President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday welcomed the signing into law of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act, which will strengthen the administration of justice, ensuring efficiency in serving the public.

“Higit sa lahat, ang batas na ito ay para sa taumbayan,” President Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act in Malacañan Palace.

The President said implementing the law would result in a much-improved ability of the judiciary to fulfill its sworn duty to administer justice.

“Kapag may sapat na pondo at malinaw na patakaran sa paggamit nito, magagawa ng Hudikatura nang mas mabuti ang kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin. Ang bawat kasong nakahain sa mga korte ay mapapakinggan at madedesisyunan nang walang takot at walang alinlangan,” said President Marcos.

Furthermore, the new law strengthens the executive branch’s commitment to work alongside the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government to uplift the condition of the Filipino people.

“Above all, let us always remember that even our smallest decisions can shape the lives of very many people and the future of the nation,” the Chief Executive said.

The Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act allows the Supreme Court to submit its original budget proposal directly to Congress, as an attachment to the National Expenditure Program prepared by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The law also ensures that the monthly cash requirements of the judiciary – equivalent to one-twelfth of its total budget — will be released automatically by the DBM.

At the same time, the law strengthens the judiciary’s authority to address shortages in its workforce that facilitates the transfer of ownership of properties acquired for the judiciary to the Supreme Court, ensuring better control and management of its assets.

The Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act significantly supports the Supreme Court’s ongoing modernization efforts under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI). | PND