CREATING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO FORMULATE GUIDELINES ON THE RATES OF ALLOWANCES FOR LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRAVELS OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE JUDICIARY.

WHEREAS, on 23 March 2004, the President of the Philippines promulf\gated Executive Order No. 298 entitled “ Amending Further Executive Order No. 248 – Dated August 14, 1995 which Prescribes Rules and Regulations and New Rules of Allowances for Official Local and Foreign Travels of Government Personnels”;

WHEREAS, in his Memorandum of 18 June 2004, Hon. Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Court Administrator, and Ms. Antonia A. Soria, Officer-in-Charge, financial Managemnet Office, Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), recommended the creation of a committee to address some issues relative to the implementation of E.O. No. 298, including its impact on the fiscal autonomy of the Judiciary, as well as avoidance of inconsistencies, confusion, or misunderstanding in the application of the law or rules on local travel by the Supreme Court and the OCA; and

WHEREAS, IN HER Memorandum of 6 July 2004, Atty. Eden T. Candelaria, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer of the Supreme Court, confirms the need to have a set guidelines on local and foreign travels of officials and employee of the Judiciary, especially with regards to the new rates of expense allowance under EO No. 298 and hence, she agrees to the constitution of the Committee proposed by the court Administrator and the OIC of the FMO, OCA.

WHEREAS, the Court finds merit in the recommendation.

NOW, THEREFORE, there is hereby created an AD HOC COMMITTEE TO PREPARE GUIDELINES ON RATES OF ALLOWANCES FOR LOCAL AND FOREIGN TRAVELS FOR JUDICIARY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, which shall be composed of:

Chairman                  :           COROZAN M. ORDOÑEZ

                                              Chief, Financial Management and budget Office

Vice Chairman          :           EDNA E. DIÑO

                                              Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Attorney

Members                  :           ANTONINA A. SORIA

                                              OIC, FMO, OCA

                                              ADORACION S. YULO

                                              Chief, Finance Division, FMBO

A representative from the Commission on Audit, SC team, to be designated by Supervising Auditor, Cecilia T. Caga-anan

The Committee shall study, propose, and recommend the appropriate guidelines and procedures relative to the rates of allowances for both local and foreign official travels of justices, Judges, officials, and employees of the Judiciary, taking into account the provisions of EO No. 298 promulgated by the President on 23 March 2004, and other relevant and applicable laws and issuances, including those of the Chief Justice to augment the appropriations for some items in the budget of the Judiciary from savings in other items in said budget.

The Chairman, vice Chairman, members, and Secretary of the Committee shall be entitled to the expense allowances provided for in Administrative Circular

The Committee shall submit its recommendation not later than 30 August 2004.

This Memorandum Order  shall take effect upon its issuance.

Issued this 12^th day July 2004.

(per A.M. No. 99-12-08-SC- revised)