Court lifts TRO on Nueva Vizcaya budget

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Hundreds of provincial government employees here can again expect their salaries on time after the regional trial court (RTC) partially lifted its temporary restraining order on the provincial budget, especially those covering their salaries, last Friday.

Judge Rogelio Corpuz of Bayombong RTC Branch 27 lifted the TRO he earlier had issued directing the provincial government to “cease and desist” in implementing the P786-million provincial budget.

“We are actually thankful that the petitioners immediately realized their mistake when they sought clarification on the TRO. This was just a face-saving measure on their part since they did not realize the sweeping nature of their petition for TRO which the judge, in fairness, had granted them,” Vice Gov. Jose Gambito said.

Earlier, nine of the 13-member provincial board had filed a petition questioning the legality of the passage of the provincial budget. The court later issued the TRO that essentially enjoined the provincial government from utilizing its budget.

As a result, the operations of the provincial government ground to a halt, cutting off its power and water supplies and hampering financial assistance, particularly for emergency operations.