of Courts Jeoffrey Joaquino, the group said their duties are not purely administrative in nature.

Aside from supervising court personnel, preparing reports, keeping track of court dockets and functioning as custodians of court properties, they also perform adjudicatory duties similar to those done by judges.

They function as court commissioners in hearings and conduct ocular inspections in expropriation and eminent domain cases among others.

“While others are resting in the comfort of their homes, we work tirelessly  even during holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, when exigency requires,” said their letter.

As lawyers and  members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, “we feel and humbly believe that we are likewise entitled to an increase in our allowances,” they said.

Last month, auditors suspended the  further release of allowances given by the Mandaue city government to various prosecutors, judges and court personnel  because no income tax deductions were made.

Mandaue City officials said they will seek the opinion of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Commission on Audit on the whether these allowances are subject to tax.   Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

COUNCIL DEFERS AID TO BARANGAYS

THE Cebu City Council deferred the release of financial aid to the mountain barangays of Tagba-o and Buhisan pending a review of their compliance with the city’s guidelines for allocation of assistance to barangays.

Councilor Margot Osmeña, who chairs the council budget committee, said it was important to determine if the two barangays liquidated their previous assistance before any new releases are made.

This after Councilor Jose Daluz III presented two resolutions authorizing Mayor Michael Rama to enter into an agreement with officials of barangays Tagba-o and Buhisan for the allocation of P3.4 million and P4.9 million in in aid respectively.

The city government budgeted P400 million in aid for the barangays. “It would also be fair to the other barangays if we release the financial assistance at the same time,” said Councilor Noel Wenceslao.

The amount of assistance is computed based on the barangay’s population and land area. Daluz asked if the budget committee could finish the review in  a week and what are the parameters of the review. He said there’s already a set of guidelines for the release of the aid to barangays

There are unconfirmed talks that Tagba-o and Buhisan barangay officials are allied with Rama which paved the early release of their share of financial aid from the city.

Daluz told the council that preparation of the MOA is dependent on how fast the barangays comply with requirements for the aid release. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac