Salary hikes, benefits, perks for SC employees before CJ retires

GOODBYE Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro,who will retire on Wednesday, bids farewell to colleagues and employees of the Supreme Court after Monday’s flag-raising ceremony. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Outgoing Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro’s term lasting just six weeks saw the Supreme Court give out salary increases, bonuses and promotions to court officials and employees, as well as perks to retired justices.

At her farewell flag ceremony on Monday, two days before her retirement, De Castro announced that employees would get another bonus as a “token of appreciation” from the justices “for your dedicated service to the court and for your hard work.”

“I tried my best so that my presence will be most felt not only by the employees of the court but also by our judges and justices nationwide. I hope you felt it,” De Castro said to the applause of those who packed the tribunal’s front grounds.

According to a summary released by De Castro’s office, the Supreme Court on Sept. 11 increased the salary of first-level court judges, or judges of municipal trial courts, municipal circuit trial courts and shariah circuit courts.

The bonus comes in the form of additional “fringe benefits” that are subject to tax.

Third time

It was the third time that the benefits were granted to justices, judges, officials and employees of the judiciary, after Sept. 4 and Oct. 2, with benefits amounting to P10,000. No amount was given on the first and third fringe benefits.

De Castro assumed office on Aug. 28 after a tumultuous period in the high tribunal that saw the ouster of then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

De Castro testified at a hearing of the House of Representatives’ justice committee on the impeachment complaint filed against Sereno.

She and seven other justices later voted to nullify Sereno’s appointment through a quo warranto petition by Solicitor General Jose Calida. Six justices voted against the petition.

Calida’s suit accused Sereno of lack of integrity for her supposed failure to fully declare her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth and for alleged tax declarations and unauthorized expenses.

Shortest term

When she retires at 70 on Wednesday, De Castro will make history as the top magistrate with the shortest term.

The Supreme Court also increased the cost-of-living allowance for officials and personnel of the judiciary for August and approved extra rice subsidy for two quarters of this year.

Retired justices of the tribunal, except those who have reentered government service, were also provided a bodyguard or a driver.

It also adjusted the retirement pay of retired justices and judges to correspond to any salary increases given to incumbent justices or judges during the five-year period after their retirement.

The Supreme Court also granted the request for higher retirement benefits for some former Sandiganbayan justices and newly retired Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr. and Samuel Martires.

It increased the budget for the retirement activities for the Chief Justice (up to P2.2 million) and for associate justices (up to P2 million).

Aside from the bonuses, De Castro said the high court promoted career officials and opened positions that had been unfilled for many years.

She will still preside the full-court session on Tuesday and the continuation of oral arguments on President Duterte’s order to withdraw the country’s membership from the International Criminal Court. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN