Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 843)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 843 is to amend Sections 82 and 83, and add a new Section 98-A to Republic Act No. 296 (The Judiciary Act of 1948), to increase the salaries of Justices of the Peace and Judges of Municipal Courts, to provide for their vacation and sick leaves with pay, and to appropriate necessary funds for these purposes.
The salaries of Justices of the Peace depend on the classification of their municipality or court circuit. For circuit courts, the salary ranges from ₱3,240 to ₱3,600 annually; for first-class municipalities, ₱3,000 to ₱3,120; second-class, ₱2,640 to ₱2,880; and third to fifth-class municipalities and municipal districts, ₱2,400 to ₱2,520. The Secretary of Justice fixes the exact salary within these ranges with the President's approval, considering factors such as the number of cases and transportation accessibility.
A Justice of the Peace temporarily designated to act in one or more municipalities or districts in addition to their own is entitled to the salary of their own municipality plus an additional 30% of the salary for each additional municipality or district in which they act temporarily.
The annual salaries are: City of Manila - ₱7,200; Quezon City, Baguio, Cebu, Pasay, Iloilo - ₱6,600; Bacolod and San Pablo - ₱4,800; Cavite, Davao, Ormoc, Dagupan, Lipa, Zamboanga, and other cities - ₱4,200.
Justices of the Peace in provincial capitals receive salaries based on the classification of their province: First class "A" provinces - ₱4,800; First class "B" provinces - ₱4,200; First class provinces (general) - ₱3,960; Other provinces - ₱3,360. Additionally, the Judge of the Municipal Court of a city that is also a provincial capital is considered as the Justice of the Peace of that capital.
They are entitled annually to fifteen (15) days of vacation leave and fifteen (15) days of sick leave with pay. These leaves are to be enjoyed in accordance with a rotation plan set by the Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of their respective city or district.
The Executive Judge of the Court of First Instance of the city or district to which the judge or justice of the peace pertains is responsible for laying down the rotation plan for their leaves.
The Act took effect upon its approval on May 5, 1953.
The Act provides that any sum necessary to carry out its purposes shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Yes. The Secretary of Justice must consider the number of cases docketed in the court of the Justice of the Peace and the accessibility and means of transportation available between the different municipalities under their jurisdiction.