Photo Release

Fiscal autonomy of the judiciary: Sen. Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino presides over the Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, on the proposed Fiscal Autonomy Act of the judiciary bills filed by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Senate Bill No. 1996) and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (SBN 2111). Tolentino said the hearing aims to define fiscal autonomy of the judicial branch of government and this would conflict with the power of the purse of the Congress. The senator said critical in the investigation is the role of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the current fiscal situation vis-a-vis the fiscal autonomy of the Commission on elections and other constitutional bodies. “But critical here would be the DBM in terms of the current situation, as well as the definition of 'savings,' and how the budget is being played out through a fiscal year,” Tolentino said at the start of the hearing. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)