House panel OKs SC, DOJ, DOST budget proposals

The appropriations committee of the House of Representatives terminated last week its deliberations on the 2025 budget proposals of the judiciary and the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and of Science and Technology (DOST).

- DELON PORCALLA

The panel, headed by Rep. Zaldy Co, gave its stamp of approval, subject to the final approval of the plenary, to the proposed P82.4-billion budget of the Supreme Court (SC), the DOJ’s P37.758-billion budget allocation as well as DOST’s P28.77– billion budget for 2025.

Co expressed “full support” for the judiciary’s budget, citing the urgent need to address case delays and court congestion in all levels across the country, which “threaten the nation’s justice system.” He said he recognizes the judiciary’s strategic plan for judicial innovations as a crucial step toward resolving these issues. The plan includes creating a SC management committee, digitizing judiciary libraries, and adopting new regulations to enhance efficiency.

The proposed budget of the judiciary will support these initiatives and other reforms aimed at improving leadership, promoting genderfair language, and upholding human dignity within the judiciary.