PNoy OKs additional leave privileges for judges

President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 10709 providing for 30 days forfeitable leave privileges annually to all judges of first level courts.

The leave privilege covers judges of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts and Shari’a Circuit Courts.

Under the law, all first level courts shall be entitled annually to 30 days forfeitable leave with pay in addition to 15 days vacation leave and 15 days sick leave privileges.

“In the computation thereof, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays shall be excluded. The forfeitable leave privilege under this Act shall be noncumulative and nonconvertible to cash,” the law states.

RA 10709 was approved on December 9 but was published only on December 15. The Supreme Court shall promulgate the rules and regulations of the law within 30 days after its effectivity.

The measure, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed on August 26, 2014, and was amended by the Senate on August 24, 2015. —ALG, GMA News