FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2068 
Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In October, 2003, the President of the Philippines signed into law Republic Act No. 
9227, which granted special allowances to the members of the Judiciary equivalent to one 
hundred percent (100%) of their monthly basic salary, to be implemented on a staggered 
basis in a span of four (4) years. 
Despite the grant of special allowances, however, the justices and Judges still 
cannot be considered adequately compensated for the sensitive duties and responsibilities 
that their positions entail. Even if the special allowances will be at a 100% implementation, 
the income of Justices and Judges will still not be at par with the income of an average law 
practitioner. 
Receiving even lower salaries are the lawyers in the Judiciary who are neither 
Justices nor Judges. They are placed in a grossly inferior position, as they were left out in 
R.A. No. 9227. 
The low compensation of the members of the Bench and the other lawyers in the 
Judiciary drives away bright and promising lawyers. Even with the enactment of R.A. No. 
9227, filling up of vacancies continues to be a major problem. And, as a necessary 
consequence, case backlogs continue to soar. 
We must face the obvious problem - we need more judges and lawyers in the 
Judiciary. To entice the good and bright lawyers to these positions, we need to beef up 
their compensation package. 
. 
With the aforementioned premises, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
.S.B. No. 2068 
Introduced by Senator EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
AN ACT 
ADOPTING A SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE BENCH 
AND OTHER LAWYERS IN THE JUDICIARY, PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
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adopt effective measures to ensure an independent, responsive and efficient Judiciary, 
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worthy of public trust and confidence. Accordingly, this Act aims to: 
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a. 
b. 
Raise the level of competence and ensure the integrity of the Justices, 
Judges and lawyers in the Judiciary; and improve the compensation 
system for the members of the Bench, including court personnel, to be 
able to attract the best and the brightest to the Judiciary. 
Improve the compensation system for the members of the Bench, 
including court personnel, to be able to attract the best and the brightest to 
the judiciary. 
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SEC. 2. Salary Schedule of the Members of the Bench and the Lawyers in the 
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Judiciary. - All Justices, Judges and lawyers in the Judiciary shall receive the following 
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monthly salaries in accordance with their respective salary grades under Republic Act 
IS 
No. 6758, as amended, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization Law: 
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SEC. 3. Coverage, -The salary schedule set forth in Section 2 of this Act shall 
exclusively pertain to those positions in the Judiciary requiring, as a minimum 
qualification, admission to the Philippine Bar. 
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SEC. 4. - Limitations. - Positions in govermnent offices other than the Judiciary 
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that are equal in rank to the above positions, or are given the same rank and privileges of 
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the above positions under existin& laws, shall not be covered by the salary schedules 
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provided in Section 2 hereof 
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SEC. 5. - Incentive Scheme. - To carry out the declared policy of this Act, the 
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Office of the Court Administrator is hereby authorized, in coordination with the 
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Department of Budget and Management, to prepare and adopt an incentive scheme for 
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officers and employees in the Judiciary not otherwise covered by Sections 2 and 3 of this 
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Act. 
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SEC. 6. Fund Source. - The amounts necessary to carry out initially the 
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provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the Judiciary; 
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and should such amount be inadequate, the needed balance shall be taken from any funds 
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in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated and partly from the JudiCiary 
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Development Fund. Thereafter, such funds as may be needed for the continued 
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implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 7. Implementing Guidelines- The Supreme Court shall issue the necessary 
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guidelines, ill coordination with the Department of Budget and Management, for the 
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proper implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from approval hereof. 
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SEC. 8, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 9, Separability Claust; - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and 
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effect. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
S 
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Approved, 
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