House Speaker Martin Romualdez has hailed the enactment of a landmark measure granting the judiciary full fiscal autonomy--a law that he says will further strengthen judicial independence and improve the delivery of justice across the nation.

Approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in June before the adjournment of the 19th Congress, the Judiciary Fiscal Autonomy Act was signed into law by President Marcos in Malacañang Thursday morning, Aug. 14.

“This is a proud day for our justice system. Sa pagbibigay ng tunay na fiscal autonomy sa ating judiciary, mas pinalalakas natin ang kanilang mandato sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon nang may sapat na resources para makapagsilbi nang maayos sa ating mga kababayan,” said Romualdez, who personally witnessed the signing.

(By granting true fiscal autonomy to our judiciary, we strengthen their mandate under the Constitution with sufficient resources to properly serve our fellow citizens.)

“It is a vital step to ensure that our courts are equipped, empowered, and shielded from undue influence, in full service of the rule of law," added the Leyte 1st district congressman and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.

The new law clearly defines the scope and extent of the judiciary’s fiscal independence, guaranteeing that its appropriations will not be reduced below the previous year’s level and that funds will be automatically and regularly released after congressional approval.

Romualdez, one of the principal authors of the measure in the House, underscored its significance in bolstering the judiciary as a co-equal branch of government.

“This is one of my advocacies in the 19th Congress, for the judiciary to have fiscal autonomy. Para makakilos ng mas malaya ang ating mga korte’t hukom habang tumatayong sandigan ng hustisya para sa ating mga kababayan (So that our courts and judges can act more freely while serving as pillars of justice for our fellow citizens),” he said.

The Speaker also expressed gratitude to President Marcos for supporting and signing the measure into law, noting that it reflects the administration’s commitment to a stronger and more independent judiciary.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo kay Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang suporta at sa pagkilala sa kahalagahan ng judiciary sa pagpapanatili ng rule of law (We thank President Marcos for his support and for recognizing the importance of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law),” Romualdez said.

Under the law, the Supreme Court (SC) will submit its annual budget proposal directly to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), with the original proposal attached to the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The DBM may issue comments and recommendations, but approved appropriations must be released automatically without the need for additional requests or conditions.

The measure grants the Chief Justice the authority to augment budget items from savings, reallocate allotments within projects, and modify fund distribution between operating units—powers that Speaker Romualdez said will enable the judiciary to respond swiftly to operational needs and improve efficiency in court services.

Another key feature is the creation of the Judiciary Trust Fund, replacing the Judiciary Development Fund. This new trust fund will pool all legal fees, existing funds, and interest income for the judiciary’s exclusive use, giving it greater capacity to finance operations and improvements without relying solely on annual appropriations.

The Supreme Court is likewise authorized to reorganize its administrative structure, create new offices, and decentralize operations to bring court management closer to litigants. It may also determine the number and positions of court personnel, set compensation levels within budget limits, and ensure competitive pay to attract and retain qualified staff.