Manila flood delays salaries of court workers

THE  massive flood that hit Metro Manila last week has delayed the release of the salaries of court employees in Cebu.

Arturo Batoctoy, a court process server of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 had to walk from his home in barangay Labangon to the Palace of Justice yesterday as he has already spent his last centavo.

“This is the first time we have not received our salaries on time due to the flooding in Manila. I won’t complain,” Batoctoy told Cebu Daily News in Cebuano.

Court employees receive their salaries on the 10th or 20th of every month. Bank transfers for ATM release were apparently affected by the calamity.

Clerk of Court Chevin Vasquez said the salaries  were ready for release but  were not immediately sent to Cebu due to the flood.

“This is not the fault of the Supreme Court. There’s no one to blame,” Vasquez said.

She had to lend money to about 10 staff members of RTC Branch 9 while waiting for their salaries.

“It is better to have no salary than to experience the flood in Manila,” she said.

Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes said while the flooding in Manila is a good reason for the delay, he said the High Court should make sure that  salaries are released to  court employees.

“I symphatize with our court employees. Flooding might be a small consideration (for the delays) but the High Court should not sleep while court employees have no money to use.”