黑料社 FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥擳he judiciary does not exercise discretion in the use of its special funds, the Supreme Court said on Friday.
The statement came as an indirect response to reported moves in Congress to examine how the Supreme Court uses the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF), an allocation decreed by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos to augment personnel allowances, maintenance and acquisition funds of the judiciary.
Some lawmakers have likened the JDF to pork barrel despite repeated assertions of the judiciary to the contrary.
The JDF has had its share of controversies, including failed moves to impeach former Chief Justice Hilario Davide in 2003 over alleged irregularities in releases of funds.
鈥淭here is no discretion on how to spend JDF funds鈥攚hether as to amount, percentage or purpose,鈥� Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te said in a post on his personal Twitter account.
Te鈥檚 statement was a reiteration of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno鈥檚 assertion in December last year that she was 鈥渘ot given any discretion on how the funds will be used.鈥�
Sereno said the funds existed 鈥渇or the benefit of the members and personnel of the judiciary to help ensure and guarantee the independence of the judiciary as mandated by the Constitution and public policy, and required by the impartial administration of justice.鈥�
A news report published on Friday quoted Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano as saying that he would request the House committee on appropriations to examine the proposed judiciary budget and the JDF at the start of deliberations on the 2015 budget next month.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fari帽as was quoted in the same report as saying he would request a review of Presidential Decree No. 1949, which created the JDF.
Their statements came two days after the Supreme Court struck down Malaca帽ang鈥檚 Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), citing breach of Congress鈥� power of the purse and constitutional provisions on聽 separation of powers.
The Supreme Court entire budget accountability reports (BARs), have been uploaded on the highest tribunal鈥檚 website and regularly updated.
Malaca帽ang hailed the move, initiated by then Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, as an 鈥渦nprecedented disclosure鈥� by the Supreme Court amid calls for transparency and accountability.
Carpio ordered the publication of the BARs amid criticism of the Supreme Court鈥檚 lack of financial transparency during the time of Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was ousted for dishonesty in his financial disclosures.
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