Sereno had nothing to do with delays in release of survivorship benefits – SC exec

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno did not have any hand on the delayed release of benefits for retired justices and judges, a Supreme Court (SC) official told the House justice committee during Wednesday’s hearing on the impeachment complaint against the top magistrate.

Atty. Jocelyn Fabian, chairperson of the SC technical working group (TWG) on the special committee on retirement and civil service benefits, denied that Sereno had anything to do in the release of benefits to the surviving spouses, which took more than two years for the high court to decide on.

The House justice committee has been conducting hearings to determine the probable cause to impeach Sereno.

Siquijor Rep. Rav Rocamora asked Fabian whether Sereno influenced her, in any way, to delay the release.

She answered: “No, your honor. Absolutely none.”

Some justices and House lawmakers believed that the creation of the TWG by Sereno and two other justices caused the delay in the resolution of 29 applications for benefits for almost two years.

Lawyer Larry Gadon accused Sereno of violating the constitution for the inordinate delay in the release of benefits.

The task of the TWG was to come up with a recommendation on the case of the spouses of retired justices or judges, whether they would still be entitled to survivorship claims prior to the effectivity of Republic Act No. 9946 on February 11, 2010.

The law grants spouses of deceased justices or judges the same benefits that must be received by a retired magistrate.            /kga