Request of Association of Retired RTC Judges of the Philippines for the Immediate Implementation of R.A. No. 9946
On July 26, 2011, the Philippine Supreme Court en banc resolved to amend Administrative Circular No. 81-2010 regarding educational benefits for children of Justices and Judges. The amendments included redefining "child" to refer only to the biological children of Justices or Judges, and specifying "tuition fee" as the cost for instruction at state universities, excluding additional fees. The resolution established guidelines for applying for scholarships, including submission deadlines and documentation requirements. Additionally, it allows children currently enrolled in college to apply for scholarships to complete their existing or new courses, including law degrees. The modifications aim to clarify and streamline the educational benefits for eligible beneficiaries.
July 26, 2011
EN BANC
A.M. No. 10-7-6-SC
NOTICE
Sirs/Mesdames :
Please take notice that the Court en banc issued a Resolution dated July 26, 2011, which reads as follows: ISHaTA
"A.M. No. 10-7-6-SC (Re: Request of Association of Retired RTC Judges of the Philippines for the Immediate Implementation of R.A. No. 9946). — The Court Resolved to:
(a) AMEND Administrative Circular No. 81-2010 by —
(1) Deleting the words "minor" and "whether legitimate or not" in paragraph 7 in the Definition of Terms of "Child," to read as follows:
"DEFINITION OF TERMS:
xxx xxx xxx
7) CHILD — A child of the Justice or Judge entitled to the benefit."
(2) Adding paragraph "8) Tuition Fee" in the Definition of Terms, to read as follows:
"DEFINITION OF TERMS:
xxx xxx xxx
8) TUITION FEE — the payment for instruction charged by a state university or college but excludes miscellaneous fees, such as laboratory fees, medical fees and I.D. fee, and expenses for books, school supplies and board and lodging."
(3) Amending paragraph 4, page 5 thereof, to read as follows:
"4. The Justice or Judge shall be entitled to non-wage benefit in favor of one (1) child in the form of education scholarship consisting of free tuition fee for one (1) Bachelor's Degree in a state university or college, subject to the following guidelines: EcTCAD
(A) All applications for entitlement to the education scholarship shall be submitted on or before April 30 of each year to the Office of Administrative Services of the Supreme Court for children of Justices of the Supreme Court, the Office of Administrative Services of each of the collegiate appellate courts for children of Justices of said courts, and the Office of the Administrative Services of the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court for the children of Judges of the First and Second level courts.
(B) The application letter of a child-beneficiary shall indicate the state university or college of his or her choice, which should be furnished a copy of the application, attaching certified true copies of: (i) the birth certificate duly issued by the proper government agency, and (ii) the report card (Form 138) if he or she is a high school graduate or the transcript of records if he or she already has a college degree or has started college education.
(C) The respective Offices of Administrative Services shall: (i) verify the authenticity of the documents attached to the application letter; and (ii) recommend the proper action to the Supreme Court, through the Chief Justice, or the proper collegiate appellate court, through the Presiding Justice. Upon approval of the application, the proper Office of Administrative Services shall so inform the state university or college chosen by the child-beneficiary.
(D) A child-beneficiary presently studying in college may avail of the education scholarship to complete his course or opt to take up another course provided that he or she shall inform the Supreme Court of his or her option.
(E) The Bachelor's Degree may include the law course provided it is completed within the period specified in the curriculum.
(F) These guidelines shall apply to a child-beneficiary of a Justice or Judge who avails of optional retirement, permanent disability retirement, partial permanent disability retirement, or other modes of cessation from judicial service as may be provided for by law."
and
(b) APPROVE with MODIFICATION the draft Memorandum of Agreement by deleting the second WHEREAS clause found on page 2 thereof, to wit: "WHEREAS, the child, who shall be the beneficiary referred to herein, is a minor child, whether legitimate or not, of the Justice or Judge entitled to the benefit upon submission of application for educational benefit."" Del Castillo, J., on sick leave. Sereno, J., on official leave. (30)
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) ENRIQUETA E. VIDALClerk of Court