Monday, May 19, 2008 PB backs creation of executive, court, legislative council
THE Cebu Provincial Board (PB) supports the creation of the Judiciary Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (Jelac), saying the move will foster cooperation among the three branches of government.
Jelac will foster consultation and cooperation in order to “advance shared priorities” in the national interest and to promote the “welfare” of all Filipinos.
Asserting their “independence” from each other, President Arroyo, Senate President Manuel Villar, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Chief Justice Reynato Puno agreed in principle to the creation of Jelac.
It is also expected that the body will tackle issues on economic measures, food security, press freedom and extra-judicial killings.
“Jepac provides the venue for our government leaders to formulate a cohesive policy and facilitate its fast and effective implementation to extricate majority of our people
from chains of poverty,” PB Member Victor Maambong said in his resolution.
Likewise, Maambong also proposed a separate motion supporting the increase of judiciary budget to hasten the resolution of cases pending before the court.
Of the P1.2-trillion national budget this year, the allocation for the judicial system is only P10.28 million. But the existing budget will be increased by about 20 percent next year.
The increase will help hasten the resolution of the pending cases due to lack of judges, court rooms and office equipment.
“A bigger budget would not only mean more courts and adequate office equipment but may also provide for attractive compensation to the judges,” said Maambong.
“Higher salary for judges would undoubtedly attract more lawyers to join the judiciary and fill up the numerous vacancies in the bench. The more judges, the more cases would be resolved,” he said. (GMD)
