Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1949)
The Fund is established for the benefit of the members and personnel of the Judiciary to help ensure and guarantee their independence, augment their allowances, and finance office equipment and facilities to uphold the impartial administration of justice.
The Fund is derived mainly from the increase in legal fees prescribed in amendments to Rule 141 of the Rules of Court and may include other sources.
At least 80% of the Fund shall be used for cost of living allowances for Judiciary personnel, and not more than 20% shall be used for acquiring, maintaining, and repairing office equipment and facilities of the courts where the legal fees are collected.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has the sole exclusive power and duty to administer, allocate, approve, and authorize disbursements of the Fund according to the guidelines in the Decree.
Allowances are to be distributed in proportion to their basic salaries, with the possibility of granting bigger allowances to members with basic salaries of less than P1,000.00 a month.
The Commission on Audit, through the Auditor of the Supreme Court or a representative, shall conduct quarterly audits of the Fund's receipts, revenues, uses, disbursements, and expenditures and submit written reports to the Chairman of the Commission on Audit and the Chief Justice, with copies furnished to designated appellate and executive judges.
They shall be deposited by the Chief Justice or an authorized representative in an authorized government depository bank or a private bank owned or controlled by the government.
No, the Decree explicitly states that nothing shall diminish the duty of local government units to provide office spaces, equipment, and facilities to courts within their jurisdiction as mandated by existing laws.
No, there shall be no reduction of compensation, allowances, benefits, and privileges enjoyed by Judiciary members and personnel as of the date the Decree takes effect.
It took effect upon the promulgation of the revised schedule of legal fees prescribed in Rule 141 of the Rules of Court.