Cebu judges gripe on supplies

06/28/2010 - CEBU judges will hold a dialog with the Regional Court Administration Office in Central Visayas (RCAO-7) about the shortage of office supplies in their offices.

Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes said some judges were forced to pay out of their own pockets for common office supplies.

The RCAO-7 said a P12-million budget for court supplies is awaiting release.

Judge Cresencio Tan, RCAO-7 director, said the budget cannot be used yet since the Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) had yet to be authorized by the Supreme Court to engage with office suppliers.

He said the RBAC contract expired last March 2010 and had yet to be given an extension by the SC.

“The money is there. The only problem is the lack of authority to operate,” Tan told CEBU DAILY NEWS.

Court employees earlier called for the dissolution of the RCAO-7 following criticisms against its operations.

Among the complaints raised were delays in the release of court employees' allowances and the rudeness of RCAO-7 office staff.

The pilot RCAO-7 was launched by the High Court last July 2008 to enhance the autonomy, accountability and efficiency of the judiciary and the administration of justice.

Tan said the SC came up with a memorandum which mandates RBAC to submit all their recommendations for approval of the High Court.

Tan is expected to vacate his post as RCAO-7 director on June 30 after he decided to return as presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Dumaguete City. (Cebu Daily News)