Travel Funds for Pinoy Judges
The Cebu City Government has allocated P1.8 million for the travel to London of eight female judges and trip to Palawan of some 50 court workers next month.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he has approved the request for cash assistance from the judges and the court workers.
Judges Ester M. Veloso, Estela Alma Singco-Caruso, Generosa Labra, Enriquita Belarmino, Monalila Tecson, Sylva Aguirre-Paderanga, Rosabella Tormis and Pamela Baring-Uy were invited to attend the 11th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges from May 2-5 in London.
They appealed to Mayor Rama for financial assistance of P150,000 each to cover their registration and hotel bill, transportation and incidental expenses in London.
Cebu City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the mayor granted the request after the judges visited City Hall early this year.
He said the financial assistance will be charged to the aid to the judiciary account under the peace and order program.
Rama said the city will support continuing education for the judges as long as it can afford it.
Apart from the P1.2 million for the judges’ trip to London, the City Government is also giving P35,000 to P40,000 monthly allowance to judges from the Regional and Municipal Trial Courts in the city, including the justices from the Court of Appeals Cebu station.
Mayor Rama has also approved the request of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) employees in the city for the City Government to shoulder their travel expenses to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan next month.
Some 50 court employees in the city are planning to attend the 15th national convention of the Philippine Association of Court Employees on May 9, 10 and 11.
Desiree Joy Obsines, RTC local chapter president, asked the mayor for his support.
The estimated expenses per delegate is pegged at P12,000, which includes the registration fee, air fare/boat fare and room accommodation for the three-day national convention, or a total of P600,000 for all 50 court workers from Cebu.
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