House to COA: Produce SC ‘pork’ documents in 10 days

Representative Neil Tupas, Jr., INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –The House of Representatives justice committee gave the Commission on Audit 10 days (COA) to produce the documents over the Supreme Court’s Judiciary Development Fund (JDF).

Representative Niel Tupas Jr., committee chairman, initially asked COA for the records of collections and disbursement since the fund’s creation in 1984.

This is to check on patterns on the use of what has long been seen as the court’s version of “pork barrel,” Tupas said.

COA commissioner Heidi Mendoza said they would try their best but some information may no longer exist.

Tupas said COA should at least produce records since 1999.

Mendoza asked for a week. The panel gave COA 10 days.

The lower chamber is conducting a hearing over two bills that seek to amend and amend the law creating the JDF, after the Supreme Court struck down Congress’ Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) at the height of a corruption scandal involving the lawmakers’ alleged transfer of PDAF or “pork barrel” funds to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs).

The JDF, long seen as the court’s “pork barrel”, is sourced from the funds collected by courts nationwide from docket and other court fees.

Presidential Decree 1949, dated July 18, 1984 created the JDF “in order to preserve and enhance the independence of the judiciary at all times and safeguard the integrity of its members,” being the lone apolitical branch of government.

Under PD 1949, 80-percent of the JDF shall be used to augment the allowances of justices, judges, and court personnel; the remaining 20-percent for office equipment and facilities.

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