President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to respecting the Supreme Court’s autonomy and authority as he signed the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act in Malacañang Palace.
“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,” Marcos said during the ceremonial signing. “This commitment thus calls on us to stay true to our Constitution, to champion integrity and fairness, and implement laws with prudence and foresight.”
The President stressed that democracy functions effectively only when each branch of government fulfills its role without overstepping constitutional limits. The new law, he said, strengthens safeguards that allow the judiciary to perform its duties more efficiently and independently.
Under the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act, the judiciary’s proposed budget will be transmitted directly to Congress and incorporated into the national budget exactly as submitted. Funds will be automatically released to the judiciary every month.
The measure also authorizes the Chief Justice—through a Supreme Court resolution—to reallocate funds and augment budget items where necessary, such as for additional personnel, courtroom repairs, or improvements in court systems.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the Supreme Court will submit quarterly reports to both the executive and legislative branches on how funds are utilized.
The law also establishes a Judiciary Trust Fund, enabling courts to use their own collections for urgent needs, streamline hiring, reorganize offices, and decentralize operations to make services more accessible to the public.
Marcos expressed his gratitude to Congress for passing the measure, describing it as a crucial step toward building a more progressive Bagong Pilipinas where rights are protected and Filipinos live “with peace, dignity, and pride.”
