KIKO RECOMMENDS AN ADDTL 20% INCREASE IN JUDICIARY BUDGET TO MODERNIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE RULE OF LAW
"P2B more will go a long way in the effort to strengthen the rule of law in the country." --- Kiko Pangilinan

Following the signing of the Judicial, Executive and Legislative Consultative Council (JELACC) by President Gloria Arroyo, Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today recommended a 20 percent increase in budgetary support for the judiciary for 2009.

"JELACC has agreed in principle to work on a 20 percent increase in judiciary budget by 2009. This is unprecedented. If achieved it would allocate one percent of the national budget for judiciary, the highest allocation in the history of the judiciary. Furthermore, this will greatly help in modernizing the judiciary and strengthening the rule of law." Kiko said.

JELACC was the brainchild of Sen. Kiko in his advocacy to champion the cause of the judiciary. He first proposed this during the summit on extra-judicial killings and involuntary disappearances last July 2007. It is the only government entity that provides for the participation and interaction of the three highest officials of the three branches of government.

Likewise, a sub committee will be created to look into and recommend additional compensation packages for government lawyers and will be chaired by Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, principal author of RA 9227 and RA 9229, laws that provides additional compensation for judges and prosecutors respectively. We are losing our government lawyers to the private sector because of low pay. This affects the administration of justice and must be addressed squarely" Kiko ended.