Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno has approved the release of an Emergency Economic Assistance (EEA) benefit in April 2008 and an Additional Cost of Living Allowance under the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF) for May 2008 as additional benefits to qualified court officials and personnel.

In Memorandum Order No. 18-2008, signed on April 30, 2008, Chief Justice Puno authorized the release of the EEA equivalent to one month basic salary but not less than PhP7,500 to qualified court employees of the Supreme Court, Presidential Electoral Tribunal, the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and the Court of Tax Appeals, who have been in service for at least six months as of April 30, 2008.  Qualified employees who have rendered at least one month but less than six months of service as of the cut-off date were also entitled to the pro-rata rates of the benefit.

Likewise, the EEA equivalent to one month basic salary but not less than PhP7,500 were granted to qualified judges, officials, and personnel of the lower courts, including the personnel of the Halls of Justice (HOJ), in two separate releases: First was the allowance equivalent to three-fourth (3/4) month basic salary but not less than PhP7,500, followed by the remaining allowance equivalent to one-fourth (1/4) month basic salary to complete the one month basic salary, after sufficient savings have been generated from the regular appropriations of the lower courts.

The Chief Justice also granted the release of an Additional Cost of Living Allowance under the JDF to qualified court personnel in amounts ranging from PhP1,900 to PhP2,100 depending on the employee’s salary grade, in Memorandum Order No. 22-2008, dated June 6, 2008.