Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Ceremonial Signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act

Thank you, Executive Secretary, Chief Lucas Bersamin. [Please be seated.]

Of course our – the former tenant of these surroundings, former President and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Senate President Chiz Escudero and the honorable members of the Senate, who are apparently now applying to be included in the Supreme Court [laughter] – nagkaroon lang ng ano autonomy eh gusto niyo na mag-Supreme Court? Paano naman – how will Chiz pass his ano – his legislation? [laughter]; Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the honorable members of the House of Representatives; Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the honorable Associate Justices of the Supreme Court; fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

A warm welcome to Malacañan Palace!

And it is truly nice to see all three branches of government under one roof, working together to strengthen our country’s democracy and democratic processes.

Democracy can only take root when every Filipino is certain that the law is the same for all. And that those who create, enforce, and interpret these laws do so without fear, without favor, and without anyone holding them by the purse strings.

Today, through the signing of the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act, we are putting safeguards in place so that the Judiciary can work more efficiently and more independently.

Our Constitution already mandates: The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous year, and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.

And this is why we continue to help the Judiciary become secure in its resources and perform its duty to serve our people without any delay.

Under this law, the proposed budget of the Judiciary will go straight to Congress, and shall be included in the national budget exactly as submitted.

Every month, funds will be released automatically.

The Chief Justice is authorized to augment any item, and modify, through en banc resolution, the allotment of funds—within the bounds of the law—to where they are most needed, whether that goes to hiring more personnel, repairing courtrooms, advancing their systems to keep up with the times.

In turn, the Supreme Court will report quarterly to the Executive and Legislative Branches on how these funds are judiciously spent.

This is how we promote transparency and accountability. This is how we do checks and balances.

This is how democracy works—by respecting the role each branch plays, while exercising our duty to ensure that no branch acts beyond what the Constitution allows.

We are also establishing a Judiciary Trust Fund, so the courts can tap their collected funds to address urgent needs.

The Supreme Court can reorganize its offices, hire staff faster, and bring services closer to the people by decentralizing operations.

Higit sa lahat, ang batas na ito ay para sa taumbayan.

Kapag may sapat na pondo at malinaw na patakaran sa paggamit nito, magagawa ng Hudikatura nang mas mabuti ang kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin.

Ang bawat kasong nakahain sa mga korte ay mapapakinggan at madedesisyunan nang walang takot at walang alinlangan.

Kaakibat nito, matutugunan ng hukuman ang hinaing ng taumbayan na dumudulog sa kanila at matutulungan silang isulong ang kanilang mga karapatan.

Mabibigyan din sila ng pagkakataong makamtan ang kalayaan, kapayapaan, at hustisya.

This law further strengthens the commitment of the Executive to work alongside the Judiciary as a co-equal branch of government. We recognize that each of us has a unique role, and yet we also have a shared responsibility, to uplift Filipino people.

Above all, let us always remember that even our smallest decisions can shape the lives of very many people and the future of the nation.

This Administration is committed to respecting the autonomy and authority of the Supreme Court as it discharges its constitutional duty to interpret the highest law of the land.

This commitment thus calls on us to stay true to our Constitution, to champion integrity and fairness, and implement laws with prudence and foresight.

I would like to take this opportunity to convey our deepest gratitude to the Legislature for passing this very significant law.

As we build a more progressive Bagong Pilipinas, let us ensure that the rights of our people remain secure and that every Filipino lives with peace, with dignity, with pride.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang Hudikatura!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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