THE Budget Department said Tuesday it is not withholding the benefits of the retirees from the Public Attorneys’ Office.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad rejected the retirees’ claim that his department is blocking the release of P139 million that is due them.
“We referred this case to the [Justice Department] for their legal opinion because of conflicting interpretations of the provision of the National Prosecution Service Law pertaining to [the] coverage of their retirement benefits,” Abad said.
“Let us wait for the [department’s] opinion on the matter.”
Abad made his statement in response to the claim of 16 retired lawyers of the Public Attorneys’ Office who had filed a damage suit against him for allegedly withholding their retirement benefits.
“We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of PAO lawyers in ensuring the rule of law, truth and social justice as public defenders,” Abad said.
“PAO lawyers are our fellow public servants and we act with no malice or ill motive towards their right to receive in full the retirement benefits due them.”
Abad said his department will release the retirement benefits due the retirees once the Justice Department rules that they are entitled to the same retirement package as the prosecutors and judges under the National Prosecution Service Law.
“I would like to reiterate that the [Budget Department] elevated the matter to the [Justice Department] without any intention to withhold the benefits of the PAO retirees,” Abad said.