Court workers protest higher taxes

CEBU CITY—Judges and court employees in Cebu and Iloilo wore black shirts on Monday to take part in nationwide protest actions against the imposition of tax deductions on their allowances and benefits.

Judges and employees said the deductions are a big dent on their income.

In Cebu, employees said they were shocked when their annual anniversary bonus in June was deducted by 30 percent for taxes.

“It really hurts. The amount deducted from our allowances could have given us a huge lift,” said a court clerk who requested anonymity.

The court clerk said the government should have instead increased allowances and salaries because judges and court workers spend more for fare at the Qimonda IT Center, which now houses Cebu City’s courts and offices following damage caused to the Chief Justice Marcelo B. Fernan Hall of Justice by a 7.2-magnitude quake on Oct. 15 last year.

“The government should have considered the condition of those who will be affected by its decision,” said the court clerk, a single mother with five children.

“Take for example the amount we spent in transferring here. If they continue to deduct our allowances, what will be left of us?” she said.

The deductions were based on a memorandum order dated June 18, 2014 that was issued by the Supreme Court in compliance with instructions from the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Based on the high court’s directive, an employee who is supposed to receive financial benefits of P10,000 will receive only P6,800 after the tax deduction.

Judge Simeon Dumdum, of the Cebu Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7, said the increase in tax deductions would also hurt judges.

“Definitely, if our benefits are reduced, judges would somehow lose what has been a source of financial support,” he said.

Dumdum, who is set to retire in December, said allowances are meant to free them from financial anxiety.

“The (financial) benefits we receive (from the government) have been a big help to us. There are several judges who are sickly. Some have children to send to school. So the government should understand that we are not living luxurious lives here,” he said.

In Iloilo City, employees and several judges reported for work at the Chief Justice Q. Ramon Avanceña Hall of Justice wearing black shirts.

“This is in support of the nationwide protests because we are all affected (by the additional tax deductions),” said Judge Globert Justalero, spokesperson of the Iloilo RTC.

The Iloilo Hall of Justice houses 18 RTC branches and 10 Municipal Trial Court in Cities branches.

He said the “Black Monday” protest was also in support of a similar protest held last week by employees of the Sandiganbayan.

Among the allowances that would be reduced for taxes are the Special Allowances for the Judiciary (SAJ), Judicial Development Fund (JDF) and rice allowances, according to Justalero.

Justices, judges and court officials receive every month an SAJ equivalent to their basic monthly salary. SAJ is funded from legal fees and other court collections.