SECOND DIVISION
[G.R. No. 238630. October 10, 2018.]
THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE-REVENUE INTEGRITY PROTECTION SERVICE (DOF-RIPS), petitioner,vs. DIGNO A. ENERIO, respondent.
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court, Second Division, issued a Resolution dated10 October 2018which reads as follows: HTcADC
"G.R. No. 238630 (THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE-REVENUE INTEGRITY PROTECTION SERVICE (DOF-RIPS) v. DIGNO A. ENERIO)
Petitioner Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS), through the Office of the Solicitor General, moves for the reconsideration of the Resolution dated 18 June 2018 requiring it to pay P1,000 for the Sheriff's Trust Fund (STF). According to petitioner, it cannot pay the STF because it has no funds allocated for the purpose. Petitioner alleges that it is not a government agency but the Republic itself. Petitioner asserts that it must be exempted from paying legal fees and costs, including STF.
In A.M. No. 17-12-09-SC, dated 10 January 2018, the Court clarified that STF is not part of the filing fees and that there is a need to collect the amount of P1,000 from those who are listed as exempted from the payment of filing fees. The Court stated that STF should be collected from government agencies and from those exempt from the payment of filing fees.
STF is not part of the filing fees. It is collected for the enforcement of judgments, which is for the benefit of the parties. A.M. No. 17-12-09-SC further clarified that STF is not only for sheriffs but also for process servers and other court personnel designated to serve notices, subpoenas, and other court processes. The Court has no funds for STF because there is no appropriation for it under the General Appropriations Act. The Court cannot divert its funds to pay for these fees which should be paid by the parties, including those who are listed as exempted from the payment of filing fees.
Accordingly, the Court resolves to DENY the motion of petitioner Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) to be exempt from payment of the Sheriff's Trust Fund.
The Court further resolves to NOTE the Compliance dated 17 August 2018 with the Resolution dated 18 June 2018 submitting the proof of service of a copy of the petition upon the Office of the Ombudsman. (J. Reyes, Jr., J., designated additional member per Special Order No. 2587 dated 28 August 2018)"
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) MARIA LOURDES C. PERFECTODivision Clerk of CourtBy:TERESITA AQUINO TUAZONDeputy Division Clerk of Court