Justice being denied to many
PROSECUTORS FOR ALL AREAS SO CASES WILL MOVE - ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara yesterday sat with the secretaries of Department of Justice and its attached agencies not only to hear their budget but urged DOJ to ensure effective, speedy, and compassionate administration of justice.

From P11.9 Billion budget proposal of DOJ it was cut down to P6.5 Billion of the President's Budget, P5.4 Billion lower than what DOJ proposed and this is for DOJ and its 9 attached agencies.

FY 2010 all attached agencies of DOJ will have lower budgets except Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

o Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) = P23.583 million or 7.62%
o Public Attorney's Office (PAO) = P58.646 million or 7.18%

The said increase in the OSG will cover the additional salaries and allowances of 149 plantilla positions approved by the DBM to be filled up.

Under R.A 9406, as part of the reorganization and strengthening of PAO an additional amount of P43.335 million or 5.85% for Personal Services will be made available and another P15.311 million for the establishment of new district offices.

However DOJ said that many are disregarded and were not considered;

• Locally funded projects

• Repairs and maintenance

• Supplies and materials

• Medicine allowance

• Trainings and seminars

• Confidential and intelligence fund

• Communication equipment materials

Angara's initial assessment includes extra funding for NBI to advance equipments to further address and solve terrorism, cyber crimes and improve anti laundering measures, increase for Bureau of Corrections or BUCOR, necessary amount but by reference for ICT equipments meaning funds will come from CICT appropriation and more importantly Angara emphasized the need to review entry level salary so graduates of law wont shy away to public service and we can get the best and the brightest in the country to protect and bring justice.

An increase will most likely be recommended and Angara assured DOJ that he will study both proposal and advised DOJ not be disheartened but continue working hard and ensure an effective, speedy, and compassionate administration of justice.