PGMA signs law expanding retirement benefits to judges, justices
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Judges of Regional, Metropolitan, and Municipal Trial Courts, as well as Shari’a District Courts, are now at par
with members of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, at least in as far as the enjoyment of retirement and
other benefits are concerned.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made it all possible with the signing this morning of Republic Act No. 9946,
otherwise known as An Act Granting Additional Retirement, Survivorship, and Other Benefits to Members of the
Judiciary.
The new law amends Republic Act No. 910, which provides additional benefits to Supreme Court and Appellate
Court justices but fails to extend the same benefits to judges of the lower courts.
On hand to witness the signing ceremony were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker
Prospero Nograles, principal authors of Senate Bill No. 1620 and House Bill No. 6820, which resulted in the law
that corrects the injustice.
Apart from increasing the amount of pension of retiring judges and justices, RA 910 provides scholarship to one
legitimate child and extends survivorship benefits to the surviving spouse and dependent children.
It is expected that with the expanded retirement benefit coverage, brilliant lawyers would be attracted to join and
serve in the judiciary.
With more competent trial court judges, it is further observed, the administration of justice will be enhanced and
the delivery of judicial services to the people will be greatly improved.
Also in attendance were Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri,
House Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, Representatives Matias Defensor (3rd Dist., Quezon City), Arthur
Defensor (3rd Dist., Iloilo), Marcelino Teodoro (1st Dist., Marikina City), Ronald Singson (1st Dist., Ilocos Sur),
Edgardo Chatto (1st Dist., Bohol), Magtanggol Gunigundo (2nd Dist., Valenzuela City), Eufrocino Codilla (4th
Dist., Leyte), Manuel Agyao (Lone Dist., Kalinga), Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Judge Concepcion
Buencamino representing the retired members of the Judiciary.
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Palace moves to avert looming water crisis
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Malacanang has directed the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to ensure adequate water supply in
urban cities and provinces in the wake of the impending water crisis brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.
In a media briefing today, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said LWUA, which is headed by chairman
Prospero Pichay Jr., has been ordered to hasten the implementation of projects aimed at filling the water needs
of the metropolis as well as the provinces.
“President Arroyo has instructed LWUA to make sure all impending dam projects such as that in Laiban in
Tanay are completed before the summer season,” he said.
The Laiban dam project is meant to address the projected water shortfall of 1,600 million liters a day by 2015.
Ermita said an information drive on the looming water problem is in the works. A water conservation campaign
is also being readied, he added.
In places with no existing water facilities, Ermita said, a so-called water catchment system is proving to be
popular.
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