By Charissa Luci-Atienza Siquijor Rep. Rav Rocamora is proposing to grant Clerks of Court the same retirement and survivorship benefits being received by public prosecutors and public attorneys. House of Representatives.
(Credits: Houstimowparagas.files.wordpress.com | Manila Bulletin File Photo) Rocamora, an ally of President Duterte, filed House Bill 7494 seeking to grant retirement, survivorship and other benefits to the Clerks of Court of the Regional Trial Courts and the Clerks and Assistant Clerks of Court of the Office of the Clerk of Court of the regional trial courts. “When I was a prosecutor, I saw first-hand how hard the prosecutors, the public attorneys, and the clerks of court work,” Rocamora said. “These three types of lawyers are essential to the justice system. Unfortunately, the clerks seem to be viewed on a lower rank because they receive less when they retire," he said. Benefitting from HB 7494 are clerks of court who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years, who have reached the optional retirement age of 60 years and who have resigned due to partial or permanent disability. The Clerk of Court is responsible for the receipt of filed cases, the collection of legal fees, the raffling of cases, the sending of court processes, the receipt and safekeeping of evidence, the management of court supplies and equipment, among others. For Family Courts, the Clerk also sits as the Chairperson of the Diversion Committee for cases involving children in conflict with the law. “It is only fair that the lawyer who ensures that the court runs smoothly is rewarded for his service. Without their service, our courts will come to a halt. Personally, this is my way of thanking all of our clerks of court for the difficult job they do,” Rocamora said.