Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said on Sunday the House subcommittee on judicial reforms has already approved a proposed measure seeking to provide support for the surviving spouses and children of judges, justices and other judiciary officials who are killed intentionally in line of duty.
He said the subcommittee chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso approved the proposal contained in House Bill No. 2683which Abu authored.
Several judiciary officials have been murdered, assassinated and brutally killed by criminals to obstruct the resolution of ongoing cases, Abu said.
“The risk alongside the job of these judiciary officials should be counterbalanced by providing them with a grant that will encourage them to fully perform their duties and responsibilities. Hence, this bill seeks to support the judiciary by granting benefits to their surviving heirs in case they are killed while dispensing justice,” he said.
The bill, if passed, would embolden judges and justices, especially the young ones, to dispense justice without fear, knowing the government would back and support them and their families, he added.
In a recent congressional hearing, Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez endorsed the proposed measure, noting that most of the victims were killed due to their decisions involving drug-related offenses.