Pinoy Workers Party-list Rep. Karl Fernandez Legazpi cited the experience of his late father, former Palawan judge Leopoldo Mario Legazpi, as he expressed support for a proposed measure seeking expanded retirement and survivorship benefits for members of the judiciary.
Speaking during the June 1 hearing of the House Committee on Justice, Legazpi said the bill would help protect judges and their families from financial hardship, particularly those forced to retire early because of illness, disability, or work-related risks.
The lawmaker recalled how his father, who served as judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 49 in Palawan, was compelled to leave the judiciary due to serious health conditions and was unable to benefit from protections similar to those being proposed under the measure.
“My father, Judge Leo Legazpi of RTC Branch 49 in Palawan, suffered many personal illnesses and unfortunately, because of his health condition, he was forced to retire early, but he was not able to avail the privileges that are being pushed for in this bill,” Legazpi said.
According to Legazpi, the proposed legislation would ensure that future judges facing circumstances similar to his father’s would receive adequate support and that their families would continue to be protected even after retirement.
“Hopefully in the future, when judges suffer the same fate as my father—for reasons of health or because of the risks associated with their work—the benefits that they will receive from this bill will help them continue supporting their families. In case anything happens to them, the judiciary will be able to continue providing support,” he added.
Legazpi said the proposal recognizes the sacrifices made by judges in administering justice and seeks to provide them with greater financial security and peace of mind after years of public service.
The Pinoy Workers Party-list has consistently supported measures aimed at improving benefits and protections for Filipino workers, including those serving in the judiciary.
The bill under consideration was authored by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez, Gerville Luistro, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Ramon Jolo Revilla III, Christopherson Yap, and Eric Go Yap. Legazpi also signified his intention to co-sponsor the measure during committee deliberations.
